Even though skin cancer is preventable, it strikes more than one million Americans every year. While fair skinned people are especially at risk, those with overexposure to sunlight and tanning lamps increase their risk of developing skin cancer.

The first stage in the development of skin cancer from sun exposure is Actinic Keratoses, often labeled “pre-cancer.” Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common skin cancer, with Squamous Cell Carcinoma the second most common.  When these cancers are detected and treated early, the cure rate is 95%.

While the above cancers are usually considered curable, another form of skin cancer, Malignant Melanoma, claims the lives of over 7,000 Americans every year. More than 46,000 Americans develop melanoma yearly. Individuals with a family history of melanoma and/or excessive sunburn should be attentive in checking for skin changes.

The American Academy of Dermatology discusses “The ABCDs of Melanoma, “ which can be applied to checking for all skin cancers. A) Asymmetry: The shape of the lesion does not match the other half. Color, shape, and thickness of a skin mark should be evaluated. B) Border Irregularity: The edges of a lesion are ragged or poorly defined. C) Color: The color of the lesion is not consistent. Shades of different colors are present. D) Diameter: A mole or skin marking changes in size (or itching &/or bleeding are present).

What can you do? Apply and re-apply water-resistant sunscreen. Wear protective clothing (hats, sunglasses). Avoid sunburns and tanning beds. Stay in the Shade. Check your skin regularly. Have an annual skin check by a dermatologist.

The next Health Education Series will be held on August 11th from 10 am- 11:30.

The topic will be: Obesity; Controlling Your Weight

Under the Direction of Mayor DiLascio, the Lyndhurst Health Department´s mission is “To protect the public health of our community by using the highest standards for disease control and prevention.” With a former resident conducting her own cancer study, questions have been raised about the incidence of cancer in Lyndhurst and the surrounding areas.  Local public health departments do not have access to the NJ State Cancer Registry.  Cancer studies are conducted at the state level. Therefore, the Lyndhurst Health Department has requested an inquiry by the NJ Cancer Surveillance Program to determine whether or not a problem exists in Lyndhurst. We expect to have the results of this inquiry within a month; at that time we will share the results with the public. For further information, please visit the NJ State Cancer Registry.  

Are you a match? 
If so, you can save a life.

For more information, please call Debbie Alberti at 201-647-6292, Denese Cortellino at 973-981-8003 or Maria Pansini at 201-838-8657, or view flyer here.  

On Monday May 12, the Lyndhurst Health Department will hold the next session of their Health Education Nutrition Series from 10 until 11:30 am. This class on Diabetes will be taught by Jackie Plick,nurse practitioner,who specializes in the care of diabetic patients. In a partnership with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, the Lyndhurst Health Department offers these classes the second Monday of every month.

The April 14 session focused on the need for fiber in our diet as well as the importance of screening for colorectal cancer. While colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, colon cancer can be prevented if pre-cancerous growths are removed early. If caught early, colon cancer has a better chance of cure. Symptoms of colon cancer include blood in your stool, a change in bowel habits, weight loss, and abdominal pains. However, since some people have no symptoms, Joyce Jacobson, Lyndhurst Health Administrator, stresses the importance of screening for every person over the age of 50. She emphasizes the CDC´s prediction of a 33% reduction in the colon cancer death rate if everyone had the recommended screenings. Jacobson also encourages people to discuss their individual needs for screenings with their physician since some people require colon screening to start at an age earlier than 50.

Please call the Lyndhurst Health Department at 201-804-2500 to register for the Diabetes Health Education Class on May 12. Residents from surrounding towns are welcome to participate.

Lyndhurst recently installed new artificial turf at the high school and recreation fields. This FieldTurf product, composed of environmentally-friendly materials, eliminates the use of pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. No watering, mowing, fertilizing, or re-seeding are required.

With the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services’ recent announcement regarding potential health hazards in some types of artificial turf, it is important to note that Lyndhurst’s new fields are not made of the nylon material described in the report. Rather, FieldTurf is made of polyethylene fibers which are free of heavy metals.

For more information on artificial turf, please visit www.nj.gov/health/artificialturf, or call the Lyndhurst Health Department at 201-804-2421.