The Siuslaw news., June 17, 2017, SATURDAY EDITION, Page 5B, Image 17

SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Watch Out For
This Common
Skin Cancer
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am fair-
skinned and have had sunburns in
the past, so I have been diligent
about looking for rough, scaly skin
patches that might turn into can-
cer and dark irregular patches that
might be melanoma. But I had not
read anything about watching for a
pore that bleeds, heals and bleeds
again. I have a place like that on
my nose and just thought it was
thin skin. There was no bump, no
redness, no scaling; just occasional
bleeding. Then it would heal and
everything seemed fi ne.
Now I fi nd out from my derma-
tologist that it is basal skin cancer,
it grows down into the skin, and I
will have to have Mohs surgery to
remove the cancer and plastic sur-
gery to repair it. I want everyone
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
Information you need might be com-
ing in sporadically, but at least what
you’re getting is valuable. Continue
to wait until more is available before
acting on that career move.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
You continue on an upbeat cycle,
and with that strong Taurean energy
you should see favorable results from
your hard work. A pleasant surprise
awaits you in your private life.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A
misunderstanding needs more time
to be worked out. Don’t give up on
it just yet. Remain open to providing
explanations, if called for. Another
friend off ers good advice.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Fast
action can correct a seemingly minor
to know to watch for this kind of
symptom and get to a doctor imme-
diately if they have it. -- W.R.
ANSWER: A basal cell carci-
noma is a skin cancer, probably the
most common cancer in the U.S.,
and is most common among light-
skinned people. It’s unusual in peo-
ple with very dark skin. It is more
common in men, and increases in
frequency with age. As you note,
sunlight is the major risk factor,
although sunburns aren’t necessary
to develop BCC. Use of tanning
beds also greatly increase the risk
for skin cancer, and I strongly dis-
courage their use.
BCCs can appear in several dif-
ferent forms. They often appear as
a nodule on the face, with dilated
blood vessels that can bleed and
ulcerate (causing a shallow pit).
On the trunk, they can appear as a
superfi cial red patch. They also can
appear as fi rm, deeper, scar-like le-
sions.
Because they can appear in such
a varied manner, ANY new skin le-
sion, especially in a light-skinned
person with sun exposure, should
be evaluated by a professional.
Any nonhealing sore or one that
periodically bleeds is particularly
at risk.
Although BCCs rarely, if ever,
spread outside the skin, they can
grow locally and be disfi guring.
Once one has occurred, additional
skin cancers are much more likely,
so a periodic total skin exam by a
dermatologist is essential.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I devel-
oped a ganglion cyst in the palm
of my hand virtually overnight.
Where did it come from, and how
do I get rid of it? It’s very annoy-
ing. -- V.L.
ANSWER: A ganglion is a cystic
structure that is associated with a
tendon sheath or joint. They most
commonly occur in the wrist. It’s
not clear why they occur: One
theory is that they are from the tis-
sue around a joint that makes joint
fl uid, the synovium.
They often go away by them-
selves, but a surgeon can remove
fl uid from them with a syringe, and
sometimes inject medication to
keep them from recurring. Surgery
is occasionally necessary for pain-
ful ganglia that keep recurring.
I urge you to resist the advice
you will get to whack it with a
book (traditionally, a Bible). That
can cause many small ones.
problem that has taken on some
unexpectedly diffi cult aspects. Stay
with it until it’s resolved. News on a
more positive note is due soon.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Some
snags could cause delays in those
plans you’re eager to see put into
operation. But be patient. Th e Clever
Cat will soon have good reason to
celebrate a job well done.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Be careful not to let that Virgan
sensitivity dissuade you from being
the hardheaded realist you should be
at this time. Your goals are in sight.
Stay focused on them.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A more positive aspect opens up,
allowing you to make some impor-
tant changes in a personal situation.
Remember to seek balance and avoid
extremes as you proceed.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) Th is is a good week
to get out and enjoy the fi ne times
you missed while you were so deep in
those workaday projects. Be sure to
share it with that special person.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Work and play are in
balance this week. However, expect
news that could tip things toward the
workplace for quite a while. But all to
a good end.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) You’re more productive
on the job than you have been in
some time. Th at’s good. But be care-
ful not to overlook some situations
developing in your private life.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) You’ve been doing a lot
for others (as usual). But now it’s time
to focus on your needs, including
fi nally going on that long-delayed trip
you’ve been hoping to make.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
It’s all smoothly going on ‘twixt you
and that very special person in your
life. But a colleague causes some dis-
ruption on the job that you might be
called on to help settle.
5 B
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