Medical Specialties Commons^™

Patient-Centered Focus Groups As A Catalyst For Anti-Racism Research And Quality Improvement In An Urban Academic Ob/Gyn Clinic, Samantha Brenner, Fiona Hodges, Tonia J. Rhone, Toni Tipton, Keith Reisinger-Kindle

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background •There is a known, pervasive existence of racism within OBGYN with resultant inequities and disparities in patient outcomes •Limited published perspectives of patients with racism in inpatient and outpatient OBGYN •The importance of centering patients’ voices in anti-racism research initiatives is clear •The objective of this study was to utilize patient-centered focus groups to prioritize anti-racism quality improvement and research investigations in the inpatient and outpatient setting

Novel Repair Of Costal Margin Rupture With Preoperative 3d Planning, Casey T. Walk, Gregory Semon

Department of Surgery Faculty Publications

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? This is a 32-year-old man involved in a motor vehicle crash in 2019 with chronic left-sided rib pain since. He was initially treated with physical therapy and medical management with no improvement. CT imaging in 2021 noted displaced left lateral seventh and eighth ribs, noted chest wall deformity, and when three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of his ribs was created, this noted a left- sided costal margin rupture at the sixth and seventh ribs.

A Retrospective Cohort Study Assessing Acute Kidney Injury And Renal Recovery Among Septic Patients Empirically Treated With Vancomycin Piperacillin–Tazobactam Versus Vancomycin Cefepime, Brian Pacca Elliott, Michael M. Tang, Joshua Alexander Madden, Ronald J. Markert, Steven Dale Burdette, Craig Matthew Pleiman, Emily Claire Speelmon

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Vancomycin plus piperacillin-tazobactam (VPT) is a commonly used antimicrobial regimen for septic patients. VPT is more nephrotoxic than other regimens such as vancomycin plus cefepime (VC) when given over several days. This risk of nephrotoxicity is less clear when VPT is given for initial empiric therapy in sepsis and de-escalated quickly based on evolving clinical information. The objective of this study was to assess nephrotoxicity among septic patients empirically treated with either VPT or VC at initial clinical presentation. We conducted a retrospective study of septic patients who received VPT or VC within 12 h of presentation to the emergency …

Whistling Scrotum: An Unusual Presentation Of Pneumomediastinum In The Setting Of An Open Scrotal Wound, Brant Bickford, Andrew J. Berglund, Ronald J. Markert, Hari Polenakovik

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND Pneumoscrotum is a rare clinical occurrence in which air accumulates in the scrotum. The origin of air is primarily from trauma, but spontaneous pneumoscrotum can develop from gastrointestinal or pulmonary sources. Physical examination of pneumoscrotum typically includes crepitus of the perineal region and scrotal swelling and associated findings depending on the origin of the free air. However, pneumoscrotum in the setting of a scrotal wound, which allows air to pass freely outside the body, has not been previously documented in the literature. CASE REPORT A 72-year-old man who recently underwent a scrotal incision and drainage for recurrent epididymitis presented …

Self- Vs Provider-Referral Differences For Coronary Artery Calcium Testing, Rebekah Lantz, Steve Young, Janet Lubov, Anas Ahmed, Ronald J. Markert, Srikanth Sadhu

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Study objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify independent predictors for moderate/accentuated coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and compare patients who self-referred for CAC Computed Tomography (CT) testing to those who were provider-referred. Design: Patients underwent CAC between January to July 2019. The analysis was divided into self-referred patients influenced by a CAC community campaign who identified themselves as having cardiovascular risk factors compared to provider-referred intermediate-risk patients who were asymptomatic. SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) was used for all analyses. Setting: Seven southwest Ohio hospitals from a single network. Participants: 2124 adult patients who …

Increasing Exercise Adherence Among Elderly Patients With Chronic Disease In Primary Care: A Prospective Cohort Study, Seth Vanderveer, Ronald J. Markert, Brant Bickford, Joseph Yuhas, Paul Pikman, Tim Wall, Kathryn Burtson

