As the Baby Boomers hit
their 60's,
they are paying for a life time of tanning. Skin cancers are at the
highest numbers since statistics have been kept, pigment disorders are prevalent,
teen- agers are even being diagnosed with deadly melanoma and the multi-billion dollar cosmetics industry is raking in the profits for
"Anti Aging Skin Care and Make Up"! The health industry in the
United States has
virtually ignored educating the public so on this page, as well as our skin care
center in Portland Oregon, we strive to promote good health, new
information and protection strategies everyone can use.
Tell family and friends
to learn about skin cancer
A very important reason
to get annual check ups for skin cancer is that new forms are being discovered
and the symptoms may vary a great deal! If you've been a sun worshipper,
you may need to do this twice a year to be safe. Aggressive forms of
cancer need to be treated early to save your life. Here are exhibits of
newly discovered type of skin cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma. It's very
aggressive, looks like a simple bruised lump under the skin and quickly
spreads. Three times as deadly as melanoma, rarely diagnosed as cancer,
this is dangerous. Read up about Merkel
Cell Carcinoma.
Avoid using sun screen products near the
eyes unless they are specifically formulated for such use. Spf over
8 can sting the eyes even when applied 1" away - chemical spf
ingredients give off gas as they warm up on the skin. Avoid getting any below the eye brows and
above the cheekbone, wash hands before applying eye products. Then
apply sunscreen to the rest of the face. Take special care with
children that they don't rub sunscreen into their eyes.
"Photo Damage" in
relation to the skin usually refers to pigmentation
changes (more accurately
called hyper pigmentation) and sun damage
(solar photo damage). These are two closely related issues which manifest
in color changes, wrinkles, flat and raised spots, deep facial lines, sagging
tissue, crows feet around the eyes and other signs we refer to as
"aging" of the skin. While both
result from sun exposure, each has other triggers as well. The risk of
skin cancer is a danger of unprotected exposure to the sun (and tanning beds)
over time. The increased occurrences of skin cancers have researchers
around the world very concerned in 2006. Lets look more closely at the
issues because to be informed is to have a choice in the matter, are you going
to take steps to protect yourself and your family to increase longevity and
health?! Or will you become a statistic in a treatable and preventable
disease?
"Photo Damage" in
relation to the skin usually refers to pigmentation
changes (more accurately
called hyper pigmentation) and sun damage
(solar photo damage). These are two closely related issues which manifest
in color changes, wrinkles, flat and raised spots, deep facial lines, sagging
tissue, crows feet around the eyes and other signs we refer to as
"aging" of the skin. While both
result from sun exposure, each has other triggers as well. The risk of
skin cancer is a danger of unprotected exposure to the sun (and tanning beds)
over time. The increased occurrences of skin cancers have researchers
around the world very concerned in 2006. Lets look more closely at the
issues because to be informed is to have a choice in the matter, are you going
to take steps to protect yourself and your family to increase longevity and
health?! Or will you become a statistic in a treatable and preventable
disease?
When I consult with new clients, I ask
"how much sun do you get?" and commonly the reply is "not
much, I don't lay out in the sun". When I ask them to list how many
minutes they commute to work a day, work in the garden, ride a bike, take a
walk, walk to the store, they are shocked at how the minutes add up for daily
exposure! Try this list yourself today and see what your answer would be!
Bad weather offers no refuge either. At the beach or on
the slopes, for example, even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, dangerous
ultraviolet rays travel through clouds to reflect off
sand, water, or snow. Sun elevation: the higher the sun in
the sky, the higher the UV radiation level. Thus UV radiation levels vary with
time of day and time of year. Latitude: the closer to equatorial regions,
the higher the UV radiation levels. Cloud cover: UV radiation levels are
highest under cloudless skies but even with cloud cover, they can be high. Altitude:
at higher altitudes, a thinner atmosphere absorbs less UV radiation.
Ozone: ozone absorbs some of the UV radiation that would otherwise reach the
Earth's surface. Ground reflection: grass, soil and water reflect less
than 10% of UV radiation; fresh snow reflects as much as 80%; dry beach sand
about 15% and sea foam about 25%. Did you know that a T shirt only gives you an
SPF of 3? Many burns happen through white T shirts - just look at
men who work outdoors. Now think about being stuck in traffic in
your car with no hat on, no sun screen handy to apply while you sit there
bathed in Ultra Violet light.
