Members of our Temple Dermatology team, including Dr. Hsu (center) and Dr. Sussman-McCrea (far right).
A Temple Health physician provides a free skin cancer screening at our recent event at TUH-Main Campus, hosted by Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital and Temple Dermatology.
We all have lumps and bumps on our skin, but it can be difficult to know what’s harmless and what’s cause for concern. That’s why Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital and Temple Dermatology recently hosted a free skin cancer screening for our patients, community members, and employees at TUH-Main Campus.
Dermatologists Sylvia Hsu, MD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, and Morgan Sussman-McCrea, MD offered comprehensive skin checks to attendees with no appointments required.
“This is the second free skin cancer screening we’ve hosted,” says Oncology Patient Navigator Melissa Hutchison, OPN-CG. “Last time, we screened 74 people in two and a half hours. We were able to find five or six basal cell carcinomas and bring those people in for follow-up screenings and treatment. It was such a success that we knew we had to do it again.”
While one in five Americans will receive a skin cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, many varieties, like basal and squamous cell carcinoma, respond well to treatment. “But the key is catching them early,” explains Dr. Sussman-McCrea, who planned the event with Hutchinson. “If they aren’t detected, they can grow very large and have significant morbidities. I always tell people, ‘If you’re worried about something, or you have a family history of skin cancer, or you just have a question, come right in.’”
Dr. Sussman-McCrea and Dr. Hsu examine a patient at the screening
That’s why regular checks—whether self-administered or done by others—are so important. “When you come in for a screening, it gives you a baseline for what’s going on with your skin,” Dr. Sussman-McCrea explains. “That way, if you notice anything new in the future, you can be sure it wasn’t there before. I always tell people to watch for the ugly duckling sign, or a mole that doesn’t look like the others. You should also pay attention to wounds that don’t heal, bumps that never go away, and anything that bleeds without you touching it.”
You can also enlist others to help you monitor hard-to-reach areas. “I always say to patients, ‘Do you get your hair cut? Ask your hairdresser to check for lumps and bumps on your scalp,’” Dr. Sussman-McCrea says. “‘And when you go to the dentist, have them take a close look at your face.’ Gynecologists are a great resource for female patients, too.”
Dr. Sussman-McCrea also stresses the importance of staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen, even for patients with darker skin. “Having even the highest level of melanin in your skin gives you very little natural SPF,” she explains.
Dr. Hsu examines a Temple Health employee’s face at the screening.
But if you haven’t always stayed out of the sun—or the tanning bed, for that matter—she wants you to know that the best time to change is now. “It’s never too late,” Dr. Sussman-McCrea says. “It’s just so important to protect yourself. That’s why we hold these events, and why we pride ourselves on being accessible. At TUH-Main Campus, Temple Dermatology takes walk-ins and same-day appointments. We’re opening a Dermatology office at Jeanes Campus in May, and we’re also looking to expand to Chestnut Hill Hospital. We love being there for our community, and we’re always here if you need us.”
