Dr. Justin Piasecki - Washington Doctor and Mohs Surgery Expert Offers Healthy Tips For Women To Prevent Skin Cancer
Week of May 11-17 Designated as National Women’s Health Week
GIG HARBOR, Washington (May, 2014) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated the week of May 11-17, 2014 as National Women’s Health Week, a week dedicated to empowering women to make healthy choices and help them understand what it means to be well. Research shows that certain illnesses are found to be more common in women, including kidney disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Of the various types of cancers, breast, lung, and skin cancer rank among the most common in American women. Each year, cancer claims the lives of more than 250,000 women in the United States.
“As we celebrate National Women’s Health Week, as well as National Skin Cancer Awareness Month during the month of May, women are encouraged to pay special attention to their health, including staying active, eating healthy, and paying attention to their skin,” said Justin Piasecki, M.D., a board certified plastic surgeon and founder of Harbor Plastic Surgery Center in Gig Harbor, Washington. “During this week, we celebrate women’s health and encourage them to make health a priority, which means getting regular check-ups to help improve both their mental and physical health.”
As the only physician in the world who has completed a Mohs (skin cancer) fellowship and earned board certifications from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Piasecki has been treating patients with skin cancer for more than six years. In addition to traditional treatments, Dr. Piasecki has pioneered a treatment known as plastic micrographic surgery. Mohs micrographic surgery is an extremely precise and less invasive procedure that removes cancerous tissue one layer at a time. Dr. Piasecki takes the Mohs procedure a step further by performing cosmetic or reconstructive surgery immediately following the Mohs technique, enabling patients to undergo both procedures in one office visit.
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, with skin cancer ranking as the most common form of cancer in the United States. Dr. Piasecki offers the following tips for both women and men to help reduce the risk of skin cancer:
- Avoid peak hours – In order to reduce the risk of skin cancer, individuals should avoid being in the sun during the peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are at their strongest.
- Be aware of skin cancer signs – Experts suggest being aware of sudden changes in skin including open sores that take more than two weeks to heal, or sores that continue to itch, hurt or bleed.
- Use sunscreen – A broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a 15 SPF or higher is recommended for everyday use, while a sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher is recommended for extended periods of time.
- Get regular check-ups – In addition to yearly check-ups, experts suggest seeing a physician for a professional skin cancer exam once a year to ensure that skin is healthy and stays that way.
Dr. Piasecki has been performing plastic micrographic surgery at Harbor Plastic Surgery Center for the past five years. A graduate of Stanford University and Vanderbilt Medical School, Dr. Piasecki received his formal training in Mohs micrographic surgery from the University of British Columbia.
About Harbor Plastic Surgery Center
Located in Gig Harbor, Washington, Harbor Plastic Surgery Center is a small, boutique practice that prides itself on providing the highest level of care and service to its patients. The practice specializes in breast and body contouring, facial cosmetic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and Mohs surgery. In addition to his duties at Harbor Plastic Surgery Center, Dr. Justin Piasecki also directs the internationally-acclaimed Skin Cancer Center and the Medicare Certified Operating Room, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). For additional information, please visit www.harborplasticsurgerycenter.com.
Media Contact: Lisa Franklin
info@cosmeticmdskincare.com