Read up on SPF research because
right now the statistics are that the difference between SPF 30 and anything
higher is only the value of SPF 3. Screens loaded with chemicals may
actually be harmful, especially with children, as they react with the sun, the
heat, your skin, your moisturizer, your make up and your perspiration.
Patch test a new product on your neck, under your ear and check it over the
course of 3 hours to see if rashes or bumps or irritations occur. Keep
your receipt and return to store if this is the case.
February 2007:"Time spent driving may up cancer risk: study"
Drivers who spend a significant amount of time behind the
wheel face a greater risk of developing skin cancer on the left side of the
body, according to new U.S. research.
Dermatologist Dr. Scott Fosko, chairman of dermatology at
Saint Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, led a study
examining the incidence of left-side skin cancers in U.S. patients and driving
trends of adults.
"Our initial findings confirm that there is a
correlation between more time spent driving and a higher incidence of
left-sided skin cancers, especially on sun-exposed areas in men," Fosko
said in a statement.
In a presentation to the 65th annual meeting of the American
Academy of Dermatology, Fosko said the study involved 898 patients -- 559 men
and 339 women. Nearly two-thirds, or 64 percent, of left-side cancers
were found in men compared with about one-third, or 36 percent, in women.
Fosko noted that his team also found a statistically significant number of
left-side skin cancers on sun-exposed areas such as the head, neck, arms and
hands in men, but not in women. "This incidence directly correlates
to the areas of the body most often exposed to UV radiation while
driving," he said.
It’s the fastest growing and most
common form of cancer in the U.S. One in five Americans will develop it during
his or her lifetime. And one person dies from a form of it almost every hour.
What is it? Skin cancer. July 2009, estimated new cases stands at 68,720
and deaths at 8650 from melanoma.
Generally,
your risk of developing skin cancer increases as you age because the effects of
sun damage accumulate over time. Until recently, the more treatable non-melanoma
skin cancers were considered a problem for people over age 50. However, the
occurrence of these cancers in younger adults has increased sharply.
Recently I spoke with a dermatologist who has had teen-agers come to his clinic
with melanoma in late stage! Teach your children to check their skin and
create a healthful lifetime habit to save their lives. Melanoma is the
most diagnosed form of cancer in American women ages 24-29. Young men are
being diagnosed as young as 16 - especially out West from working outdoors on
farms, ranches, construction...
More than 1 million Americans will be
diagnosed with skin cancer this year, and the number of cases has tripled in women
under 40 over the last three decades. There are
more new skin cancer cases each year than breast, prostate, lung and colon
cancer combined
Mayo Clinic researchers have
documented the increase by tracking skin cancer incidence in adults under age 40
in southern Minnesota. Between 1976 and 2003, the incidence of basal cell skin
cancers -- a non-melanoma skin cancer -- roughly tripled in women, to more than
30 women per 100,000. The rate slightly increased among men, from about 23 to
nearly 27 per 100,000.
Typically, 90 percent of
non-melanoma cancers develop on sun-exposed skin such as the head and neck. In
the Mayo Clinic study, only 60 percent of the cancers were found on sun-exposed
skin, leading to the suspicion that visits to the tanning booth might account
for those cancers.
RISK FACTORS FOR
MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA: OVER 50, TANNING
RISK FACTORS FOR MELANOMA
SKIN CANCER:
Sunlight (UV
radiation): Too much exposure to UV radiation is a risk factor
for melanoma. The main source of such radiation is sunlight. Tanning lamps
and booths are another source and more dangerous because of year-round
access 24 hours a day, unlike the sun.
Moles: A
mole (nevus) is a benign (not cancerous) skin tumor. Certain types of moles
increase a person's chance of getting melanoma. People with lots of moles,
and those who have some large moles, have an increased risk for melanoma.
Fair skin versus dark:
People with fair skin, freckling, or red or blond hair have a higher risk of
melanoma. This does not rule out people of darker complexions,
contrary to popular belief. Once melanoma develops, its more serious
in African skin as Scottish! Unfortunately the darker peoples' skin
the less sun protection they practice because of the belief that they are
not at risk.
Family history: Around
10 percent of people with melanoma have a close relative (mother father,
brother, sister, child) with the disease. This could be because the family
tends to spend more time in the sun or because the members have fair skin,
or both.
Immune suppression: People
who have been treated with medicines that suppress the immune system, such
as transplant patients, have an increased risk of developing melanoma.
