During the first semester of my sophomore year, our pod had to do a career research project that lasted throughout the entire first semester. This project consisted of a research paper on any occupation of your choice and also a display for your project at the pod career fair. We had to describe the education, earnings, and personality characteristics that were needed to become a successful person in the selected occupation. Also, we job shadowed someone who was already working in the selected occupation and interviewed them. The person who was job shadowed acted as the main source of information for the entire project. I choose to research about the dermatology field when I started this career project. This project is considered my best work of the year because I provided an insightful view of dermatologists and talked about the key factors of success whether they be physical or emotional. This should also be my best work because I was able to create a presentation on dermatologists and I also presented to the public information about the education background and other critical factors in the path of becoming a dermatologist. Lastly, this entire project required both critical thinking skills while I had to write a logical research paper but also creative skills when I had to create a presentation that was both informative and intriguing. This project is able to meet parts of the creative and critical thinking processes in the best works rubric. For critical thinking, I was able to talk about the education of a dermatologist starting from high school classes. Then I connected these high school classes to further education in colleges and universities. Then I explained the process of residencies and examinations to finalize the process of becoming a certified dermatologist. This shows that I was able to “reason carefully with well-documented supporting details.” These details would be all the sources listed in my bibliography and my interview of Dr. Craig Birkby, a dermatologist in Seattle. I also
“analyzed information with clarity and precision” because I didn’t bother to write about minute details about Dr. Craig Birkby’s life but rather the major turn points or actions he took in order to become a dermatologist. As for creative thinking, I choose to make a tri fold of the main information on dermatology and the field’s requirements, a poster about the harmful carcinogens in makeup, a stand up face with pop up facts about your skin, and a running power point about MOHS surgery and types of skin cancer to go on the side. Exhibition Pictures:
Running PowerPoint
MOHS SURGERY: Skin Cancer Solved
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma : The most common form of cancer formed when the Basal cell layer of the epidermis acquires malignant growth. Causes: Sun exposure acts as the major cause of basal cell carcinoma.
Melanoma
Melanoma: The most curable yet most fatal form of skin cancer. Causes: Exposure to UVA and UVB rays, moles, family/personal history, and weakened immune system.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: SCC, the second most common form of skin cancer, is caused by irregular cell growth in the outermost layer of the skin. Causes: Sun exposure, skin type, previous skin cancers, and weakened immunity.
What is MOHS?
MOHS is a surgical procedure used to treat skin cancers. MOHS has the highest cure rate for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
Advantages
Preserves more skin tissue compared to other surgical options when treating skin cancer. Allows surgeons to conduct precise removal of the cancer because they are able to trace areas of the cancer that are invisible to the naked eye.
Doesn’ Doesn’t require general anesthesia.
Disadvantages
Long and tedious for the surgeon. May become costly for different skin cancer situations. Not always available to all skin cancer patients.
Technique
The physician makes a reference map of the area to be excised. Then, local anesthesia is injected. Some physicians use a curette to remove one section of the infected tissue around the cancerous site. Each section is removed separately and examined in the laboratory. After a MOHS surgeon examines the infected section, the entire evaluation is repeated until all the cancer is removed.
Post Surgery
The wound usually heals by itself within four to eight weeks with little to no scarring. Physical activities will need to be restricted after surgery. Although not recommended, other surgical procedures can be conducted to correct possible scars.