May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and to celebrate we will be giving out FREE Sun Smart Skin Safe bracelets on Monday May 7th. These are fun silicone bracelets that start out white in color, but change color to blue when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun. This way, you can have a fun visual reminder to protect you and your family’s skin all the time. And the fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down. These bracelet glows in the dark too!!

We normally sell these in the office as a fundraiser, 4 for $10 – donating the full $10 to non profit organizations that either promote skin cancer research or education. On May 7th, the bracelet is yours for FREE – but voluntarry donations to the cause are of course welcome.

We have been searching for a way to help you protect yourself from the sun when you are outdoors, wearing a helmet.  I am very happy to share with you an amazing product called Da Brim.  This “hat” will attach to any helmet – giving yu broad brim protection wherever life’s adventures may take you.

Protecting yourself from the sun is a great way to decrease your risk of skin cancer!

Just slide the Da Brim™ helmet visor over the top of your sports helmet, tighten the strap, and in seconds you’re ready to tackle the pavement, trail, snow, water, or the climb.

• UPF 50+ Sun Protection
• Rugged and durable to meet the needs of those who demand the best
• Easy attachment in seconds - See our installation videos
• Air flows freely through helmet vents, promoting cooling
• Patent-pending low profile design allows for secure attachment
• No modification to your helmet and no sticky adhesives
• Works with headlamps and hydration packs
• Removable
• Interchangeable among helmets
• Contoured brim with longer back provides added neck sun protection
• Flexible
• Water repellent
• Floats
• Reinforced brim edge for stability at higher speeds
• No more baseball caps that wick moisture and produce a poor fit when worn under your helmet.  Da Brim™ fits on the outside of your helmet allowing a proper helmet fit and full-brimmed shade.
• Designed with different helmet styles in mind to provide good fit and coverage

We wanted to introduce our patients to our newly redesigned business card.  With smart phone in hand, this QR code will bring you to http://belaray.tel From here you will be able to quickly and easily call us, schedule an appointment on-line, map our office, etc.  We hope you have as much fun using our QR code as we have had designing it.

If you have a smart phone and have not yet used QR codes, visit your app store and do a quick search for readers.  These QR codes are quick, useful, fun and showing up in more and more places!

QR Code design and consultancy provided by azonmobile.com

We have been nominated as one of 15 dermatologists out of all of Long Island by the Long Island press “Best of…” list.  I want to thank all of you who had voted to get us nominated.  If you have a few minutes to spare, please vote! It would be appreciated.  You are allowed to vote once per day.  Here is the link to cast your vote.

Treating eyelid cancer often requires coordinated care between a Mohs surgeon and an ophtlamic plastic and reconstructive specialist.  Working side by side, Drs. Jeffrey Ellis & Rachel Ellis specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction of eyelid skin cancers.

The eyelid region is one of the most common sites for nonmelanoma skin cancers.  In fact, skin cancers of the eyelid, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) account for five to ten percent of all skin cancers.

Jeffrey Ellis, MD is a board certified dermatologist fellowship trained in Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery.  Mohs surgery permits the meticulous excision of skin cancer while sparing normal tissue.  The procedure takes place in the office, under local anesthesia and offers the highest possible cure rate.

Rachel Ellis, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist fellowship trained in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeyr.  She specializes in functional and cosmetic eyelid reconstruction following Mohs surgery.

Drs. Rachel and Jeffrey Ellis offer patients with eyelid cancers a unique and convenient service.  Reconstructions can often be done immediately following Mohs surgery on the same day, in the office.

Photo from left to right: Assemblyman Dave McDonough, R-Merrick, CCMAC co-founder and Executive Director Colette Coyne, Dr. Steve McClain,  Eli McClain, Dr. Amy Slear, Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, & State Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R- Merrick

State Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo,, R-Merrick, and the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign (CCMAC) partnered to  sponsor a free skin cancer screening program at Wantagh Park this past Thursday to help protect residents from skin cancer

CCMAC worked with Dr. Jeffrey Ellis & Dr. Amy Slear of Belaray Dermatology, Dr. Steve McClain of McClain Labs, and doctors from Stony Brook Hospital Dermatology Service to provide free screenings at Wantagh Park.