Age:
Melanoma is more likely to happen to older people. But it is one of the few
cancers that is also found in younger people.
Gender:
Men have a higher rate of this cancer than women. Recent study in the
USA determined Oregon ranked #1 for men's skin cancer and the common consensus
is that men just don't practice sun protection like women do. Most
skin care and make up products women apply have some amount of sun
protection ingredients in them. Men, in general, world wide, do not
bother to apply a sunscreen product on a regular basis. They have the
highest incidence of death due to skin cancer because they do not see a
physician about suspicious skin lesions until its too late. This
includes cases of teen aged boys as well so let's quit thinking we don't
have to worry til we're old!
Xeroderma pigmentosum
(XP): This is a rare, inherited condition. People with XP are
less able to repair damage caused by sunlight and are thus at greater risk
of melanoma.
Past history of
melanoma: A person who has already had melanoma has a higher
risk of getting another melanoma.
Check Ups: annual mole checks by your dermatologist
even if you do not live in a sunny region or even if you protect your skin by
using sun screen products. Twice a
year if you spend a lot of time in the outdoors (this includes snow sports so
don't think cold, snowy regions or vacations aren't risky). If you have
had a history of skin cancer, ask your doctor how often you need to be checked
and schedule your appointments! Make your birthday an annual day of check
ups for health! Many doctors and hospitals have Free
Cancer Screening events so watch your local newspaper for listings or call your
local dermatologist. When you book any appointment to see a dermatologist
for a skin cancer screening make sure you emphasis "full body check".
Otherwise they may schedule you for "a" mole check up meaning the
doctor has only booked out enough time to look at 1. Be specific.
You could also bring in a "map" you've drawn of your face, body to
circle suspicious moles you have noticed.
Photo-protective clothing is also entering the mainstream
as it grows more affordable and fashionable. Experts say people should buy
clothes that were at least a SPF of 30. These fabrics usually hold up well in
the wash for a few cleanings and there are laundry additives to wash sun protection into
clothing. Tightly woven fabrics like denim and polyester keep the rays from
penetrating the skin. Check out the internet for the many reputable brands
that sell these.
Melanin Makes Skin Vulnerable To Harmful
Ultraviolet Rays
Science
Daily — Blondes and redheads not only are more susceptible to skin
cancer, but the source of their skin and hair pigmentation, melanin, actually
magnifies the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays, according to a study
published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
Melanin filters out UV radiation, but the melanin in hair
follicles, particularly in light hair, actually increases the sun damaging
effects of UV rays and causes cell death in the hair follicle, said Douglas
Brash, principal investigator and professor of therapeutic radiology, genetics
and dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
Brash said he had been curious why people with dark hair and
fair skin were not as vulnerable to skin cancer as fair skinned blondes and
redheads. "I wondered if it was related to the melanin," he said.
Brash's laboratory used mice engineered with pigmentation for
yellow or black hair, as well as albino mice with no pigment at all. The
researchers then irradiated the mice with UV rays that are about the same as
what breaks through the ozone layer, affecting humans. The
cell death was concentrated around the hair follicles, which are the only
location of melanin in mice. Dying cells were particularly pronounced in the
yellow-haired mice and was absent in albinos.
"What this tells us is that melanin is not only good for
you, it also can be bad. It depends on the color of your particular
melanin," Brash said. "Even red melanin can vary widely, depending on
whether your ancestors were Irish, Swedish or Dutch, and some of these
variations are known to be associated with greater risk for skin cancer."
Dark Skin Does Not Block Skin Cancer
Apply a visible film of sun screen products, and for
darker complexions, look for the new "invisible" lotions that don't
leave white streaks.
Contrary to common perception, people with dark skin are more likely to
die from skin cancer than those with fairer skin, warn US researchers.
Although the disease is less common, when it does occur it is
typically more aggressive and diagnosed later, which leads to more deaths, they
explain. The Cincinnati University work is a warning
to anyone who wrongly assumes skin tone makes some immune to cancers. Experts advise people of all races to protect their skin from sun
damage.
Misconception
Lead researcher Dr Hugh Gloster said: "There's a
perception that people with darker skin don't have to worry about skin cancer,
but that's not true. "Minorities do get skin
cancer, and because of this false perception most cases aren't diagnosed until
they are more advanced and difficult to treat.
"Unfortunately, that translates into higher mortality
rates."