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Currently, the evidence for exercise in maintaining health, well-being, and physical functioning is overwhelming. Despite these benefits, more than 50% of the population fails to meet the recommended exercise requirements for age and health status. In our study, we sought to provide a method to increase exercise adherence that was both effective and time-efficient for physicians and their patients. Methods: The primary objective of this research study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a graded exercise protocol and biweekly monitoring on increasing the duration of aerobic exercise to 150 min per week in a population of elderly individuals with …

Pragmatic Randomized Trial Evaluating Pre-Operative Aqueous Antiseptic Skin Solution In Open Fractures (Aqueous-Prep): The Feasibility Of A Cluster Randomized Crossover Study, Sheila Sprague, Paige Guyatt, Sofia Bzovsky, Uyen Nguyen, Mohit Bhandari, Lehana Thabane, Brad Petrisor, Herman S. Johal, Jordan Leonard, Shannon Dodds, Franca Mossuto, Robert V. O’Toole, Andrea Howe, Haley K. Demyanovich, Megan Camara, Nathan N. O’Hara, Gerard P. Slobogean, Jeffrey Wells, Jean Claude D’Alleyrand, Anthony D. Harris, Daniel C. Mullins, Amber Wood, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Joan Hebden, Lucas Marchand, Lyndsay M. O’Hara, Robert Zura, Michael J. Gardner, Jenna Blasman, Jonah Davies, Stephen Liang

Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Publications

Background: Approximately 1 in 10 patients with a surgically treated open fracture will develop a surgical site infection. The Aqueous-PREP trial will investigate the effect of 10% povidone-iodine versus 4% chlorhexidine in aqueous antiseptic solutions in reducing infections after open fracture surgery. The study protocol was published in April 2020.

Methods and design: The Aqueous-PREP trial is a pragmatic, multicenter, open-label, randomized multiple period cluster crossover trial. Each participating cluster is randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to provide 1 of the 2 study interventions on all eligible patients during a study period. The intervention periods are 2 months in …

Technology-Enabled Health Care Collaboration In Pediatric Chronic Illness: Pre-Post Interventional Study For Feasibility, Acceptability, And Clinical Impact Of An Electronic Health Record–Linked Platform For Patient-Clinician Partnership, Shehzad Ahmed Saeed, Lisa Opipari-Arrigan, Dana M. H. Dykes, Sunny Thakkar, Lisa Burns, Barbara A. Chini, Gary L. Mcphail, Ian Eslick, Peter A. Margolis, Heather C. Kaplan

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to support the Chronic Care Model's vision of closed feedback loops and patient-clinician partnerships. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term impact of an electronic health record-linked mHealth platform (Orchestra) supporting patient and clinician collaboration through real-time, bidirectional data sharing. Methods: We conducted a 6-month prospective, pre-post, proof-of-concept study of Orchestra among patients and parents in the Cincinnati Children's Hospital inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) clinics. Participants and clinicians used Orchestra during and between visits to complete and view patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures …

Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdowns On Planned Cancer Surgery For 15 Tumour Types In 61 Countries: An International Prospective, Cohort Study, Covidsurg Collaborative

Department of Surgery Faculty Publications

Background: Surgery is the main modality of cure for solid cancers and was prioritised to continue during COVID-19 outbreaks. This study aimed to identify immediate areas for system strengthening by comparing the delivery of elective cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in periods of lockdown versus light restriction. Methods: This international, prospective, cohort study enrolled 20 006 adult (≥18 years) patients from 466 hospitals in 61 countries with 15 cancer types, who had a decision for curative surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and were followed up until the point of surgery or cessation of follow-up (Aug 31, 2020). Average national …

Factors Associated With Surgeon Recommendation For Additional Cast Immobilization Of A Ct-Verified Nondisplaced Scaphoid Waist Fracture, Anne Eve J. Bulstra, Tom J. Crijns, Stein J. Janssen, Geert A. Buijze, David Ring, Ruurd L. Jaarsma, Gino M.M.J. Kerkhoffs, Miryam C. Obdeijn, Job N. Doornberg, A. Peters, A. B. Spoor, Abhay Shrivastava, Aakash Chauhan, Adam Shafritz, Asif M. Ilyas, Anne J.H. Vochteloo, Andrew John Powell, Alberto Pérez Castillo, Alexandre Leme Godoy-Santos, Amparo Gomez Gelvez, Andrea Bauer, Antonio Barquet, Anze Kristan, Ante Prkic, Axel Jubel, Boj Mirck, B. E. Kreis, H. Brent Bamberger, William Dias Belangero, Bernard F. Hearon, Bradley Palmer

Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Publications

Introduction: Data from clinical trials suggest that CT-confirmed nondisplaced scaphoid waist fractures heal with less than the conventional 8-12 weeks of immobilization. Barriers to adopting shorter immobilization times in clinical practice may include a strong influence of fracture tenderness and radiographic appearance on decision-making. This study aimed to investigate (1) the degree to which surgeons use fracture tenderness and radiographic appearance of union, among other factors, to decide whether or not to recommend additional cast immobilization after 8 or 12 weeks of immobilization; (2) identify surgeon factors associated with the decision to continue cast immobilization after 8 or 12 weeks. …

Reduction Of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections In A Large Acute Care Hospital In Midwest United States Following Implementation Of A Comprehensive Central Line Insertion And Maintenance Bundle, Abraham E. Wei, Ronald J. Markert, Christopher Connelly, Hari Polenakovik

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a preventable medical condition that results in increased patient morbidity and mortality. We describe the impact of various quality improvement interventions on the incidence of CLABSI in an 848-bed community teaching hospital from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017. Aim: To reduce CLABSI rates after implementation of a comprehensive central line insertion and maintenance bundle. Methods: A comprehensive bundle of interventions was implemented incorporating the standard US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bundle with additional measures such as root-cause analysis of all CLABSI cases, use of passive disinfection caps on vascular …

Blood-Based Multi-Cancer Detection Using A Novel Variant Calling Assay (Deepgentm): Early Clinical Results, Rebecca M. Tuttle, Frederic Ris, Minia Hellan, Jonathan Douissard, Jorge J. Nieva, Frederic Triponez, Yanghee Woo, David Geller, Nicolas C. Buchs, Leo Buehler, Stefan Moenig, Christope E. Iselin, Wolfram Karenovics, Patrick Petignat, Giang Thanh Lam, Manuela Undurraga Malinervo, James R. Ouellette, Debashish Bose, Nael Ismail, Christian Toso

Department of Surgery Faculty Publications

This is an early clinical analysis of the DEEPGENTM platform for cancer detection. Newly diagnosed cancer patients and individuals with no known malignancy were included in a prospective open-label case-controlled study (NCT03517332). Plasma cfDNA that was extracted from peripheral blood was sequenced and data were processed using machine-learning algorithms to derive cancer prediction scores. A total of 260 cancer patients and 415 controls were included in the study. Overall, sensitivity for all cancers was 57% (95% CI: 52, 64) at 95% specificity, and 43% (95% CI: 37, 49) at 99% specificity. With 51% sensitivity and 95% specificity for all stage …

Trauma-Informed Care, Heather Forkey, Moira Szilagyi, Erin T. Kelly, James Duffee, Sarah H. Springer, Moira Szilagyi, Heather Forkey, Kristine Fortin, Mary Booth Vaden Greiner, Todd J. Ochs, Anu N. Partap, Linda Davidson Sagor, Deborah L. Shropshire, Jonathan D. Thackeray, Douglas Waite, Lisa Weber Zetley

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Distress Evaluation In A Veteran Affairs Oncology Clinic, Reena Jayani, Ronald J. Markert, Amy Heard, Geetika Kumar

