Dermatology services are again available in Wausau. Heather Landwehr is seeing patients at Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Prior to joining the Dermatology Department in Marshfield as a physician assistant, Landwehr worked for the Medical College of Wisconsin's Dermatology Department, and with C.C. Lee, M.D., on vein services at Marshfield Clinic Weston Center.
Landwehr provides a full spectrum of dermatology services, including treatment for acne, warts, rashes and psoriasis. She also performs skin cancer checks and office-based dermatology procedures at the Wausau Center. A telehealth room is set up in the department, with direct access to dermatologists at the Marshfield Center.
While Landwehr will see patients three days a week in Wausau, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays in Marshfield, the goal is to eventually move her full-time to Wausau.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Landwehr, call 715-387-5311.
Prevention is key to treating skin cancer
Part of any dermatology practice is dealing with skin cancer. The best way to treat it is to prevent it. Exposure to the sun is certainly a big factor in the risk of developing skin cancer, but it's not the only one. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is much more common in fair-skinned people, especially those with blond or red hair and light-colored eyes.
Other risk factors you should be aware of include:
- Family history of skin cancer.
- The emergence of large – or many ordinary – moles or freckles.
- A weakened immune system.
- Smoking.
- Radiation exposure.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) and certain rare inherited conditions, such as nevus syndrome (Gorlin syndrome) or xeroderma pigmentosum (XP).
"Be proactive about reducing your risks," Landwehr said. "Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher on all exposed skin, even on cloudy days." Reapply the sunscreen after swimming or sweating.
Remember that sand and pavement reflect ultraviolet (UV) rays, even under an umbrella. In the winter, snow is a very good reflector of dangerous UV rays.
Here's an easy way to remember to check your skin every year: check your birthday suit on your birthday. Look at your skin carefully and, if you see anything changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, consult a medical provider.
The bottom line is to reduce the risk factors that you can control, like exposure to the sun. You can't reduce the genetic risk factors, but being aware of them – and teaching your children – will help them now and in the future.
