An article from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Source: www.skincancer.org

People who have had the nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) basal and squamous cell carcinoma (BCC and SCC) are approximately twice as likely as other people to develop non-skin cancers, according to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The findings are of particular concern because NMSC is the world's most common malignancy, with over a million cases diagnosed every year in the US alone. Currently, it's estimated that one in five Americans will develop NMSC at some point in their lives. About 90 percent of these cancers are associated with exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. While NMSCs have very high cure rates when caught early, they should not be taken lightly, as this study shows.

Researchers led by Anthony J. Alberg, PhD, of the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, studied demographic and health information from 19,174 patients in the Maryland-based CLUE (Give us a Clue to Cancer and Heart Disease) II study, from 1989 though 2005. Some 769 patients in the study were diagnosed with NMSC, and by the end of 2005, 181 of these patients, or about 23 percent, had developed another form of (non-skin-related, or noncutaneous) cancer. In contrast, only about 12 percent of people (2156 of 18,405) who did not have NMSC were subsequently diagnosed with a noncutaneous cancer. Researchers took variables such as cigarette smoking and skin type (susceptibility to sunburn and blistering) into account. Nonetheless, those with NMSC had about twice the risk of developing noncutaneous cancers as those who did not have NMSC. Researchers also found that the earlier the age at diagnosis of NMSC, the more likely participants were to develop noncutaneous cancers.

The full implications of this research are not yet known, but while nonmelanoma skin cancers are rarely life-threatening, they can be highly disfiguring if not caught early, and it is well known that having a history of NMSC means you are also at increased risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, which claims more than 8200 lives a year in the US. If you have had an NMSC, you are at higher risk of developing not only future NMSCs and melanomas, but also other, potentially dangerous cancers. Routine screening for both skin cancers and non-skin cancers is thus advisable.

Facts about Dr. Moore's Dedication to Education

Ever since Dr. Moore began practicing medicine years ago, he has always placed a high priority on education. He strives to continually educate himself, as well as the community and physicians around him. The following are just a few of the ways that Dr. Moore displays his dedication to education: 

• Dr. Moore has been active in training medical students and area doctors for over 10 years.

• He has been dedicated to lecturing to primary care providers since the first year of his practice which includes over 10 consecutive years of educating Elkhart area physicians.

• He has educated IU Goshen hospital physicians and providers through lecture for years.

• Dr. Moore was one of the first to step up and provide a lecture to the Beacon Medical Group after its merger.

• He is the Editor of the medical newsletter ‘DermacenterMD Dermwise’ sent to over 500 regional physicians with educational material to enhance the awareness and knowledge about dermatology issues and conditions.  This publication he writes, edits and pays to send out as part of his program to enhance dermatology care in Michiana.

• Dr. Moore has lectured the Indiana University Medical students, taking time out of his clinic to travel to their onsite campus.

• He has provided rotation opportunities to Indiana University Medical Students.

• Dr. Moore has also provided clerkship rotations for other medical schools, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and even Family Practice doctors. 

• He has developed and marketed an entire company to educate a variety of providers with his DERMWISE, 12 week ‘Quick Start Online Dermatology Training’ program.  This program has even earned the highest rating of CME entitled Category 1.  

Meet the newest edition to our Dermatology Family!

Josh Holowinski, NP

Josh has joined the DermacenterMD dermatology family as a Nurse Practitioner. He is from Nashville, TN and holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Middle Tennessee State University, a master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in Nursing from Boston College. Before he obtained his education, he served in the Marine Corps as an infantry squad leader during deployments to the Middle East, Japan and the Philippines.

In 2009, Josh secured a position at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he helped to carry out research studies on numerous conditions including gluten intolerance, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PCOS and ALS. Josh brings with him a wealth of knowledge and education to DermacenterMD, and he aspires to incorporate his background in dietetics with his training in dermatology in order to take patient care to a new level. In the next few months, Josh will work closely with Dr. Moore in the management of dermatologic conditions. His training at DermacenterMD includes the Dermwise training program developed by Dr. Moore. He will be shadowing Dr. Moore and learning all there is to know about being a team member at DermacenterMD.

Welcome to our dermatology family, Josh!

