Dr. Schlesinger Addresses Global Summit on Volunteerism
April 23, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – April 23, 2011 – Charleston Dermatologist Todd Schlesinger, MD, was among 1500 health care professionals and associated guests who participated in the second annual Global Health & Humanitarian Summit at Emory University in Atlanta on April 3.
Dr. Schlesinger, who has led efforts in the Lowcountry to offer free and low-cost skin screenings for skin cancer, spoke on the need and importance for physicians to become involved in community volunteerism.
“With the rising numbers of skin cancer diagnoses, it’s vital that everyone has an opportunity to be screened,” said Dr. Schlesinger. “And that means that dermatologists need to make themselves available to those who may be uninsured or underinsured.”
Dr. Schlesinger, who is board certified in Dermatology, Dermasurgery and Cosmetic Dermatology, is director of the Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston and is a clinical assistant professor at MUSC’s Department of Dermatology. He served as President of the South Carolina Dermatological Association in 2007-2008, a leadership role which included trips to the statehouse in Columbia to educate and lobby for better healthcare coverage in the dermatological field.
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 2 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are found in this country each year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, accounted for about 68,130 cases of skin cancer in 2010.
Dr. Schlesinger stresses that these are key things to remember about skin cancer prevention:
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside to allow it to penetrate to the lower layers of the skin
- Avoid the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are most direct
- Reapply sunscreen liberally and often, especially after sweating or getting wet
- Limit your sun exposure time and get an annual skin exam by a board-certified dermatologist
- Other must-have sun protection includes sunglasses and physician-endorsed sun protective hats and clothing.
Dermatology & Laser Center of Charleston offers a triple-pronged approach to all of our patients – medical, cosmetic and research dermatology. The Center has a state of the art facility, aimed at providing patients with the highest quality of professional skin care.