He said it was true that the extra pigment in darker skin did
afford some added protection against the sun's harmful UV rays and that darker
skin is, therefore, less susceptible to sunburn. But
he said this should not lull people with darker skin into a false sense of
security. Dark skin has increased epidermal melanin
which provides a natural skin protection factor (SPF) - a measure of how long
skin covered with sunscreen takes to burn compared with uncovered skin.
Very dark, black skin has a natural SPF of about 13 and
filters twice as much UV radiation as white skin, for example.
Sun protection
However, health experts advise people to use sunscreen with an
SPF of at least 15. Dr Gloster told a meeting of the
American Academy of Dermatology in San Diego that doctors should make sure that
all of their patients, regardless of race, use sunscreen and self-check for skin
cancers.
This study shows that even people with darker skin need to be
aware of the signs of skin cancer
Ed Yong, cancer information officer at Cancer
Research UK
Malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer,
can present differently in different races. Fairer-skinned
people may notice a change in a sun-exposed mole, whilst darker-skinned people
might develop the cancer on areas protected from the sun such as the soles of
the feet.
There are over 70,000 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed each
year in the UK, making it the most common type of cancer.
Ed Yong, cancer information officer at Cancer Research UK,
said: "This study shows that even people with darker skin need to be aware
of the signs of skin cancer. "Although those
most at risk of skin cancer are people with fair skin, lots of moles or freckles
or a family history of the disease, it is also important for black people to
check their skin regularly. "Black people are
most likely to develop skin cancers on the palms of their hands or the soles of
their feet."
"Checking your skin for unusual changes is crucial as it
can mean that the disease can be spotted earlier, when it is easier to
treat."
Sunscreen lotions may not protect against skin cancer, according to a study
by British doctors...Study published July 2006:
They have found some leading brands fail to stop the sun's damaging rays from
penetrating the skin. Writing in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, they said further
research is needed to see what, if any, creams are effective. The doctors said staying out of the sun or covering up when outside is the
best way to protect against skin cancer.
Editor's note, January 2008: did the
study investigate the fact that people may just not be applying the products
according to manufacturers instructions? I have noted thousands of
customers, friends, relatives and acquaintances over the past 25 years who just
don't take it seriously and are lax in using their products, if they even own a
sunscreen.
August 2008: USA news agencies have
alerted the media that top selling American brands have sold ineffective
sunscreens to us for years! That these companies suggested in their
advertising and labeling that their sunscreens last all day. This is not
true of any product worldwide today.
Sunscreen Can Damage Skin if Applied Infrequently
- Study published August 29, 2006 (and backed up in August 2008 with new study
findings).
When used properly, sunscreens are proven to prevent
skin
damage. But if not applied often enough, a sunscreen can actually enhance
skin damage, according to a new study.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun
is absorbed by skin molecules and generates reactive oxygen species, or ROS
molecules, which cause visible signs of aging by damaging cell walls and the DNA
inside them. Too much sun, especially in childhood, increases the risk of skin
cancer. Sunscreens contain UV filters that block radiation
from penetrating below the outer skin later, called the epidermis.
But over time, the filters themselves penetrate deeper into the skin, allowing
more UV radiation in. Then things get worse.
In the new study, scientists found that three widely used, FDA-approved UV
filters (octylmethoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3 and octocrylene) actually
generate ROS in skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. So the sun
damage is multiplied when the sunscreen has been on too long.
"Sunscreens do an excellent job protecting against sunburn when used
correctly," said chemist Kerry Hanson of the University of California,
Riverside. "This means using a sunscreen with a high sun protection
factor [SPF] and applying it uniformly on the skin. Our data show, however,
that if coverage at the skin surface is low, the UV filters in sunscreens that
have penetrated into the epidermis can potentially do more harm than
good." Hanson and colleagues applied sunscreen to model skin tissue
and imaged its travels into deeper layers and the effects. "More
advanced sunscreens that ensure that the UV-filters stay on the skin surface
are needed," Hanson said. Also, the researchers note that while
most sunscreens block one wavelength-band of ultraviolet radiation, called
UVB, few block the deeper-penetrating UVA. The federal government just
approved in July a UVA blocker for use in the United States.
Meanwhile, the scientists have passed along the advice of the Skin Cancer
Foundation, which recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours, and
especially after sweating or swimming.
