Austin Dermatologists to Offer Free Screenings for Skin Cancer Awareness Month

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - Apr 30, 2013) - Dr. Adam Mamelak and Dr. Miriam Hanson lead Sanova Dermatology, their private Austin dermatology practice. Sanova Dermatology is one of the area's premier sources for cosmetic medical and surgical dermatology, blending Dr. Mamelak's and Dr. Hanson's experience, education, technology, compassion, and exceptional skills to provide quality care. With May 1st marking the start of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the Austin dermatologists have announced they will be offering free skin cancer screenings for the entire month in order to promote the importance of early detection and prevention for skin cancer.

As dedicated skin care professionals, Dr. Mamelak and Dr. Hanson strive to warn patients about the potential risks and hazards of excess sun exposure. Due to the cultural popularity of tanning in America, they say many patients of their practice still utilize tanning beds to darken their skin for aesthetic reasons. While most patients know about the skin cancer risks associated with tanning -- along with the potential for the skin to age at an increased rate -- Dr. Mamelak and Dr. Hanson seek to educate their patients about the tanning beds themselves.

Unlike medical devices that are required to go through testing and pass a set of federal regulations, Dr. Mamelak notes that tanning beds are not monitored or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. In fact, he says the FDA is only able to regulate the emission of the bulbs used in tanning beds -- not the beds themselves.

Currently, there is no structure in place to regulate these machines and therefore no way to predict the potential risks associated with any particular machine. Dr. Hanson highlights that while current warning labels caution "repeated exposure may cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer," there is no system to differentiate the dangers of one machine versus another.

Dr. Mamelak and Dr. Hanson, each an Austin dermatologist, recommend their patients at Sanova Dermatology consider the numerous risks before using a tanning bed: "While tanning may yield short-term aesthetic goals for the individual, the long-term ramifications of these treatments can be severe."

As Skin Cancer Awareness Month draws near, the two dermatologists say they hope patients take advantage of the skin cancer information and preventative measures readily available to the public. Ultimately, they say whether patients receive screenings during Skin Cancer Awareness Month, or any other time of the year, skin cancer screenings are an important part of maintaining an optimal level of health.

Adam J. Mamelak MD, FRCPC, FAAD

Dr. Adam Mamelak, dual board-certified in dermatology, is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. He earned his medical degree at Queen's University in Ontario, Canada and completed a residency in dermatology at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Mamelak was the founder of the first-ever Mohs Micrographic surgery practice in the Canadian capital city of Ottawa, Ontario. He is available for interview upon request.

Miriam L. Hanson MD, FAAD

Dr. Miriam Hanson, board-certified in dermatology, is a graduate of the University of Virginia. She earned her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and has practiced at some of the top cosmetic and medical dermatology offices in North America. Dr, Hanson has worked closely with internationally recognized specialists in cosmetic dermatology, skin cancer, and contact dermatitis. She has authored several articles -- both individually and in collaboration with other reputable experts -- in addition to being an active participant in various clinical research trials. Dr. Hanson is available for interview upon request.