July 2005
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Answers to Skin Cancer Quiz (from front page)

  1. True.
    According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer accounts for as much as half of all cases of cancer diagnosed each year. The disease can be either melanoma or non-melanoma. It is estimated that over 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and about 60,000 cases of melanoma skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2005.
  2. All of the above.
    When examining the body for signs of skin cancer, the most important warning sign to look for is a spot on the skin, such as a mole, that changes size, shape, texture or color. These changes may occur over a period of several weeks to one to two years. Patients experiencing any unusual or suspicious skin changes should contact their physician.
  3. All of the above.
    Excessive exposure to the sun is the most common cause for all skin cancers (non-melanoma and melanoma). The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that are very harmful to the skin. UV rays are also emitted by tanning beds and sun lamps. In addition, smoking cigarettes and using other forms of tobacco can also raise a person's risk of developing the disease. A family history of skin cancer is also considered a risk factor.
  4. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), they account for approximately 95 percent of all non-melanoma skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma develops in the skin's lowest layer and squamous cell carcinoma occurs in higher layers of the skin.
  5. Biopsy is a method method most commonly used to diagnose skin cancer. The procedure requires the suspicious lesion to be surgically removed. The specimen is then sent to an experienced pathologist who can examine it under a microscope for evidence of cancer.
  6. 4%.
    According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), melanoma accounts for 4 percent of all diagnosed skin cancers. Although melanoma accounts for only a small number of skin cancer cases, it is responsible for more than 75 percent of skin cancer-related deaths.
  7. False.
    According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), melanoma is highly curable, with a five-year survival rate of 96 percent, when caught before it spreads. The survival rate, however, drops dramatically once the disease spreads. The five-year survival rate is 61 percent for melanoma that has spread to nearby areas, and 12 percent for melanoma that has metastasized, or spread to distant organs.
  8. All of the above.
Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation Thanks Donors

A reception was held Thursday evening in the Mecosta County Medical Center lobby to dedicate the MCMC Foundation "Fountain of Hope," which recognizes donors contributing $1,000 or more to the hospital foundation.

"The hope of healing includes receiving favorable tests, successful births and procedures, operations, and rehabilitation. Hope describes what we stand for at Mecosta County Medical Center", says Dave Borth, Foundation President.

He adds, "The MCMC Foundation is all about hope and the purpose of
 the Foundation is completely about supporting the healing mission of the hospital. Every gift to the Foundation is a gift of hope. It supports our community through grants for equipment and programs given to the hospital annually by the Foundation."

The Fountain of Hope water feature in the new medical center's lobby was fully financed by the Foundation as a means to recognize those who gave money contributions to the MCMC Foundation.