06/12/2008

FROM HEAD TO FOOT

Even if you do regularly examine changes in your skin that are linked to skin cancer, chances are that you do not check your feet. The fact is that, like your arms and face, your feet are regularly exposed to the
sun, especially if you are a woman who wears open-toed shoes. Thus, taking an extra minute to examine your feet when you clip your toenails can prove to be very important. Routine self-examination of the feet can help detect potentially deadly melanoma skin cancer at an early stage, when it is most treatable. Half of people with melanoma of the foot die within five years because the cancer has already spread to other parts of their bodies.

Many people are aware that exposure to the UV rays of the sun can cause skin cancer. If you wear sandals or spend time at the beach barefoot, routinely examine your feet for any unusual spots or moles. Please call ELMHURST DERMATOLOGY at 630-832-2111 to arrange a skin evaluation. Our services include diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and chronic skin diseases. We consider it a privilege to care for you and your family. We
are located at 103 N. Haven, Suite 7, Elmhurst. Most medical insurance, Visa, and MasterCard welcome.


P.S. In cases where melanoma is detected early, 92 percent of patients are still alive after five years.