Dermatology Interest Group (DIG)

Advisor: Dr. Gregory Orlowski, gregory.orlowski@bmc.org

Group Leadership:

Community Service & Education Leadership:

Skin Smart Campus Coordinator:

DIG strives to educate the BUSM community about the field of dermatology and to increase medical student exposure to the practice of derm as well as the diverse sub-specialities that exist within the field. We plan to host events featuring prominent members of the derm community speaking on their research or academic careers. The group will also find opportunities for students to involve themselves with the specialty.

Goals:

1) To increase knowledge and awareness of the field of dermatology

2) To provide information regarding programs and careers in dermatology

3) To promote community service in dermatology

4) To promote primary prevention and education about dermatology in the surrounding community

 

Indoor Tan-Free Skin Smart Campus Initiative:

The Indoor Tan-Free Skin Smart Campus Initiative is sponsored by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention in response to the 2014 U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer which concluded that there is a strong association between increased risk of skin cancer and indoor tanning use.

General Facts:

  • Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and worldwide.
  • One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
  • The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
  • More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.

Risk factors for skin cancer include:

  • Light skin, or skin that burns, freckles, or reddens easily
  • Large number of moles
  • Blue or green eyes
  • Blonde or red hair
  • Personal or family history of skin cancer
  • History of sun exposure (exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light)
  • History of sunburns, especially in early life
  • History of indoor tanning
    • Using tanning beds before the age of 35 increases a person’s risk for developing melanoma by 75%

Examples of skin cancer prevention practices:

  • Seeking shade (especially during the peak sun hours of 10:00 am-2:00 pm)
  • Sunscreen
    • Broad spectrum UVA and UVB
    • SPF 30 or higher
    • Reapplication is necessary every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off
    • It is important to wear sunscreen even when it is cloudy.
  • Protective clothing
    • Long sleeves, long pants, skirts, or dresses with a tightly woven fabric or built in SPF
    • Wide-brimmed hat
    • Sunglasses

For more information to promote your skin health, please visit these links:

National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention:

Webpage: www.skincancerprevention.org

Twitter: @skincancerprev    https://twitter.com/skincancerprev

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natlcouncilskincancerprevention

Skin Smart Campus:

Webpage:  www.skinsmartcampus.org

Twitter: @skinsmartcampus    https://twitter.com/skinsmartcampus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinsmartcampus

 

References:

  1. Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics. Skin Cancer Foundation; 2021. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/?fbclid=IwAR3r4icfuXoOjTxPX_AaHG8qRosxKMzdmrBMdciB6TmZ1kGisMwLLRyP0OM
  2. What Are the Risk Factors for Skin Cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2021.
  3. The association of use of sunbeds with cutaneous malignant melanoma and other skin cancers: A systematic review. Int J Cancer. 2006;120(5):1116-1122. doi:10.1002/ijc.22453
  4. Prevent Skin Cancer. American Academy of Dermatology Association Accessed December 8, 2021. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/how
  5. Sun Safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2021. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm