BOG-Official-2023
BOG-Official-2023

skin cancer atlanta

Healthy Aging Month at Abraham Family Medicine

Healthy Aging Month at Abraham Family MedicineMaintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, but especially for older people who may have a higher risk of developing chronic disease or medical conditions. As we age and habits form over the years, it can seem difficult to make alterations to the way of life we may be used to. But here at Abraham Family Medicine, we believe that it’s never too late to start making better choices and living your best life. So in honor of Healthy Aging Month this September, our healthcare providers have dropped by to provide a few tips for how patients can take care of themselves to help age gracefully.

Take Care of Your Bones

Our bones naturally become thinner and more brittle as we age, putting us at risk for falls that can easily result in broken bones. Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones are unable to absorb nutrients like calcium for strength, becomes far more common as well. Women are especially vulnerable to this due to changes that occur in the body after menopause. Vitamin D and muscle-strengthening exercises can help you avoid potential injury by making you less likely to fall.

Take Care of Your Heart

Heart disease is the most common cause of death annually in the US. As we age, our risk of developing heart disease only increases. That’s why it’s so important to maintain a healthy, heart-friendly diet and remain physically active to help reduce the risk. Try taking a daily walk and eating beans and other foods that are high in fiber that can be good for both digestive and heart health. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding junk food, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and exercising for at least 150 minutes every week.

Take Care of Your Mind

Much like the body, the mind requires extra care and maintenance for older patients. Aging can cause changes in our memories, cognitive abilities, reflexes, and even our senses. Slight forgetfulness, as well as more severe cases of dementia, becomes more and more common. But there are a number of ways to work out your mind in order to help keep it sharp as the years go on. It’s important to stay social later in life. Take a class, learn a new skill that challenges your brain, volunteer your time, see old friends and family; socializing helps. Occupying your mind with puzzles and other games can also be very beneficial. Physical exercise can also help retain cognitive function as we age. Making lists and creating a daily routine can assist with organization.

Take Care of Your Skin

It’s only natural for skin to begin to sag and wrinkle over time. However, years of exposure to the Sun’s UV rays can lead to sun damage, or even skin cancer. It’s more essential than ever to protect yourself with sunscreen, avoid overexposure to the Sun, and make regular appointments with a dermatologist.

While they can certainly be beneficial for patients trying to maintain a clean bill of health, these lifestyle alterations are just a small part of staying healthy as we age. In addition to making these changes, it’s important to regularly check in with the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine for check-ups and diagnostic testing to confirm that you are every bit as healthy as you feel and to help prevent minor ailments from potentially becoming more serious. We work with a number of older patients with a variety of ailments ranging from dementia to melanoma. Our providers can also recommend specialists for conditions that cannot be treated at our office. For more information or to schedule your appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson.

Melanoma Prevention Tips for the Summer Season

Melanoma Prevention Tips for the Summer SeasonDuring the summer season it’s only natural to enjoy the lovely weather and all of your favorite outdoor activities. However, too much time in the sun can take a toll on your health and well-being, resulting in damaged skin and increasing your risk of skin cancer (also known as melanoma). Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US and it affects people of all ages. According to estimates from the American Academy of Dermatology, roughly 20% of all Americans will develop a melanoma in their lifetime.

Thankfully, unlike many other types of cancer, experts consider almost 90% of all skin cancer cases to be preventable. Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays is the leading cause of skin cancer, and although we obviously don’t recommend avoiding sunlight entirely, there are steps you can take to help minimize your risk of developing melanoma, regardless of your age.

  • Apply sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin daily, even on cloudy days.
    • Make sure to find a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays and has a SPF of at least 30.
    • Apply sunscreen approximately 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply as needed.
  • Be careful during peak sunshine hours (typically between 10am and 4pm).
    • Try to schedule outdoor activities outside of these hours if possible and find time to seek shade when you can.
  • Avoid tanning beds and other forms of artificial UV rays.
    • Tanning beds and sun lamps give off UV rays similar to those of the sun.
    • Using them can lead to long-term skin damage and dramatically increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
    • This is especially true for people who begin using them before they turn 30.
  • Perform regular self-examinations for moles and other marks that may appear as a result of overexposure to the sun.
    • Seek out the advice of one of our healthcare providers if you notice something irregular during your self-exam.
  • Be extra careful with children.
    • Young kids typically spend more time outside and have sensitive skin that can burn more easily.
    • Parents should teach kids about the dangers of too much sun exposure and get them into the habit of applying sunscreen and following the other guidelines stated above.

