Melanoma only affects 4 percent of those diagnosed with skin cancer, but it accounts for 79 percent of all skin cancer related deaths.

Anyone who has overexposure to the sun, regardless of skin color, has a higher risk for melanoma.

Individuals with blond or red hair, and fair complexion have the highest risk for melanoma. Also if you experienced excessive sun exposure during your childhood and teen years or have a family history of melanoma, you should have a skin cancer-related checkup.

The American Cancer Society recommends a checkup every three years for people between 20 and 40 years of age, and every year for anyone 40 and older.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common cancer of the skin.

Patients with fair complexions who frequently sun bathe or use tanning beds are most likely to be affected. Some SCC's arise from small sandpaper-like precancerous lesions called actinic leratoses. About 20% of these precancers can evolve into the earliest for of SCC which may present as a warty-growth or a sore that bleeds.

They are generally found in sun-exposed area like the face, neck, arms, scalp, backs of the hands and ears. Any lesion, especially those that do not heal, grow, bleed, or change appearance, should be evaluated by a dermatologist. it is possible for SCC to spread to other areas of the body; therefore early treatment is important. A skin biopsy for microscopic examination may be done to conform the diagnosis. Mohs surgery which I perform and recommend for certain types of skin cancer, can be used to remove the tumor while sparing as much skin as possible.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common cancer of the skin.

Patients with fair complexions who frequently sun bathe or use tanning beds are most likely to be affected. Some SCC's arise from small sandpaper-like precancerous lesions called actinic leratoses. About 20% of these precancers can evolve into the earliest for of SCC which may present as a warty-growth or a sore that bleeds.

They are generally found in sun-exposed area like the face, neck, arms, scalp, backs of the hands and ears. Any lesion, especially those that do not heal, grow, bleed, or change appearance, should be evaluated by a dermatologist. it is possible for SCC to spread to other areas of the body; therefore early treatment is important. A skin biopsy for microscopic examination may be done to conform the diagnosis. Mohs surgery which I perform and recommend for certain types of skin cancer, can be used to remove the tumor while sparing as much skin as possible.

Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes which are found predominantly ion skin. it is a serious type of skin cancer that causes the majority of skin cancer related deaths.

Although fair skinned individuals are most commonly affected, darker skinned patients who tan easily can develop melanoma as well. It is due to uncontrolled growth of pigment cells called melanocytes.

Despite many years of intensive laboratory and clinical research, the sole effective cure is surgical resection of the primary tumor before it achieves a thickness greater than 1mm.

Malignant melanoma accounts for 75 percent of all deaths associated with skin cancer.

Other options include immunotherapy, chemotherapy treatment, or radiation therapy.

I carefully examine all my patients from head to toe using a unique polarized light to help determine if the mole is suspicious or not.

Traditional therapies have relied upon both topical and oral antibiotics. At O'Donoghue Dermatology - we prefer a more natural approach. We start many of our acne and rosacea patients on a specific all natural regimen.

Therapy begins with a homeopathic oral spray which reduces redness, inflammation and breakouts. It is followed by a series of natural, pulsed light treatments that target and can permanently shrink inflamed blood vessels.

This is also combined with a specific diet that avoids the foods most commonly associated with rosacea flares. For more information - or to book a consultation - please contact us today.

If you are a new client - please click on the menu button to the left for a coupon good for a complimentary consulation.

Dr. O'Donoghue includes all four of his acne products in a specially priced kit for Clients in Sarasota and the surrounding areas.

Walk-in Special: Now you can get this 4 Step Program Acne kit for $59.99!

Save $10.00 off the regular price when you pick up your Acne Kit at our office located at 1952 Field Road Sarasota. Kit includes Medicated Acne Cleaner, 10% BPO Acne Gel, SPF 30 Oil Free Sunscreen and Glycolic Antioxidant Toner.

Exerpt from Pre Kindergarten Newsletter
November 19, 2010

..."Our week in Pre K was filled with many special parents and community helpers. Thank you to Morgan Bentley, Blaine's dad, for telling us about being a lawyer and sharing the wooly mammoth story with us. Thank you to Dr. Morgan O'Donoghue, Kevin's dad, for explaining the importance of protecting our skin and what he does as a dermatologist. Thank you for giving us each a bottle of sunscreen."...

Q: Dear Dr. O’Donoghue, Are there any new treatments for acne or rosacea? – Rose, Venice FL.

A: Dear Rose, The traditional therapies have relied upon both topical and oral antibiotics. I prefer a more natural approach, I start many of my acne and rosacea patients on a specific all natural regimen. 

Therapy begins with a homeopathic oral spray which reduces redness, inflammation and breakouts. It is followed by a series of natural, pulsed light treatments that target and can permanently shrink inflamed blood vessels.

