Thursday, May 31, 2007

2007 Skin Cancer Facts

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. More than 250,000 cases are diagnosed each year, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths each year.
One in 5 Americans and one in 3 Caucasians will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. A person's risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Cause and effect

Darkening of the skin is caused by an increased release of the pigment melanin into the skin's cells after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes and protects the body from absorbing an excess of solar radiation, which can be harmful. Depending on genetics, some people can darken quickly and deeply whereas others do not darken much at all.

The ultraviolet frequencies responsible for tanning are often divided into the UVA (315 to 400nm wavelength) and UVB (280 to 315nm wavelength) ranges. UVB have higher energy than UVA waves and are therefore more damaging and more carcinogenic.

UVB
triggers creation and secretion of new melanin into the skin
is thought to cause the formation of moles and some types of skin cancer (but not melanoma)
causes skin aging (but at a far slower rate than UVA.)
stimulates the production of Vitamin D
is more likely to cause a sunburn than UVA as a result of overexposure, however moderate exposure can be healthy
is almost completely blocked by virtually all sunscreens

UVA
causes release of preexisting melanin from the melanocytes
causes the melanin to combine with oxygen (oxidize), which creates the actual tan color in the skin
seems to cause cancer less than UVB, but causes melanoma, a far more dangerous type of skin cancer than other types
is not blocked by many sunscreens but is blocked to some degree by clothing
is present more uniformly throughout the day, and throughout the seasons than UVB

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Examining close relatives

When skin cancer is diagnosed, it is standard practice for physicians to recommend that close relatives be examined immediately for melanoma and for the presence of unusual or atypical moles. These moles are also called "dysplastic nevi." You can read more about atypical moles in some of my older posts of this month in this blog.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Here is a self examination example

Coupled with a yearly skin exam by a doctor, self-examination of your skin once a month is the best way to detect the early warning signs of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, the three main types of skin cancer. Look for a new growth or any skin change.
What you'll need: a bright light; a full-length mirror; a hand mirror; two chairs or stools; a blow-dryer.
Examine head and face, using one or both mirrors. Use blow-dryer to inspect scalp.
Check hands, including nails. In full-length mirror, examine elbows, arms, underarms.
Focus on neck, chest, torso. Women: Check under breasts.
With back to the mirror, use hand mirror to inspect back of neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks, legs.
Sitting down, check legs and feet, including soles, heels, and nails. Use hand mirror to examine genitals.
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is especially hard to stop once it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. But it can be readily treated in its earliest stages.
source- the skin cancer foundation

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Skin self-examination

Examination Scheduling
Individuals with the Atypical Mole Syndrome can improve their chances of early detection by increasing the frequency of skin self-examination and by visiting a physician more often. The clinician may take photographs to document whether there are new moles or changes in older ones.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Melanoma in Children

Children in melanoma-prone families need special care, because familial melanoma is likely to make its appearance early in life. Even though these cancers usually do not appear until after adolescence, they may arise in much younger children who have a family history of melanoma. Most physicians, therefore, advise parents to make a point of studying a child's skin frequently from infancy on.
Physician examination should start at the age of ten and continue on a twice-a-year basis thereafter. Particular care should be taken at puberty and during adolescence when hormonal changes activate the moles. Here is some encouraging news: Because melanoma families are on the lookout for the disease and seek professional consultation early, the survival rate for familial melanoma is even higher than that for non-familial melanomas.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Moles in an Acive Stage

Moles in an Active Stage
Moles in people belonging to melanoma-prone families are subject to change at certain times of life. They may get larger or show alterations in color or elevation, so for those periods, they are described as being active. While the reasons for these changes are not fully known, there could be a hormonal component: Moles are more active at puberty and during pregnancy. Many — but not all — physicians advise high-risk individuals not to take hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Who are at a greater risk?

