CHECK FOR NASTIES
Since the inception of our plastic surgery practice – PSA UK – in 1985 and Medico Beauty Ltd, our professionals have been working at the forefront of patient services in the arena of plastic, reconstructive, aesthetic surgery, anti-ageing wellness and cosmetic medicine. Regardless of which element or discipline of our work, skin health and tissue viability has been central to our endeavours.
Central to our endeavours is the important work which we conduct in the early detection and management of skin cancers such as melanoma. We have assisted in many patient events over the years in the area of our skin work, but sadly, we have also seen some tragic events, when the detection of skin cancer was too late and our patients did not beat it.
Following every single tragic event, what remains with us is that a death did not have to happen. The knock on effect of such events has strengthened our resolve nonetheless to continue to do our best to inform, teach and educate our patients and to play our role in sending our skin health messages to all our patients and anyone else who is listening.
Early detection of skin cancers – particularly melanomas – is crucial to treatment. “You can help protect yourself with regular at-home body inspections”, according to our senior plastic surgeon Awwad M. Awwad. “Ultimately, being proactive alleviates anxiety,” he says.
His top tip to all our patients is to do regular inspections. He advises to check all of your moles about every six months, especially if you have lots of them or have a personal or family history of skin cancer. Our aesthetic dermatology experts see all their patients once a year for a routine full-body check and as of this May 1st 2011, all patients will be able to have a complimentary advanced facial skin health consultation using our new Reveal digital technology as well.
The second piece of advice that Mr Awwad is giving is that you should “get to know your moles. Know their location, size and colour.
He advises you all to look for new or changing moles. It is normal to develop new moles into your early 20s, but not beyond that age, he says.
Pay attention to any new growths or moles that have changed in size, colour or shape, One practical and easy way to be vigilant is to take annual pictures. That is so easy those days given the fact that we all have amazing cameras in our mobile phones. If you have lots of moles, keeping up with potential changes is difficult, but one good idea that works well is to take photographs every six to 12 months; save and date the images on a computer and review as needed. Merlene at the practice, advises patients on how to download Picasso free of charge to make it all completely uncomplicated! By doing so, you can detect what is normal and what is not and eliminate a “scary” mole when you discover on review that it has always been there – or that it is in fact new.
When it comes to how to detect when a mole is not safe, our rule of thumb is; “Beware of pink or black”. Normal moles and other benign skin growths are typically varying shades of tan to brown. Melanomas may be black or less commonly pink, while other skin cancers tend to be pink and are often scaly.
Finally, check “hidden” spots. Ask a partner or friend to check your back. We also advise that you not to overlook places such as the soles of your feet. You can always quote me and remember that skin cancers can appear even in areas where the sun don’t shine!
We offer advice and advanced skin services, so if you notice a pink or black lesion, you are welcome to contact us on our skin health Hotline by calling Helen on: Tel: 020 74605663 or Tel: 020 73419972. Alternatively, you can email us an enquiry: enquiries@psauk.org