CHRISTUS St. Vincent - LiveWell

GET THE SCOOP ON SUNSCREEN Anyone older than 6 months who spends time in direct sunlight needs properly applied sunscreen daily. An adult of average size and weight should use at least 1 ounce, or 2 tablespoons, over his or her entire body, adjusting as needed. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and don't just set it and forget it — reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. When choosing your sunscreen, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends looking for: + SPF (sun protection factor) 30 or higher (this includes lip balm, as well) + the broad-spectrum label, which means it protects against UVA and UVB radiation + water-resistant lotions that will hold up to sweat or swimming KNOW THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A GOOD TAN When your skin changes color due to UV radiation, your skin cells have been damaged and you're at risk for cancer. Damage from UV rays can also lead to premature aging, including wrinkles, loose skin and brown spots. It doesn't matter if your tan comes from the sun or from a tanning bed; the harm is the same. Every year, indoor tanning causes more skin cancer diagnoses than smoking-related lung cancer diagnoses. Even if you only go to the tanning bed infrequently, you are still at risk. Indoor tanning just once a year increases your risk of basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, by 10 percent, and using the tanning bed more than six times a year increases your risk by 82 percent. LOOK FOR SUSPICIOUS SPOTS In addition to being vigilant about skin protection, you should check yourself from head to toe at least once a month to look for suspicious moles, lesions or dark spots. Use these tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation to check for signs of melanoma: 1 asymmetry, or not having two matching sides 2 diameter wider than a pencil eraser (or about 1/4 inch) 3 irregular border that is uneven or notched 4 multiple colors on one mole, rather than just one shade Any new or changing growths should be discussed with your primary care doctor. 3 1 4 2 Get a Leg Up on Varicose Veins Varicose veins are enlarged and/or rope-like veins caused by a defective valve in the vein forcing blood to flow backward, pool and weaken vessel walls. Smaller versions of varicose veins, referred to as spider veins, form in the same way and are typically found closer to the skin. Many factors contribute to the occurrence and severity of varicose veins, including age, gender (women are more likely to develop them) and family history. Apart from being unsightly, serious complications are rare but can include ulcers and blood clots. The good news is varicose and spider veins are easier to treat than ever before, resulting in improved vascular health and cosmetic enhancement. At CHRISTUS St. Vincent Surgical Associates, most cases of varicose veins are now treated with a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure called radiofrequency ablation. With this procedure, patients are able to walk immediately following treatment and typically recover within one to two weeks. If you have visible varicose veins or are experiencing symptoms that may indicate a hidden vascular condition, including swelling in the legs or ankles, tight-feeling calves, itchy or painful legs, pain during walking that stops with rest, brown-colored skin near the ankles, or leg ulcers, we can help! Please call us to schedule an evaluation today. Poseidon Varvitsiotis, M.D., PhD Krista Garcia, RN, patient navigator CHRISTUS St. Vincent Surgical Associates (505) 913-3975 phone (505) 986-8001 fax To find a physician near you, visit stvin.org or call (505) 913-3000. LiveWell | Spring 2016 5

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