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Distress in oncology patients (pts) has a negative impact on quality of life, survival, and healthcare satisfaction. Higher distress leads to lower compliance with treatment and follow-up [1-8]. The 2012 American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) standard of care for oncology pts included an assessment for distress [1]. A screening process for distress allows the healthcare team to address these issues early and refer to appropriate resources [2-9]. This project was initiated to meet National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and CoC standard of care, identify distress in veterans with cancer, and address these concerns. Patients who attended the …

Laboratory Markers Predictive Of Fulminant Clostridioides Difficile Infection Refractory To Fluid Resuscitation, Omar Ahmad, Timothy N. Crawford, Vaneet Arora, Mitu Karki Maskey

Family Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Old age, leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated creatinine have been identified as risk factors for fulminant Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). High ATLAS scores have also been linked to fatal disease. The affiliated studies, however, involved patients prescribed metronidazole - a regimen no longer standard of care. The variables were thus reassessed in patients prescribed optimal therapy.

Methods: Adults hospitalized with CDI at University of Kentucky Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Enrolled subjects were separated according to disease classification i.e. non-severe/severe versus fulminant CDI. Fulminant patients were further subdivided into hypotensive persons responsive to fluid resuscitation, and those with sequent shock, …

Evaluation Of Sars-Cov-2 Spike S1 Protein Response On Pi3k-Mediated Il-8 Release, Christina E. Borchers, Anita Thyagarajan, Christine M. Rapp, Jeffrey B. Travers, Ravi P. Sahu

Dermatology Faculty Publications

A novel coronavirus related to a condition known as a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was termed as SARS Coronavirus-19 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19), which has caused an unprecedented global pandemic. Extensive efforts have been dedicated worldwide towards determining the mechanisms of COVID-19 associated pathogenesis with the goals of devising potential therapeutic approaches to mitigate or overcome comorbidities and mortalities. While the mode of SARS-CoV-2 infection, its structural configuration, and mechanisms of action, including the critical roles of the Spike protein have been substantially explored, elucidation of signaling pathways regulating its cellular responses is yet to be fully determined. Notably, phosphoinositide …

Potential Involvement Of Microvesicle Particles In The Synergistic Effects Of Ultraviolet-B Radiation And Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Agonists On Cytokine Production, Shweta Bhadri, Pariksha Thapa, Christina E. Borchers, Christine M. Rapp, Jeffery B. Travers

Dermatology Faculty Publications

Cytokines play a pivotal role in regulating inflammation, which is a condition that makes thetissue vulnerable to different pathological and physiological conditions. Thus, how cytokinesare regulated is an important area of study. Skin that receives ultraviolet B radiation (UVB),a major pro-oxidative stressor, results in the release of multiple cytokines and chemokineslike tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-8. Previous studies from our groupand others have demonstrated synergistic release of TNF-alpha when UVB is combined withIL-1 or the lipid mediator Platelet-activating factor (PAF). Of interest, subcellularmicrovesicle particles (MVP) have been proposed to play an important role in intercellularcommunication. Moreover, UVB and …

Heightened Levels Of Microvesicle Particles Resulting From Combination Of Ethanol And Thermal Burn Injury, Chad Brewer, Azeezat A. Awoyemi, Christina E. Borchers, Jeffery B. Travers

Dermatology Faculty Publications

Ethanol, in combination with thermal burn injury, is a clinically significant problem resulting in an increase in morbidity and mortality due to acute multi-organ toxicity from excess systemic cytokine release. Moreover, murine models of intoxicated burn injury replicate the acEthanol, in combination with thermal burn injury, is a clinically significant problem resultingin an increase in morbidity and mortality due to acute multi-organ toxicity from excesssystemic cytokine release. Moreover, murine models of intoxicated burn injury replicate theacute toxic effects as well as a delayed systemic immunosuppression. Almost half of theadmitted hospital patients with burn injuries were alcohol intoxicated at the time …