September 2008: It has been brought to my
attention that to get a sunscreen product mentioned in the Skin Cancer
Foundation's periodical, a manufacturer is required to make substantial
contributions to the fund raising of this organization. jmp
Patented sunscreen Mexoryl is the only
chemical known to block all UVA rays and some UVB rays. Mexoryl can
protect skin from sunburn by itself, but it must be combined with other active
sunscreen agents to gain an official SPF rating. Sunscreens based on mexoryl
have been available in Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world since 1993,
and became available in the USA in 2006. Available only in brands owned
by L'Oreal Cosmetics, holders of the US Patent.
I
prefer broad spectrum, natural ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide,
minerals, which are actually good for your skin and safety studies have
always been credible. I will advise my clients to purchase a Mexoryl
product if they are vacationing in the tropics, mountain climbing or going to
the desert for several days, but generally speaking, research scientists
continue to back the effectiveness and safety factors of these 2 mineral sun
screens. jmp
There are new tools to help stay safe in the
sun, including so-called "sunscreen pills."
"Basically, these pills are made up of beta carotene and vitamin
antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to
help protect the skin against the DNA damage the sun can create," said
Paula Bourelly, a Maryland dermatologist. "There's nothing wrong with these
pills, per se. There haven't been enough studies on their effectiveness as yet,
and they don't replace sunscreen."
Dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad has a daily supplement that has proven successful with several years on the market now,
PomPhenol®
The ABCDE's of Moles & Melanoma
Moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are usually harmless —
usually, but not always. Anyone who has more than 100 moles is at greater
risk for melanoma. The first signs can appear in one or more of these moles.
That's why it's so important to get to know your skin very well. Examine the
skin all over your body once a month and have a physician check you over
once a year. Learn about the newest, most aggressive form of skin
cancer to be identified: Merkel Cell Carcinoma and ask your doctor to look
for it.
Asymmetry
If you draw a line through this mole, the two halves will not
match, meaning it is asymmetrical, a warning sign for melanoma.
Border
The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may
be scalloped or notched.
Color
Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of
different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may
also become red, white or blue.
Diameter
Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the
eraser on your pencil (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but they may sometimes be
smaller when first detected.
Evolving
When a mole is evolving, see a doctor. Any change — in size,
shape, color , elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such
as bleeding, itching or crusting — points to danger. Perform
regular check ups at home, looking at the scalp, in the nostrils,
the mouth and lips, behind the ears, pull the eyelids to look at the
eyeballs and look between toes and fingers. See a
dermatologist as soon as possible if you have these symptoms.
Danger
Signs of Malignant Melanoma
• Change in color, especially multiple shades of dark brown or
black; red, white and blue,
• Change or spreading of color from the edge of the mole into
surrounding skin.
• Change in size, especially sudden or continuous enlargement.
• Change in shape, especially development of irregular margins or
border.
• Change in elevation, especially sudden elevation of a previously
flat mole.
• Change in the surface texture of a mole, especially scaliness,
erosion, oozing, crusting, ulceration, or bleeding.
• Change in the the surrounding skin, especially redness,
swelling, or new moles.
• Change in sensation, especially itching, tenderness, or pain.
Check
the expiration date on all your sun protection products, including your
daily moisturizer, your make up productions and hair styling items that
list spf on them.
Prescription Aldara (imiquimod) Cream, 5% is
approved by the FDA to
treat the indications of Acne Keratosis, Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
(skin cancer) and External Genital Warts. See your dermatologist and
discuss if this medication is right for you!
The Skin Cancer Foundation Encourages
Continued Use of an SPF 15 as Part of an Overall Sun Protection Program
The suits state that manufacturers are making
deliberately fraudulent and misleading claims on their labels and websites
and in their advertising and seeks an injunction on the claims, compensation
for consumers and other remedies, including a public education program
concerning sun protection paid for by the industry.
"The Foundation has worked tirelessly
educating the public about the importance of using sunscreen as part of a
complete sun safety regimen and we are finally seeing the results of our
efforts," said Perry Robins, MD, President and Founder of The Skin
Cancer Foundation. "This lawsuit is especially disturbing because it
may cause people to stop wearing sunscreen." The American
Academy of Dermatology suggests that, regardless of skin type, a
broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen with a Sun
Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 should be used year-round. All
sunscreen agents need to be reapplied every hour or two of exposure to sun
light regardless of brand, spf number or active ingredients.
Revised regulations for sunscreen
labeling expected soon from FDA (American Food and Drug Administration, which
regulates cosmetics for safety).
This study shows that even people with darker skin need to be
aware of the signs of skin cancer 