If you suffer from mild to severe rosacea there are certain lifestyle changes that can be implemented to help decrease flare ups and keep symptoms to a minimum. These aggravating factors may or may not affect your flare ups, but if you find that they do, it may be a good idea to avoid or reduce these activities in the future.  

1. Sun exposure-

It is important to protect your skin from the sun using daily sunscreen and wearing a hat to shield your skin. Even a small amount of sun exposure can cause rosacea to flare. 

2. Hot liquids-

Many people with rosacea report having flare ups when they ingest hot liquids such as coffee or teas. Try your coffee or tea iced for a period of time and see if your symptoms improve or subside.

3. Spicy Foods-

Avoiding spicy foods may also improve symptoms of rosacea. Often times, the spike in body temperature induced by spicy foods is thought to cause flare ups.

4. Emotional Upset-

Feelings of stress, anger or embarrassment are thought to make rosacea symptoms worse.

5. Seasonal Changes-

Changes in the weather can also affect flare ups. According to a new National Rosacea Society (NRS) patient survey, nearly 90% of 852 survey respondents said their rosacea is affected by the change in seasons.

6. Alcohol-

Having a glass of wine at the end of a stressful day sounds relaxing, but if you suffer from rosacea it may cause flushing to become worse. The reason for this is unknown, however, alcohol does not cause rosacea despite pervious popular belief.

7. Temperature Extremes-

Extreme hot and cold can cause flare ups of rosacea to be more frequent. If you must be exposed to extreme temperatures, try to stay covered up or stay cool to keep your body temperature as regular as possible.

8. Strenuous exercise-

Exercise has been reported to increase flare ups and cause flushing. Taking it easy can be beneficial to thwart symptoms.

9. Hot baths or saunas-

Once again, avoiding extremes in temperatures such as hot showers or baths can help reduce flushing. Maintaining a regular body temperature can help reduce flare ups.

10. Drugs that dilate blood vessels, including some blood pressure medications-

Rosacea affects the blood vessels of the face and any drug that dilates blood vessels can increase irritation and flushing.

Making simple lifestyle changes like avoiding certain aggravating factors, such as the ones listed above, can help to reduce your symptoms and flare ups. However, going in to see your dermatologist can be the best choice. Your dermatologist can evaluate your skin and determine the best course of action for treatment. Many perscription topicals can provide significant improvement .

If you or someone you care about suspects rosacea, give our office a call today for a full skin evaluation. 

574.522.0265

No referral neceassary. 

Dermatologists are the most highly trained skin specialists in all of medicine.

Board certified dermatologist often have a four year undergraduate degree, then they go through four years of medical school and finally complete a 4 year residency in dermatology  (most have completed 12 years of school).  The board certification process entails passing a rigorous examination as well as maintaining appropriate continuing education credits.

The dermatology residency program is one of the most competitive positions in the medical field, therefore a dermatologist is often one of the top students in the medical school academically.

The residency training to become a dermatologist is rigorous and challenging.  It consists of hands on time in the clinic and subspecialty clinics for dermatology, academic lectures, case presentations, research, skin surgery rotations and quite a bit of study time (as there are over 2,800 skin conditions).  

Dermatologists are trained in most every aspect of the skin, hair and nails.  

Requirements for mastery of topics include interpretation and diagnosis of skin diseases, the pathology of skin diseases and also diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.   Some dermatologists attain advanced training and certification in the most advanced treatment modality for skin cancer, termed Mohs Micrographic Surgery.  This advanced technique is used almost exclusively by dermatologists because it requires in-depth knowledge in pathology of the skin as well as advanced skin surgical training. 

No other area of medicine is as highly trained in diagnosis and treatment of skin problems or skin cancer.

At DermacenterMD we are proud to offer the services of a board certified dermatologist, Dr. Roger Moore, who is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology as well as the American Society of Mohs Surgery.  Dr. Moore is the first to provide Mohs Micrographic Surgery to Elkhart County and continues to be a leader in cosmetic, medical and surgical dermatology.   In addition, he has been volunteer faculty at Indiana University School of Medicine and hosted dermatology and family practice residents for lectures and rotations.   He is also the founder and president of Dermwise, Inc., a company designed to provide dermatology education to those who are not dermatologists. 

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Moore please give our office a call at 574-522-0265 today.