UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook and Bolingbrook Park District have partnered to raise awareness of two important summer safety issues: drowning prevention and sun protection. Raising awareness of these issues can save a life.
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group’s board-certified family medicine specialist, Madhuri Yemul, MD, outlines tips for staying safe.
Drowning Prevention
Swimming pools are lots of fun, but they can also be dangerous for children. Be sure to enroll your kids in swim lessons early so that they learn water safety and how to keep their heads above water. Remember, even children who know how to swim are still at risk of drowning, so it’s critical that they only swim with adult supervision. As a parent or caregiver, taking a class to learn CPR is important and could give you a lifesaving skill in an emergency. Always keep an eye on children any time they are in or near water and be sure to follow these drowning prevention tips .
Preventing Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is not only the most common form of cancer but also the most preventable. Millions of people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common types of skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S., and melanoma is the most dangerous. Skin cancer is almost always caused by exposure to the sun, so there’s a lot you can do to prevent it. Here are some tips to keep your skin healthy and cancer-free.
Detecting Skin Cancer
The sooner skin cancer is identified and treated, the better the likelihood of curing it. When detected in its earliest stages, skin cancer is highly treatable. Watch your skin for any changes, especially in color, texture and growth.
You should also monitor any new or existing moles for:
Asymmetry: Do you have moles that are an uneven/asymmetrical shape?
Border: Are there any irregular borders around your moles?
Color: Do you have any moles that are more than one color?
Diameter: Do you have a mole that’s bigger than a pencil eraser?
Evolved: Has your mole gotten bigger or thicker?
Proper preparation before spending time in the sun can free you from short-term burns and long-term damage. Being proactive about prevention is always a great idea. Be sure to have your skin checked by your primary care physician each year, especially if you notice any of the warning signs listed above, or if you have a sore that won’t heal, or a patch of skin that seems dry, scaly and itchy.
Madhuri Yemul, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician with UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group. She cares for babies to older adults and is accepting new patients at her office located at 329 Remington Blvd., Suite 200, in Bolingbrook.
Call
Call630-759-4800 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