Family Syndrome
When atypical moles are found in an individual belonging to a melanoma family, the condition is known as FAMMM, standing for Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome. People with this syndrome are at the greatest risk of developing melanoma. In contrast, a research study found that those family members who did not have atypical moles were much less likely to develop melanoma.
Genetic Risk Factors
A mutation (alteration) in a recently discovered gene, the BRAF, may play a part in causing melanoma. In one study, this mutated gene was found in two-thirds of the melanoma cells analyzed. BRAF is called a "switch" gene, because it turns on to allow the cells to grow and divide. Mutations in this gene can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. The discovery is an exciting research breakthrough, but physicians and patients are still years away from reaping the rewards. Ultimately, the understanding of the BRAF gene could lead to the development of diagnostic tools and drug therapies. The mutations most commonly seen in familial melanoma occur in another gene, p53. When this gene is in its normal state, its main function is to give damaged cells time to repair themselves and not progress to cancer. However, when the gene is altered, it becomes unable to perform this function, and cancer can result. A number of gene mutations in addition to p53 and BRAF have been associated with familial melanoma. In the future, families might be screened so as to identify those members who are carrying a defective gene.

Monday, May 21, 2007

BE VIGILENT!

We are all at risk for melanoma. However, some people are more at risk than others. Heredity plays a major role. If your mother, father, siblings, or children (first-degree relatives) have had a melanoma, you are part of a melanoma-prone family. Each person with a first-degree relative diagnosed with melanoma has a 50 percent greater chance of developing the disease than members of the general public who do not have a family history of the disease. If the cancer occurred in a grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew (second-degree relatives), there is still an increase in risk compared to the general population, though it is not as great.
About one of every ten patients diagnosed with the disease has a family member with a history of melanoma. If melanoma is present in your family, you can protect yourself and your children by being particularly vigilant in watching for the early warning signs and finding the cancer when it is easiest to treat. -The Skin Cancer Foundation

Friday, May 18, 2007

Sun tips for men and women


Seek the shade.
Be aware, however, that sunlight bouncing off reflective surfaces can reach you even beneath an umbrella or a tree.

Never seek a tan.
There is no such thing as a healthy tan. A tan is the skin's response to the sun's damaging rays.
Stay away from tanning parlors and artificial tanning devices.
The UV radiation emitted by indoor tanning lamps is many times more intense than natural sunlight. Dangers include burns, premature aging of the skin, and the increased risk of skin cancer.

Protect your children and teach them sun safety at an early age.
Healthy habits are best learned young. Because skin damage occurs with each unprotected exposure and accumulates over the course of a lifetime, sun safety for children should be a priority.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Everyday sun basics

Cover up.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Tightly woven fabrics and dark colors, such as deep blue and black, or bright colors, such as orange and red, offer more protection. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through too. Water makes fabrics more translucent, so do not rely on a wet T-shirt.
A broad-brimmed hat goes a long way toward preventing skin cancer in often-exposed areas like the neck, ears, scalp, and face. Opt for a 3-4 inch brim that extends all around the hat. Baseball caps and visors shade the face but leave neck, lower face, and ears exposed.
UV-blocking sunglasses with wraparound or large frames protect your eyelids and the sensitive skin around your eyes, common sites for skin cancer and sun-induced aging. Sunglasses also help reduce the risk of cataracts later in life.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

They are called "tan-orexics" or obsessive tanners.
They are people who become addicted to the way they feel while getting that bronze glow.
NBC10 reported that people can become addicted to the tanning bed and can experience a "high" much like a drug addiction.

Some doctors have said it's a real problem and victims have said withdrawal is much like stopping heroin.
The addiction is not just because of the way they look with a tan, but they simply must tan a lot, despite being aware of the danger.

Tara Burtonis was stuck inside all day at work and her only sun exposure was fake. She spent 30 minutes, three times a week in a tanning bed.
"I was addicted to tanning," she said. "I think it physically makes me look better, but it's mostly for the feeling that it gives me."
A feeling that dermatologist Steven Feldman said people could get addicted to.
"Their skin looks terrible and it's wrinkled and I ask them why are they doing it? And they say things like, 'Oh, it just makes me feel so good,'" he said.
Feldman said people who are addicted experience a high much like drug addiction.
"The skin releases endorphins, feel good molecules, from skin cells when they're hit by ultraviolet light," he said.
When frequent tanners stop it's like taking their drugs away, Feldman said.
"
They get the shakes; they get sweaty," he said.
Burtonis felt withdrawal symptoms when she stopped tanning.
"I had nausea, vomiting, I felt jittery," she said.
It made her realize she no longer wanted to be tan -- she needed to tan.
"I definitely don’t feel as good," she said.

Unlike alcohol or drug addiction, tanning won't kill you, but it is the leading cause of melanoma, which kills 8,000 Americans each year.
Doctors said there is no easy cure for tanning addiction. The only thing tanners can do is spend more time in natural sunlight to feel better.
And use self-tanning lotions to safely get the look you want.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Every day sun protection tips

Sun-protection basics all year round to give your skin the best chance of long-term health:
Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher whenever you spend time outdoors.
This applies to all outdoor activities: athletics, shopping, picnicking, walking or jogging, gardening, even waiting for a bus.
Choose a sunscreen with ingredients that block both UVB and UVA rays.
Apply liberally and evenly to all exposed skin. The average adult in a bathing suit should use approximately one ounce of sunscreen per application. Not using enough will effectively reduce the product's SPF and the protection you get.
Be sure to cover often-missed spots: lips, ears, around eyes, neck, scalp if hair is thinning, hands, and feet.
Reapply at least every 2 hours, more often if some of the product may have been removed while swimming, sweating, or towel-drying.
Choose a product that suits your skin and your activity. Sunscreens are available in lotion, gel, spray, cream, and stick forms. Some are labeled as water resistant, sweatproof, or especially for sports; as fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, or especially for sensitive skin or children.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Every day counts!

You are probably in the habit of packing sunscreen for a day at the beach or pool. But the sun is up there 365 days a year, and you need protection much of that time to reduce your lifetime sun-exposure total. Everyday exposure counts; you do not have to be actively sunbathing to get a damaging dose of the sun. Practice sun-protection basics all year round to give your skin the best chance of long-term health.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Wow- surprising data!

Did you know that 15 minutes of exposure per day over the course of a month will lead to 8 hours of beach-like sun exposure? Whether you're walking to the car or sitting by a window, daily activities put your skin at risk. In fact, on average a person receives 18 hours of incidental sun exposure each week! Whether you're intentionally bathing in the sun or just going about your day, unprotected sun exposure results are the same-from sunburn, wrinkles and freckles to skin texture changes, dilated blood vessels, and sometimes even certain skin cancers.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

One in five!

Did you know that incidental sun exposure from daily activities puts your skin at risk and may result in skin damage such as sunburn, wrinkles, freckles, skin texture changes, dilated blood vessels, and sometimes even certain skin cancers? In fact, skin cancer is one of the few cancers where the cause of the majority of cases—excessive sun exposure—is known.
At current rates, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and more than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year alone. However, practicing comprehensive sun protection can substantially lower skin cancer risk.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Self-Care


The following list I got from the Skin Cancer Foundation. They are the guidelines recommended to protect ourselves from skin damage.

Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
Do not burn.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Even common moles can be dangerous!

Even common moles increase the likelihood of malignancy, provided they are numerous. The greater the total number of moles on the body, the greater the overall danger of melanoma, regardless of whether these moles are atypical or normal-appearing. People who have more than 60 moles are 15 times more likely to develop melanoma than are those with no moles, and individuals who have more than 100 moles are at 50 times the risk.

Monday, May 7, 2007

The first sign of skin cancer

Atypical moles are an important risk factor for melanoma. Sometimes, melanomas will begin within the mole itself. Dysplastic nevi usually have the following characteristics:
Shape: asymmetrical; a line drawn through the middle would not create matching halves
Border: irregular and/or hazy – the mole gradually fades into the surrounding skin
Color: variation and irregularity with subtle, haphazard areas of tan, brown, dark brown, blue, or black
Diameter: generally larger than 6 mm, but may be smaller
Location: most commonly on the back, chest, abdomen, and extremities; may also occur on normally unexposed areas such as buttocks, groins, or female breasts, as well as scalp
Growth: enlargement of a previously stable mole or appearance of a new mole after ages 35 - 40 should raise suspicion
Surface: central portion may be flat or raised, sometimes with tiny "pebbly" variations
Appearance: greatly varied; dysplastic nevi often look different from one another
Number: from a few to well over 100 dysplastic nevi may be present If any of these warning signs appear on your own skin or that of a friend or family member, consult a dermatologist right away. It could be the first sign of skin cancer.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Normal mole vs. Dysplastic nevi

Normal Moles Vs. Dysplastic Nevi
The average young adult has about 25 normal moles or growths. Generally, normal moles have the following characteristics:
Shape: symmetrical, round, or oval
Border: regular, sharp, and well-defined
Color: usually tan, brown, or skin color
Diameter: usually 6 mm (1/4 inch) or smaller — about the size of a pencil eraser
Location: often concentrated on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, trunk, arms and legs.
Onset: most often during early childhood through ages 35 - 40
Uniformity: resemble one another

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Dysplastic Nevi Syndrome

Dysplastic nevi are atypical moles, which, although benign, resemble melanoma and indicate an increased risk. Those who have dysplastic nevi and a family history of melanoma have a 200-fold increase in risk of developing melanoma. Those who have dysplastic nevi but no family history of melanoma also have up to fifteen times greater risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
Research has shown that the risk of melanoma in members of families affected by atypical mole (dysplastic nevus) syndrome is 49 percent in persons 1-50 years old and 82 percent by age 72. People with “classic atypical mole syndrome” have the following three characteristics:
100 or more moles
One or more moles greater than 8mm (1/3 inch) in diameter
One or more moles that look atypical
If your doctor suspects the presence of dysplastic nevi, one or more moles may be removed by “excision biopsy,” a minor surgical procedure, for microscopic examination. It is not necessary to remove all dysplastic nevi. If moles show change or signs of melanoma, or if new moles appear after age 40, they may be considered for removal by your physician.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

What's YOUR skin type?

Your skin type is one of the main factors in your risk for skin cancer. People with higher risk should take extra precautions when they are out in the sun.
Skin is classified according to two factors: the amount of melanin, and the reaction to ultraviolet light exposure.
There are six skin phototypes, going from light to dark. Individuals with skin types I and II face the highest risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers, while types V and VI are at the lowest risk. That is because those with more pigmentation have more natural protection from the sun. However, people with darker skin are nonetheless affected by skin cancer and should be cautious of the sun as well as having regular examinations by their doctor.
To get an idea of your degree of risk, rate yourself according to the following classification.
Type I: Is very fair, burns easily and severely and does not tan. Eyes are blue or green and hair is blond or red.
Type II: Is also fair and burns easily, but does get a minimal tan. Eyes are blue, hazel or brown, and hair is blond, red or brown.
Type III: Is somewhat darker and sometimes burns then tans.
Type IV: Is darker still, never burns, and always tans rapidly.
Types V: Is brown.
Type VI: Is black.
When determining your skin types, give careful thought to your medical history of tanning and burning. Sometimes, a person may look like a skin type III, but has a history of frequent burning that will place him or her a type II. If you are not sure, put yourself in a higher risk category rather than a lower one.
-The Skin Cancer Foundation

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Self examination is the best prevention!

Coupled with a yearly skin exam by a doctor, self-examination of your skin once a month is the best way to detect the early warning signs of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, the three main types of skin cancer. Look for a new growth or any skin change.
What you'll need: a bright light; a full-length mirror; a hand mirror; two chairs or stools; a blow-dryer.

Examine head and face, using one or both mirrors. Use blow-dryer to inspect scalp.
Check hands, including nails. In full-length mirror, examine elbows, arms, underarms.
Focus on neck, chest, torso.
Women: Check under breasts.
With back to the mirror, use hand mirror to inspect back of neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks, legs.
Sitting down, check legs and feet, including soles, heels, and nails. Use hand mirror to examine genitals.
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is especially hard to stop once it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. But it can be readily treated in its earliest stages.
source- The Skin Cancer Foundation