Jackson College has partnered with Henry Ford Allegiance Health to offer Jackson College students and employees medical care evaluation and treatment from the clinic’s caring staff. A licensed nurse practitioner and technical staff will be in the office to see patients, make diagnosis and assessment, prescribe medications or make referrals. |
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HEALTH CLINIC Whiting Hall, Room 111 517.990.1374 www.jccmi.edu/health-clinic |
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HOURS - Summer 2019
Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States with over 5 million diagnosed cases each year (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 2018). Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation can also come from tanning beds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2019). There are different forms of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form. There is also squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and lastly melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2019). The good news is that most skin cancer can be cured when it is found and treated early. This May take time to evaluate your risk of skin cancer and work to prevent it in the future. |
• | More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2019). | • | One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70 (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2019). | • | Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes (CDC, 2019). | • | Even if it is cool and cloudy, you still need protection from UV rays (CDC, 2019). | • | The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated at around 8.1 billion: about 4.8 billion for non-melanoma skin cancers and 3.3 billion for melanoma (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2019). | • | The most common signs of skin cancer are changes to your skin, such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in a mole (CDC, 2019). | |
Tips to protect yourself: • | Seek shade, especially during peak sun hours (10 a.m. through 4 p.m.) | • | Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher | • | Re-apply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, especially if you are sweating or swimming | • | Wear sunglasses, hats (wide brim that shades the face, head, ears and neck) and clothing that covers your arms or legs | • | Avoid tanning beds | • | Examine your skin regularly | • | See dermatologist (skin doctor) at least once year for a professional skin examination (CDC, 2019) | |
The skin cancer foundation (2019) recommends that everyone practice a monthly head-to-toe self-examination of their skin. Look at your skin in a well-lit room in front of a full-length mirror. Use a hand-held mirror to look at areas that are hard to see. This is so you can find any new or changing lesions or moles that may be cancerous or precancerous. Skin cancers that are found early are always the most curable. Use the “ABCDE rule” to look for some of the common signs of skin cancer • | A for Asymmetry: One part of a mole or birthmark doesn’t match the other. | • | B for Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. | • | C for Color: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue. | • | D for Diameter: The spot is larger than ¼ inch across – about the size of a pencil eraser. | • | E for Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color. | Not all skin cancers look like these descriptions, though, so point out anything you’re concerned about to your doctor. That would include: • | Any new spots | • | Any spot that doesn’t look like others on your body | • | Any sore that doesn’t heal | • | Redness or new swelling beyond the border of a mole | • | Itching, pain, or tenderness | • | Oozing, scaliness, or bleeding | |
Education about the importance of sun protection and early skin cancer detection through skin cancer awareness month is imperative. The result of education and prevention tools can save countless lives by detecting skin cancers in their earliest, most treatable stage. The hope is that through awareness encouraged by families to adopt good habits together, like wearing sunscreen and limiting sun time this will prevent sun related skin cancers from even occurring. |
American Cancer Society (ACS) (2018). How to spot skin cancer. Retrieved April 25th 2019, from https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/how-to-spot-skin-cancer.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019). Cancer prevention and control. Retrieved April 25th 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/skincancer/index.htm Skin Cancer Foundation (2019). May is skin cancer awareness mont. Retrieved April 25th 2019, from https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (2018). Skin cancer prevention month. Retrieved April 25th 2019, https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/MayToolkit2.aspx |
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