"Beauty professionals are in a unique position to be the 'first responder' when it comes to noticing suspicious lesions and changes in the skin on their clients," says Dr. Michael Steppie, MD.
ORLANDO, Fla (PRWEB) February 17, 2015
President and Medical Director Dr. Michael Steppie - Associates in Dermatology - announced the details of an exciting new skin-cancer awareness program called the "Heads Up Campaign". The Skin Cancer Foundation-designed training seminar offers a fresh new approach to educating key personnel at hair salons throughout Central Florida.
When it comes to skin cancer, early detection and treatment is a patient's best bet for beating this nefarious disease that impacts one in five Americans. But not everyone knows the warning signs and many wouldn't be able to spot telltale signs without proper training. That's where Orlando-area hair stylists and colorists could potentially become life-saving heroes for their clients.
"Beauty professionals are in a unique position to be the 'first responder' when it comes to noticing suspicious lesions and changes in the skin on their clients," says Dr. Michael Steppie, MD. "Learning what skin cancer warning signs to look for and how to approach the topic with their clients will help them be prepared to refer them to a dermatologist in a timely manner."
According to skin cancer research, timeliness is often the key to survival as patients with melanomas (the deadliest form of skin cancer) of the head and neck are almost twice as likely to die from the disease as patients with melanomas on other areas of the body. In 2012, Dr. Steppie was selected by WebMD® to become their skin cancer expert among the Melanoma Skin Cancer Community.
Schedule Training for the "Heads Up" Campaign
Skincare specialists with Associates in Dermatology are currently teaching salon owners, hairstylists and hair colorists how to spot potential skin cancer on the scalp, neck and ears of their clients. That's critical because these areas are the most susceptible to damage by the sun's powerful UV rays, but typically cannot be seen by victims. If you are a salon owner, hairstylist or hair colorist, who is interested in putting your creative professional skills to use in potentially life-saving ways, contact the "Heads Up" program coordinator at 800.827.7546 ext 3220 to schedule training with a dedicated skin cancer specialists.
About Michael Steppie, MD
Dr. Steppie is a board-certified physician who has completed residencies in internal medicine, dermatology and dermatologic surgery and is a highly qualified MOHS micrographic skin cancer surgeon. He is a dedicated member of the prestigious Amonette Circle of Skin Cancer Foundation and has been honored with multiple American Medical Association Physician Recognition Awards, received the Patient’s Choice Award for the last three consecutive years and was voted one of America's Top 10 Physicians in Orlando in 2014*.
Michael Steppie, MD, also serves as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Central Florida and as Clinical Assistant Professor in Dermatology at the Florida State University College of Medicine (Orlando Regional Campus). His work is often referenced and his expert opinions have been quoted in publications such as Men's Health Magazine and television programs for ABC News.
- Source / American Registry