This is also combined with a specific diet that avoids the foods most commonly associated with rosacea flares.

Q: Dear Dr. O'Donoghue, I am constantly battling dry, scaly, and itchy skin. How can I treat this? - J.T.

A: Dear J.T.,  Dry skin is the result of an evaporation of water from the upper skin layers. To replace this loss apply thick moisturizers immediately after bathing to wet skin and then gently blot dry, don’t rub. Limit your bathing to no more than 10 minutes daily and avoid very hot water.

Q: Dear Dr. O'Donoghue, I am overwhelmed by all the ads for different wrinkle creams. Is there any one cream that can help improve the skin? - Linda, Englewood, FL

 A: Dear Linda, Despite the multitude of products claiming to help the skin, in my opinion, the best topical cream for improving fine lines, age spots, and texture is retinol.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and research has shown that it enhances moisture retention, increases collagen production and promotes the skins ability to heal. I also feel that it is less irritating than Retin-A. Retinol is now available in elegant concentrated serum in our office.

Q: Dear Dr. O’Donoghue, I had a blood test that says I am vitamin D deficient. I know you can get some Vitamin D from going in the sun, but isn’t that a risky way to get it?

 

A: Dear Julia, You are absolutely correct. As a board certified dermatologist I find serious skin cancers every day that area the result of excessive skin exposure.  For my patients that are Vitamin D Deficient I recommend a diet high in vitamin D milk, cheese and fish.

 

If this is insufficient to correct the deficiency I recommend a supplemental oral vitamin spray that is easy to take and readily absorbed.  Only as a last resort do I recommend someone expose their skin to the harmful rays of the sun,

Q: Dear Dr. O’Donoghue, I see a lot in the news about Botox® – is it safe? – Linda, Boca Raton, FL.

A: Dear Linda,

Over 1.6 million people chose to have Botox® Cosmetic injections in 2008, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology, Botox® is growing faster than any other cosmetic procedure. It is the most safe and effective way to treat lines and wrinkles of the forehead and crows feet. 

It must be administered appropriately by a licensed and professional; individual, so make sure you ask the person performing the procedure how man y patients they have treated, what medical training they have, and what are the possible side effects.

Q: Dear Dr. O’Donoghue, I am overwhelmed by the variety of sunscreens available, which is best?- JP

A: Dear JP – Look for sun blocks that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which are ingredients not easily broken down by the sun.  These also protect your skin from harmful UVA sunrays which are the main cause of melanoma.

 

Encourage Elderly Family Members to Examine Their Skin

Based on current estimates, substantially more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is being diagnosed more rapidly in men age 65 and older than in the general population. A history of exposure to UV rays is a risk factor for skin cancer.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that people lovingly remind their elderly family members to perform a skin self-examination for suspicious moles that could be skin cancer.

The Academy has created several tools to make it easy to determine if a mole is suspicious and should be brought to a dermatologist’s attention. The Academy’s Body Mole Map is a tool individuals can use to track their moles. The map provides information on how to perform a skin exam, images of the ABCDEs of melanoma and space for people to track their moles to determine any changes over time.

Spring Swing – Moffitt’s Sun Safety Tour – is a partnership between the Tampa Bay Rays and Moffitt Cancer Center dedicated to increasing skin cancer awareness, prevention and detection.

Moffitt Cancer Center’s Mole Patrol®  will travel with the Rays during the month of March to provide free skin cancer screenings at select Spring Training games in search of the early signs of skin cancer, promoting sun safety and skin cancer education.

The 2008 campaign kicked off in St. Petersburg on March 1 at Progress Energy Park, home of Al Lang Field. Sam Donaldson (pictured, right), veteran ABC newsman,  melanoma survivor and chairman of Moffitt’s Board of Advisors, threw out the first pitch.

Click here  for more information about the 2009 Spring Swing schedule.

Several of Moffitt’s Affiliate Hospitals will be assisting with the on-site screenings and education initiatives, including:

o Broward Health
o Martin Memorial Health Systems
o Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
o Riverchase Dermatology 

Melanoma Facts

• Florida has the second-most reported cases of melanoma nationwide.

• Skin cancer is one of the most common and fastest growing cancers in the United States.

• Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

• It is estimated that nearly 1 million new cases of skin cancer were diagnosed in 2007, approximately 60,000 of those cases were a form of melanoma.

• Skin cancer can show up anywhere on the body.

• Skin cancer affects all races, ages and genders.

Source:  American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2007

  

Sun Safety Tips

• Avoid unprotected exposure when the sun is at its strongest (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). UV rays pass through clouds and water, so don’t assume you’re safe if it’s not sunny or you’re feeling comfortable in the cool water.

• Check the UV Index for your area before planning a day outside. This number between 1 and 10 is