A total of 164 visitors were screened, with 1/3rd requiring referral to a dermatologist for a suspected skin cancer. One in five people will be diagnosed with some
type of skin cancer in their lifetime. Malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, is the fastest growing cancer in America, claiming one life every hour. People of all ethnic backgrounds and races can get skin cancer. One blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence more than doubles melanoma risk later in life.

Identifying and treating a melanoma early can be a life saving event. You can find more information about how to do a self-skin exam and what to look for here.

We wanted to thank CCMAC and New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. for putting together the wonderful skin cancer screening event at Tanner Park this past week.  In total, 151 visitors received a free skin cancer screening.  1 out of every 3 were referred to a dermatologist for a suspicious lesion; 4 of which were potentially malignant melanoma.

Identifying and treating a melanoma early can be a life saving event. You can find more information about how to do a self-skin exam and what to look for here.

Lifeguards are always watching after us – but this weekend a group of Long Island Dermatologists had an opportunity to help look after them.  The NY State Lifeguards were certifying for the season at Nassau Community College, and physicians including Dr. Jeffrey Ellis, Erin Schoor, Peter O’Neill, Pam Basuk, Peter Reisfeld, and Steve Mc Clain were on hand to offer skin cancer screenings to all.  The screening was organized by CCMAC. We hope that this becomes an annual event, which we look forward to supporting in the future.

Mohs surgery is available in our Plainview office, and is performed by Dr. Jeffrey Ellis a fellowship-trained member of the American College of Mohs Surgery.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery  is an advanced treatment for skin cancer that offers the highest cure rate – even if the skin cancer has been previously treated by another procedure. Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon. It relies on the ability of a microscope to trace out and ensure removal of the skin cancer’s roots. This procedure allows physicians who have completed a fellowship in Mohs surgery to see beyond the visible disease and to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving healthy tissue intact and unharmed. Mohs surgery is most often used to treat two of the most common forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, however it is also an effective treatment for other types of skin cancer.
Clinical studies have shown that the cure rate for Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the highest of all treatments for previously untreated basal cell carcinoma – 99 percent – and 95 percent for recurrent basal cell carcinomas. As the most exact and precise method of tumor removal, this procedure minimizes the chance of recurrence and decreases the potential for scarring or disfigurement. As such, Mohs surgery offers the highest potential for complete removal of the cancer, while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

History
Developed by Frederic E. Mohs, MD, in the 1930s, the Mohs micrographic surgical procedure has been refined and perfected for more than half a century. Initially, Dr. Mohs removed tumors with a chemosurgical technique, which entailed the application of a chemical to the tumor before tissue was removed. This process was time consuming and it was usually necessary to extend the surgery over the course of a number of days during which time, thin layers of tissue were excised, frozen and then pathologically examined. The surgery included a unique technique for color-coding excised specimens and created a mapping process to accurately identify the location of remaining cancerous cells.
As the process evolved, surgeons omitted the chemical treatment and refined the technique so surgery could be completed in one day. However, the color-coded mapping of the excised specimens and the thorough microscopic examination of excised tissue plus the fact that the same physician acts as both surgeon and pathologist remains central to Mohs Micrographic Surgery to this day and generally permits immediate reconstruction of the wound.

Treatment Issues
Common treatment procedures such as curettage, and electrodesiccation, cryosurgery, and radiation therapy often prove less effective because they destroy the tissue and leave no specimen for pathological examination. Standard surgical excision relies on the human eye and examines only a fraction of the actual surgical margins for cancer, whereas Mohs surgery evaluates 100 percent of the surgical margins. In an effort to preserve healthy tissue, too little tissue may be removed, which can cause the cancer to recur. It can also result in the removal of too much healthy tissue, resulting in unnecessary scarring.
Some tumors often do not respond well to common treatments, including those tumors greater than two centimeters in diameter, those in difficult locations and those complicated by prior treatment. Removing a recurrent skin cancer is more complicated because scar tissue may hide cancerous cells. In these cases Mohs surgery is the most appropriate treatment.

