The questions for nail care expert Nancy Armfield came quickly: What should I look for in my nails to spot disease? How often should I get a pedicure?
Those were some of the concerns on the minds of the more than 140 people who attended the 2024 Hair and Health Symposium Oct. 13 at the Stardust Ballroom at the Edgerton R-Center. In its fourth year, the event aims to help people understand how a person’s hair, nails and skin reveal signs of their health, how the beauty routines they have affect their health.
The symposium is hosted by local barbers and stylists who have been trained as Community Health Educators through the Get It Done Program. Common Ground Health sponsors the Get It Done program and event, and this year’s program was also sponsored by UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.
This year’s speakers included Dr. Kerry Graff, who encouraged people to try lifestyle changes, including improving sleep habits, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, eating more whole, plant-based foods, increasing physical activity and finding things they enjoy doing.
Diamond Guy, a fourth-year medical student studying dermatology and a founder of ROCDermEd, spoke about skin conditions and urged everyone to use sunscreen daily, as it can prevent skin cancer. She noted that there are some skin conditions that can be signs of disease in the body, and she showed photos of common dermatologic conditions and skin cancers.
“The skin and your body are all connected, and we want to make sure we are taking care of your body overall,” Guy said.
Colon cancer also a focus
Gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr. Janice Cheong spoke about colon cancer and the importance of removing polyps during a colonoscopy so they don’t develop cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in the U.S. and the third most likely to cause deaths.
She shared signs of the disease, including rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and low blood pressure/anemia. Risk factors include age, personal history, type 2 diabetes and race ethnicity, cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use. Colon cancer can often be slow-moving and has a prolonged pre-cancerous stage, but it can often be caught with screening.
“Not everyone has heard about screening, and not everyone has access to screening,” Dr. Cheong said.
She encouraged attendees to capture their family health history, especially around cancer. People without other risk factors should get their first colonoscopy at age 45.
Rayna Brooks, CEO of the Mobile Spa, spoke about the importance of self-care, such as creating a morning ritual.
The day also included a moment of silence to remember Chris Abert, a compassionate recovery advocate who spoke at the event in the past. Abert, who founded the New York Recovery Alliance, died in September of cancer.