First Profunda Artery Perforator Flap For Breast Reconstruction Performed At A Va Hospital, Kaitlynne Pak, Amanda Fang, Garrison Leach, Riley Dean, Sarah Crowley

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap for breast reconstruction originated by Dr. Robert J. Allen in 2010 after multiple failed attempts at using muscle-sparing transverse rectus abdominal muscle (MS-TRAM) flap and implants. This flap method was initially approached due to the patient’s request for an autologous tissue graft that did not sacrifice muscle. The PAP flap has grown significantly in popularity and usage in breast reconstruction and makes up to about 16% of autologous breast reconstruction, coming second to DIEP flaps (76%). This well-tolerated, muscle-sparing approach is ideal for patients without sufficient abdominal fat (low BMI or previous abdominal liposuction) …

The Role Of Art In Teaching Virtual Anatomy During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Shaigan Bhatti, Ashwatha Thenappan, Rose A. Maxwell, Marilyn Kindig

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The purpose of this study is to determine whether drawing anatomical structures and teaching it virtually to others improves student confidence in remembering anatomy and improves student perceptions of OB/GYN anatomy in the obstetrics and gynecology core clerkship. Active recall is a superior method of learning and memory retention because it practices information retrieval. If one draws an anatomic region of the human body after visualization and then teaches it, the learner would be exercising retrieval thus promotion retention of the material. The specific act of writing things down on paper promotes memory retention. This study sets a precedence of …

Identifying Factors Underlying The Decision For Genetic Carrier Screening Among Women In Montgomery County, Sowon Kim, Rose A. Maxwell

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Genetic Carrier Screening (GCS) is a genetic test that allows patients to find out if they carry genes for certain genetic disorders. The results of the test enable patients to make changes to their family planning decisions and prenatal care when appropriate and allow them the opportunity to seek further medical and social support. Despite these health benefits and notable clinical utility of GCS, GCS has not been utilized in most nations due to moral and ethical controversy among the public. Previous studies have demonstrated patients’ ethnicity, socio-demographic (age, education) and economic factors were associated with the patient’s intention to …

Access To Primary Care Among Emergency Department Patients, Megan Hanna, Nicholas Seitz, Steven Repas, Michael Harrington, David L. House, Tiffany Le, Derek Sorensen, Catherine Marco

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Primary care is an essential component of a robust healthcare system by promoting preventative medicine and health education. This study assessed the percentage of Emergency Department (ED) patients with access to primary care and barriers to primary care.

Tb Incidence In Us And Puerto-Rico From 1993 To 2017, Bowranigan Tharmalingam, Amber Todd

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The objective of this project is to test for possible correlation between the trend of Tuberculosis incidence rate in the US and the Tuberculosis incidence rate in PuertoRico from 1993 to 2017. Data from CDC Wonder-Online Tuberculosis InformationSystem and Pearson Correlation test were used to investigate the relationship. Analysis shows a positive association and a significant correlation between TB incidence rate between both region during the 26-year timeframe. This result has the potential for in-depth future research to identify the common variables and causes for the positive correlation.

Holding Traction During Ct: Simple Tricks To Maintain Reduction In The Lower Extremity, Garrhett G. Via, David A. Brueggeman, Alexander Chase, Jennifer L. Jerele, Kyle S. Mobley

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Traction is one of the pillars of orthopaedic injury management, as it can provide both temporizing and definitive treatment for anatomic malalignment associated with joint dislocations and fractures. In the realm of modern orthopaedic care, post-traction imaging provides the surgeon with information about resting fracture position and the overall effects of traction that are critical to preoperative planning. However, there are often circumstances in which an orthopaedic surgery provider is faced with the discrepancy between the proper sequence of orthopaedic care and the need for emergent, advanced imaging to evaluate other organ systems. In other words, they are often forced …

Liposomal Bupivacaine Infiltration And Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Standard Of Care For Post Caesarean Pain Control: A Retrospective Chart Review, Ellie Ganz, Darren Adams, Rose A. Maxwell, Theresa Roby, Marilyn Kindig

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and wound infiltration with local anesthetics are shown to reduce opiate use and pain scores when compared to controls who received narcotic pain medications. With the current opiate epidemic, finding different ways to control pain without opiates is important,-to prevent unnecessary use of these drugs and reduce the potential for addiction in patients having a Cesarean delivery who often times receive opiate medications on schedule regardless of their reported pain.

