Cancer Care From Cancer Care From
A Big C diagnosis may not be preventable, but a few simple lifestyle changes can help reduce
your risk. Duke cancer experts suggest some healthy habits that can make a big difference.
SKIN CANCER
"Take care of your body's largest organ: the skin. Use a daily moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or
greater, covering ultraviolet [UV] A and B rays. If you plan to spend more than an hour in the sun,
use a water-resistant product with SPF 30 or greater. Reapply frequently.
"Also, look for warning signs in any mole or new growth on your body. Remember
the ABCDEs: Asymmetric, irregular borders, changes in color, diameter of the lesion
[larger than a pencil eraser] and evolving [changes in an existing lesion]."
—Charles Woodard, MD, facial plastic & reconstructive surgery,
Duke Otolaryngology of Raleigh
HEAD AND NECK CANCER
"The most common type of head and
neck cancer, squamous cell cancer of the
mouth, throat and voice box, is best prevented by
abstaining from smoking, avoiding secondhand
smoke and limiting alcohol consumption. Human
papilloma virus [HPV], a sexually transmitted
disease, can also lead to squamous cell cancer.
Early detection is as important as prevention and
a'ords the best treatment outcomes with the
least side e'ects in terms of a'ecting cosmetic
appearance and functions, such as speech,
swallowing, taste and smell.
"Thyroid cancer is a common
cancer seen in the lower neck.
Patients are at increased risk of
developing thyroid cancer if a
sibling or parent has had it or
if the patient's lower neck has had exposure
to radiation. Lumps in the thyroid gland are
often felt by the patient or physician or are found
'incidentally' when CT or MRI scans are obtained
for other reasons.
"A patient should seek medical evaluation by
an otolaryngologist or head and neck surgeon, if
they experience hoarseness for longer than two
weeks or have a lump in the area in front of the
cheek [parotid gland], neck or thyroid gland for
longer than two weeks. It is best to be seen before
symptoms associated with the lump develop.
These may include hoarseness, change in voice,
di–culty swallowing, one-sided pain deep in the
ear or a lump in the mouth that does not heal.
These signs indicate a more advanced cancer."
—Ray Esclamado, MD, FACS, chief, division of
otolaryngology, head and neck surgery
Head to Toe
