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Posts for: October, 2015

By DermacenterMD Team
October 26, 2015
Category: Lifestyle
Tags: inspiration   motivation   work   people  

Going to work can be a struggle some days. Sometimes you just don’t feel like facing that long to-do list you know was left waiting for you on your desk. Often times we can get burnt out or discouraged if we feel like we’re not making meaningful progress in our daily tasks. It is important to take time to reflect on the “small wins” that you accomplish at work. This can help you to fell more satisfied with the work you’re completing and cause you to perhaps even become more productive.

In a Harvard Business review article entitled The Power of Small Wins, Teresa Amabile and Steven J. Kramer explain that the key to motivating performance is supporting progress in meaningful work. The authors conducted an experiment where they asked creative professionals to keep a work diary to record their emotions and accomplishments at work. After studying these diaries, they identified the progress principle, which states:

“Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run.”

In order to garner more meaning from the work your do, keep a work diary. It can help you to appreciate just how meaningful and effect the work is that you do. It can help you to see more of the big picture of your career. It will allow you to reflect on what you’ve already accomplished and feel good about that. Take time to appreciate your hard work. You will also be able to focus yourself on what still needs to be accomplished. Try keeping a work journal for a month and take time every week to review what you’ve accomplished. Appreciating the small wins will help you to be more motivated and find meaning in what you do. 


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By Dr. Roger Moore
October 19, 2015
Category: Cancer
Tags: skin cancer   skin   Mohs surgery   lip cancer   health  

Basal cell carcinoma is not an uncommon cancer to occur on the lip. The lips are often overlooked when looking for non-melanoma skin cancers. However, given their highly visible location, the majority of lip cancers are easily detectable and treatable at an early stage. A raised pink or pearly bump on or around the lip can be a possible sign of skin cancer.

Cancer of the lips comprises approximately 0.6 percent of all cancers in the U.S. It is the most common malignant lesion of the oral cavity, constituting 25-30 percent of all oral cavity cancer cases.  Studies have shown that males are 3-13 times more likely to develop lip cancers, likely due to occupation-related sun exposure combined with greater alcohol and tobacco use. The lower lip is approximately 12 times more likely to be affected, because it often incurs more sun exposure. 

The best treatment in delicate areas like this is done with Mohs Micrographic Surgery. With Mohs surgery, less tissue is taken, and therefore there is usually less scarring. This form of treatment also offers up to a 99% cure rate, making it the most effective treatment available for basal cell carcinoma. 


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By Dr. Roger Moore
October 12, 2015
Category: Lifestyle
Tags: Abe Lincoln   life lessons  

What I learned from Abraham Lincoln 

Each one of us makes mistakes, right? Well some of us forget how the other fellow might feel. I once read that if Abraham Lincoln was upset he would write a letter about how he felt and then never send it. He had a general in the Civil War that he instructed to close in on the opposition when they were tired and weak, but the general felt his men were too tired to proceed so he waited. During the wait time, his opponent’s reinforcements surprised them and prevented the Union general from capturing a huge victory. A victory some thought might have ended the war. It was believed that President Lincoln wrote a scathing letter outlining how if the general had just followed through with the recommendations the President had given him, he could have ended the war and saved countless lives. The letter was found later not delivered. You see, by that time in his career, the President had figured out tearing down the man would not help the situation, and the general probably already had been losing sleep over his mistake.

This is much like each of us. We probably beat ourselves up way too often over our mistakes. Most people find it easy to find fault in the other person. I have learned that mourning a bad decision can prevent me from making the next good decision or distract me from creating a more positive situation. Though I am still a work in progress myself, I learn more as I get older. I too realize the good in each person is sure to be there and helping others rather than scolding leads to more positive results.  A pat on the back can help a person blossom like a flower. 


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By Dr. Roger Moore
October 06, 2015
Tags: melanoma   brown spots   moles   liver spots   age spots  

There are many types of brown spots which can occur on the skin.  Typically the term liver spots is used for the flat brown spots which are noted on the back of the hand as one ages.  If they are flat it is often a freckle like spot called a lentigo.  These brown spots are often worsened by sun exposure.  Thus, sunscreen on a daily basis is a must to reduce the darkness of these lesions.  Also, a laser-like therapy called photo rejuvenation can be utilized to help reduce the appearance of discoloration.

Other common brown spots are moles, freckles, and seborrheic keratosis.  Moles can occur anywhere on the body and usually occur in youth and stop occurring after about the age of 30.   Freckles are related to sun exposure as they are noted on the sun exposed sites like the face, shoulders and upper extremities.   They occur in the youth, but may persist into adulthood.  The seborrheic keratosis are waxy brown rough spots which start after the age of 30 and increase in number as we get older.

The worrisome aspect of brown spots is when melanoma, a cancerous growth of the skin, occurs.  For this reason we recommend each person get a skin cancer screening exam once every year.  Most skin cancers have no pain, bleeding or other symptoms in the initial stages, so a visit can catch cancer early.

Call our office today at (574)522-0265 and schedule your skin cancer screening exam.  No referral is needed. We look forward to seeing you and helping to keep you healthy!


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