Predictive Factors For Early Breastmilk Discontinuation In Premature Infants: A Retrospective Study, Smiti Gupta, Darah Yuhas, Janet Wasylyshen-Valesco, Adrienne Stolfi

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by continuation of breastfeeding with introduction of complimentary foods for at least 1 year (1). There has been considerable success initiating breastfeeding in birth hospitals. This can largely be attributed to many beneficial programs, including the WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” (2, 3). Despite the success with increasing breastfeeding rates in birth hospitals, only 58.3% of US infants received breast milk at 6 months of age and only 25.6% of US infants were exclusively breastfed at 6 months in 2019 (4).This discrepancy is even greater for …

Adrenal Insufficiency Following Intraarticular Steroid Injections, Julia Hitchcock, Ankur Gupta

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

A 59-year-old woman presented with fatigue and 50 pounds weight gain in the last two years.She has been receiving triamcinolone steroid injections in both knees every three months for the last two years.She has also been receiving triamcinolone injections in ankles sporadically during this time period. Laboratory evaluation showed undetectable serum cortisol and inappropriately normal serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The patient underwent cosyntropinstimulation test confirming secondary adrenal insufficiency (Table 1).Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a normal pituitary gland with no tumors.She was started on hydrocortisone 10mg twice daily with improvement in fatigue.The patient was recommended to minimize steroid injections. The …

A Case Of Ruptured Cornual Pregnancy With Delivery Of A Viable Pre-Term Infant, Elana Miller, Elena Fuell-Wysong, Marilyn Kindig

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Interstitial and cornual ectopic pregnancies are rare forms of ectopic with high mortality rate. As such, they pose significant challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and follow up.

This patient was a 42 y/o female G2P1001 at 25+3 weeks gestational age who presented from an outside hospital after an episode of sudden onset abdominal pain with syncope. She was noted to have hypotension, tachycardia, lactic acidosis, and peritoneal free fluid. Physical exam was significant for peritoneal signs with abdominal guarding and rebound. Her pregnancy was complicated by advanced maternal age, THC use, and late presentation for prenatal care in the second trimester. …

The Role Of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators For The Prevention Of Ventricular Arrhythmia In Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients, Nikhil Reddy, Cristina Ortiz, Toshimasa Okabe, Muhammad Afzal, Mohamed H. Derbala, Asvin Ganapathi, Sakima Smith

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Advanced heart failure represents a significant strain on our health care system and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. New device therapies, including left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, have transformed management as both a destination therapy and as a bridge to transplantation. Although LVADs have improved patient outcomes, arrhythmias represent a significant and costly complication of this therapy. In recent years, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have been developed to reduce the incidence of lethal arrhythmia. However, a gap in the literature exists for both guidelines in prevention of early ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in LVAD recipients and the effectiveness of …

A Review Of Identified Barriers To Sunscreen Adherence For Skin Cancer Protection, Kaitlynne Pak, Ericson Torralba, Clayton Connor, Julian J. Trevino

Medical Student Research Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US and worldwide. A clear risk factor for all types of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) is UV exposure, whether artificial or natural. It is well-understood that regular sunscreen use with an SPF of 30 or greater reduces the risk of skin cancers; and especially that of melanoma, which is responsible for a majority of skin cancer deaths. However, the annual incidence of skin cancer cases, including melanoma, continues to rapidly rise in recent years. This may have a strong association with low rates of daily …