HJAR Jul/Aug 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JUL / AUG 2022 53 J. Camilo Barreto, MD, FACS Complex Surgical Oncologist CARTI and targeted therapy. Immunotherapy is an exciting area of progress in oncology, as it involves drugs that activate a patient’s own immune cells to target the cancer cells. During my time in the field of surgical oncology, I have seen the whole spectrum of skin cancers — from those who get regu- lar dermatological checkups who come in with highly treatable skin cancers to people living in remote areas with little access to healthcare who, sadly, present with ad- vanced lesions that have spread by the time they come in for treatment. Practicing good skin care is a year-round endeavor, but our exposure is greater during the summer. So, put these practical tips into place and be an advocate for yourself and for others. n J. Camilo Barreto, MD, FACS, performs complex surgical oncological procedures, including gastrointestinal cancer resections, and hepato- pancreato-biliary surgery. He has extensive experience performing theWhipple procedure, liver tumor resection, and lymphadenectomies. He is a fellow of The American College of Surgeons and the American Board of Surgery. He studied at the Anahuac University School of Medicine and the National Institute of Medical Sciences,both of Mexico City,and the University of ChicagoMedical Center.His fellowships include surgical oncology at the University of ChicagoMedical Center,minimally invasive surgery at theMayo Clinic,and general surgery at theNational Institute of Medical Sciences in Mexico City. 4. Mirror check — before or after a shower, at least once a month, do a quickmirror check. If you see changes to a mole or a new spot developing on your skin, make a plan to see a dermatologist. 5. Schedule a checkup — the old saying is true, “the cobbler’s son has no shoes.” As healthcare professionals, we often do not take the time to give ourselves self-care. So, schedule regular visits with a dermatologist for a checkup, es- pecially if you have a history of heavy sun exposure anytime in your lifetime or history of skin cancer in your family. When you do a full skin exam, it is im- portant to remember that skin cancers, par- ticularly melanoma, can occur in unusual places such as the scalp, palms, soles of feet and under nails. Melanoma, while typically darker in color, can less commonly look like a pink or flesh lesion. Any skin lesions that are changing or growing should be checked. While the treatment of early or low risk lesions remains surgical excision, in the last 15 years, there has been a revolution in how advanced skin cancers are treated. Each year, there are new medications developed that are more effective and less toxic to treat people with advanced skin cancers, specifi- cally new treatments called immunotherapy “While sun exposure is not the only risk factor in developing skin cancer, it is the most common. The more sunburns one gets in life can have a direct correlation on their chance for developing cancer.” While sun exposure is not the only risk factor in developing skin cancer, it is the most common. The more sunburns one gets in life can have a direct cor- relation on their chance for developing cancer. Other risk factors include expo- sure to chemicals, heredity, people with immunosuppression, age, and gender. Men are more likely to have skin cancer. The two most common types of skin cancers are non-melanoma, which in- cludes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, which oc- curs in the pigment-producing cells of the body called melanocytes. There are also other very rare types of skin cancer, like Merkel cell carcinoma or skin sar- comas. Prevention and early detection are key when it comes to skin cancers. Here are five things you can do this summer to help protect your skin. 1. Wear sunscreen — it really is a very simple, daily step we can all take that pays big dividends. I recommend an SPF of 30 or higher to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Do not forget to reapply sunscreen every few hours especially if engaging in activities such as swimming, running, or cycling. 2. Avoid sunbathing — sure, we crave some vitamin D after working so many hours indoors, but cover your skin with loose fitting clothing and utilize shade from trees or an umbrel- la. While direct sun exposure is best for producing vitamin D, you should get enough exposure just from be- ing outdoors to help elevate levels. 3. Hats — use them to protect your face and neck from sun exposure.