The summer can still be a time for enjoying the outdoor activities we all love, and by understanding how to limit the risk of skin cancer, we can hopefully all enjoy the summertime a little more safely. For more information on skin cancer or general health and wellness, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today to schedule an appointment. Our office is located in outisde of Atlanta, GA in Snellville, not far from Grayson.

The Importance of Sun Protection

The Importance of Sun ProtectionGeorgia can get pretty warm in the summer and as we make plans to pack up and head to the nearest mountains, amusement parks, pools, and beaches – there’s no better time than the present to share some knowledge on the importance of sun protection. With May marking Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the Abraham Family & Geriatric Medicine providers want to make sure our patients are properly educated about skin cancer prevention not just this month, but all year long. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and while it’s the most preventable form, our skin is regularly exposed to the sun and therefore more susceptible to the dangers of developing skin cancer. The importance of sun protection to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun is even more vital these days and we encourage you to keep reading to find out why!

Skin cancer is caused by an abnormal growth of skin cells that appear on the outer layers of skin and prompted by prolonged exposure to harmful UV radiation of the sun, whether you’re riding in the car or playing an outdoor sport. Men and women of all ages and skin tones/types can develop skin cancer and since it does not discriminate, it means that every single one of us is at risk. There are three main types of skin cancer:

  • Basal Cell Carcinoma: Known as the easiest form of skin cancer to treat (as it seldom advances, unless left untreated), basal cells most commonly form on the face, head, neck, and/or shoulders. They can have a pearly look to them and sometimes bleed or crust, making them look like sores that haven’t quite healed properly.
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This type of skin cancer creates reddish, scaly/thick patches of skin. Squamous cells can be found on just about any part of the body that is exposed to sun the most.
  • Melanoma: Melanoma is the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer as one person dies from this form every hour. Spots affected with melanoma appear as black or brown lesions and can quickly change in shape, size, color, and elevation on the skin – on top of that, if left untreated, it can rapidly spread to other parts of the body (and in rare cases can even appear on unexposed areas like internal organs and on the eyes themselves).

The tricky part of skin cancer is that it can sometimes disguise itself on the skin in the form of resembling common freckles or moles. Not all sun-related spots lead to cancer but they can mask progressing skin cancer if left undetected, so we recommend patients start with a self-body exam at home to familiarize themselves with blemishes that exist and make them more apt to noticing any changes that occur over time. New spots are going to still appear as we get older and that’s okay, it’s just when those new, or even pre-existing spots, start to change in shape, color, and size that it should be examined. It can be hard to know just which spots on your body have been there already and which are new, so the best way to eliminate any chances of underlying skin cancer concerns is by scheduling annual skin cancer body checks with your provider.

Prevention from the start is your best defense against skin cancer. Keys tips for protecting your skin include:

  • Wearing sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 any time you’re outdoors
  • Always reapplying sunscreen after sweating and being in water
  • Avoiding the sun when it’s at its strongest – generally between 10am and 4pm
  • Avoiding indoor tanning beds (Did you know that according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, just 10 or more visits to the tanning bed in a lifetime increases your risk by 34%?)
  • Wearing light, protective clothing like long sleeves and pants
  • Covering the face by wearing wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses whenever exposed to direct sunlight because even parts of the eyes can develop skin cancer
  • Scheduling annual body checks for the entire family

In the event skin cancer is detected, a skin cancer treatment plan will be planned with your provider based on your individual case and needs. We offer a variety of skin cancer treatments at our practice that quickly and effectively target skin cancer before it gets advanced and potentially life-threatening. If you’re interested in scheduling a skin cancer check or learning more about our services and treatments, don’t hesitate to contact Abraham Family & Geriatric Medicine today.

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