Procedure
The Mohs process includes a specific sequence of surgery and pathological investigation. Mohs surgeons examine the removed tissue for evidence of cancer cells. Once the visible tumor is removed, Mohs surgeons trace out the paths of the tumor using two key tools:
• a map of the surgical site;
• a microscope.

Once the obvious tumor is removed, Mohs surgeons:
• remove an additional, thin layer of tissue from the tumor site;
• create a “map” or drawing of the removed tissue to be used as a guide to the precise location of any remaining cancer cells;
• microscopically examine the removed tissue thoroughly to check for evidence of remaining cancer cells.

If any of the sections contain cancer cells, Mohs surgeons:
• return to the specific area of residual tumor as indicated by the map;
• remove another thin layer of tissue only from the specific area where cancer cells were detected;
• microscopically examine the newly removed tissue for additional cancer cells.

If microscopic analysis still shows evidence of disease, the process continues, layer-by-layer, until the cancer is completely removed.

Indications
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is used primarily to treat basal and squamous cell carcinomas, but can also be used to treat less common tumors.
Mohs surgery is indicated when:
• the cancer is in a difficult area where it is important to preserve healthy tissue for maximum functional and cosmetic result, such as eyelids, nose, ears, lips, fingers, toes and genitals;
• the cancer was treated previously and recurred;
• the cancer is large;
• the edges of the cancer cannot be clearly defined;
• the cancer grows rapidly or uncontrollably;
• scar tissue exists in the area of the cancer.

Reconstruction
The best method of managing the wound resulting from surgery is determined after the cancer is completely removed. Once the final defect is known, management is individualized to achieve the best results and to preserve functional capabilities and maximize aesthetics. The Mohs surgeon is also trained in reconstructive procedures and usually will perform the reconstructive procedure necessary to repair the wound. A small wound may be allowed to heal on its own, or the wound may be closed with sutures, a skin graft or a flap. On some occasions another surgical specialist may complete the reconstruction as part of a team approach.  In our office, Dr. Rachel Ellis is available to assist with reconstructions when appropriate.

Cost Effectiveness
In addition to its high cure rate, Mohs Micrographic Surgery also has been shown to be cost effective. In a study of costs of various types of skin cancer removal, the Mohs process was found to be comparable to the cost of other procedures, such as electrodesiccation and curettage, cryosurgery, excision and radiation therapy.
In addition, Mohs Micrographic Surgery has other advantages:
• Because it preserves the maximum amount of normal skin, Mohs surgery often results in smaller scars.
• With its high cure rate, Mohs surgery minimizes the risk of recurrence and eliminates the need for more complicated surgery, which may be necessary if the cancer recurs.
• Because the Mohs procedure is performed in the surgeon’s office and pathological examination of the tissue is conducted immediately, the entire process can often be completed in a single day.

The Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon
The American College of Mohs Surgery (formerly The American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology) is the oldest professional organization of physicians who have attained extensive training and experience in Mohs Micrographic Surgery. The organization was founded by Dr. Frederic Mohs in 1967. One of the major goals of the Mohs College is to ensure the highest quality of training in Mohs surgery, which thereby ensures the highest quality of care for patients undergoing this procedure.

To be accepted as members of the Mohs College, physicians must complete a three-year residency in dermatology or a related field, plus a one- or two-year fellowship program approved by the Mohs College that includes extensive training in Mohs surgery, pathology and reconstructive surgery. Currently more than 70 training centers around the United States are recognized by the Mohs College for instruction in Mohs Micrographic Surgery.  Physicians who have completed a Mohs-College-approved fellowship will, by virtue of their rigorous training, possess the skills and expertise necessary to perform Mohs Micrographic Surgery at all levels of complexity.

You can find Dr. Ellis answering questions from real patients regarding mohs surgery and other procedures.

For our patient’s with sensitive skin, we wanted to suggest that you try Goat Milk Soap.

We already have many patients with sensitive skin and eczema who are converts to this new product, and that is no surprise.  The soap is high quality, and feels as good as it looks.  It contains no dyes or synthetic colors, and uses only natural fats and oils.

We have a few samples left in the office available if you would like to give it a try.