
How to Treat a Sunburn
Sunburns are dangerous ailments. They aren't just painful, peeling, itchy, unsightly blemishes—they also increase your risk of developing skin cancer, particularly in children, who may be twice as likely to develop melanoma if they get even a single blistering sunburn. When sunburns do occur, however, take the steps necessary to reduce the pain and alleviate the damage. Sunburns are sneaky—they start with a tell-tale tingling or feeling of tightness in the skin during the initial exposure, followed by a slow reddening, but may take 4–6 hours to fully develop.

Benefits of Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer
Radiation therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancer, including basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Surgery is the most common treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancer, particularly for minor, early-stage cases. Radiation, however, provides an excellent option as an alternative to surgery in many cases, as well as optimizing the effectiveness of skin cancer treatment when paired with surgery as an adjunct therapy.

Protecting Your Skin From the Sun
Harmful UV rays pose a significant threat to the health of our skin. Sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer are all common side effects of frequent exposure to the sun. It's simple to protect yourself from these dangers—apply sunscreen, don't use tanning beds, wear protective clothing, and stay out of the sun when possible, especially during the middle of the day. By making these activities a part of your daily routine, you can maintain healthy skin and avoid skin cancer. Download and print the infographic below, put it on the refrigerator, and keep yourself safe from the sun!

UV Rays & How the Sun Can Damage Your Skin
While sunburns are painful and unsightly, they are far from the most dangerous aspect of UV radiation. After the sunburn fades, severe UV radiation damage and/or long-term sun exposure can alter our DNA and cause us to develop skin cancer.


Meet Dr. Bradley McCall, MD, SERO’s May Provider of the Month
Learn more about Dr. Bradley McCall and the other compassionate radiation oncologists at SERO, Charlotte’s leading provider of radiation cancer treatment.




Sharing Your Cancer Diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis can feel like a long road with countless forks in its path, each one presenting a difficult decision you must make. One of these difficult decisions is who to tell about your cancer…

Meet Dr. Jerome M. Butler, Jr., SERO’s November Provider of the Month
At SERO, we are committed to fostering meaningful relationships between patients and providers. Connecting on a deeper level allows our physicians to deliver exceptional and personalized care. To…

Welcome SERO’s Newest Advanced Practice Provider | SERO
Since 1977, SERO’s compassionate medical professionals have provided high-quality care to the Charlotte metro area. This month, advanced practice provider Jennifer Smith joins the team, bringing more…

Meet Dr. Robert Doline, MD, SERO’s October Provider of the Month
Radiation oncology is rooted in trust. When cancer patients seek treatment at SERO, they are placing their lives in the hands of our dedicated medical professionals. We do not take that lightly.
To…

Prostate Cancer Survival Rates
Outside of skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US. The likelihood of developing prostate cancer increases with age, and some 60% of cases are found in men 65 and above.…

Prostate Cancer and Erectile Dysfunction
In men, prostate cancer affects the prostate gland that produces seminal fluid, which nourishes sperm. The blood vessels and nerves surrounding the prostate are very sensitive and therefore respond…

How to Care for Skin During Radiation
Radiation is one of the best treatments we have in fighting and curing cancer. While modern radiation treatments have fewer side effects than their predecessors, treatments may still irritate the…

What is a Cancer Caregiver?
A cancer diagnosis does not just affect the patient. Spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends, and other loved ones may all be called upon to help. A cancer caregiver is someone who helps a person…

What Are the Stages of Prostate Cancer?
SERO reviews the four stages of prostate cancer and the staging systems used to identify the progression of prostate cancer.

The Cost of Cancer
Navigating the costs of cancer on top of the disease itself may seem overwhelming. If you are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, you may prefer to ask a friend or family member to make decisions regarding the financial side of your treatment.

11 Steps for Choosing Your Cancer Treatment
After your cancer diagnosis, your primary care physician will begin discussing your cancer treatment plan with you and your family. At SERO, we specialize in radiation therapy, a localized, highly…

What Is a Cancer Treatment Plan?
Cancer treatment plans ensure that your entire cancer team understands the patient’s cancer, treatments, symptoms, and goals. SERO covers what your plan should include.

Meet Dr. Kevin S. Roof, MD, SERO’s July 2021 Provider of the Month
At SERO, our providers see patients as more than a diagnosis. Our physicians see you for who you are—an individual with unique passions—and they want to help you recover and return to those interests.
By…

What Makes a Healthy Cell Turn Cancerous?
Healthy cells turn cancerous when they experience a genetic change that causes the cell to become immortal. Instead of undergoing regular cellular death, the immortal cell continues to live, but no…

Top 5 Ingredients of a Healthy Diet During Radiation Cancer Therapy
Including the top 5 ingredients to a healthy diet during radiation therapy is a recipe for a swift recovery with fewer side effects. Radiation therapy can change how a patient’s body accepts certain foods and uses nutrients. Each radiation therapy patient reacts differently to treatment.

Why Am I Tired After Radiation Therapy?
A cancer diagnosis changes your life. Depending on the type of cancer, treatments may include chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, surgery, immunotherapy and radiation therapy, or a multidisciplinary…

How to Perform a Skin Cancer Self-Exam
Step-by-step guide to performing a skin cancer self-exam. Protecting yourself against harmful UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds is the most important step to preventing skin cancer. The second most important step is monitoring your body to detect signs and symptoms of skin cancer early—when it is least dangerous and easiest to treat and cure.

What is Merkel Cell Carcinoma?
Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the skin.
Merkel cells are found in the top layer of the skin. These cells are very close to the nerve endings that receive the sensation of touch. Merkel cell carcinoma, also called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin or trabecular cancer, is a very rare type of skin cancer that forms when Merkel cells grow out of control. Merkel cell carcinoma starts most often in areas of skin exposed to the sun, especially the head and neck, as well as the arms, legs, and trunk.

Genetics of Skin Cancer
The genetics of skin cancer is an extremely broad topic. There are more than 100 types of tumors that are clinically apparent on the skin; many of these are known to have familial components, either in isolation or as part of a syndrome with other features. This is, in part, because the skin itself is a complex organ made up of multiple cell types. Furthermore, many of these cell types can undergo malignant transformation at various points in their differentiation, leading to tumors with distinct histology and dramatically different biological behaviors, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell cancer (BCC). These have been called nonmelanoma skin cancers or keratinocytic cancers.

Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer
Radiation therapy may be given as a primary treatment or as an adjunct to surgery for squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. As radiation oncologists, we coordinate with the physicist and treatment planning team to personalize the therapy to cover the exact depth and perimeter of the skin cancer with a very small border of normal skin.

When to Consider Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer
In many cases, radiation therapy provides an excellent alternative to invasive surgery. While surgery provides a handful of effective and safe treatments techniques for non-melanoma skin cancer, radiation therapy may be the best option for many people, either independently, or in conjunction with surgery.

How to Protect Yourself from the Sun
Choosing the best sunscreen for your skin type, geographic location, and outdoor activities is important. But before delving into the specifics, it's important to use sunscreen it a way that allows it to do its job in the most effective way.

What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer caused by damage to the DNA of melanocyte cells in the skin. Melanocytes produce melanin, a pigment in skin that is primarily responsible for skin color. When melanocytes DNA is damaged, it may cause the cells to mutate—leading to rapid, uncontrolled growth and the formation of malignant tumors.