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.
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Information about an aggressive new form of skin cancer
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Be safe, learn early detection strategies
See your dermatologist for a skin cancer check up
Pick up plenty of sunscreen products for your family
Tell family and friends to learn about skin cancer
Sun Worshipper? Read about Krill Oil...
Cancer Drug 'Rida' on FDA Fast Track
June 6, 2011 The details of an experimental drug that may reduce the risk of disease progression or death for patients with advanced sarcoma, with Harvey Berger, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals chairman/president /CEO.
Sarcomas are a group of cancers of connective tissue of the body for which there are currently limited treatment options. Sarcomas can arise anywhere in the body and are divided into two main groups– bone tumors and soft-tissue sarcomas.
About Ridaforolimus
Ridaforolimus is an investigational targeted and potent small-molecule inhibitor of the protein mTOR, a protein that acts as a central regulator of protein synthesis, cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell survival, integrating signals from proteins, such as PI3K, AKT and PTEN, known to be important to malignancy.
Sun Screen Debate Continues: November 2011 (since July 2010 I've been gathering this for you to stay updated...jmp)
here's
a synopsis of media....
From Mercola.com, November 2011:
There are two primary types of UV rays from sunlight, the vitamin-D-producing UVB rays and the skin-damaging UVA light. Both UVA and UVB can cause tanning and burning, although UVB does so far more rapidly. UVA, however, penetrates your skin more deeply than UVB, and may be a much more important factor in photoaging, wrinkles and skin cancers.
A study in Medical Hypotheses suggested that indoor workers may have increased rates of melanoma because they're exposed to sunlight through windows, and only UVA light, unlike UVB, can pass through window glass. At the same time, these indoor workers are missing out on exposure to the beneficial UVB rays, and have lower levels of vitamin D.
Researchers wrote:
"We hypothesize that one factor involves indoor exposures to UVA (321–400nm) passing through windows, which can cause mutations and can break down vitamin D3 formed after outdoor UVB (290–320nm) exposure, and the other factor involves low levels of cutaneous vitamin D3.
After vitamin D3 forms, melanoma cells can convert it to the hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, or calcitriol, which causes growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo.
… We agree that intense, intermittent outdoor UV overexposures and sunburns initiate CMM [cutaneous malignant melanoma]; we now propose that increased UVA exposures and inadequately maintained cutaneous levels of vitamin D3 promotes CMM."
To put it simply, UVB appears to be protective against melanoma -- or rather, the vitamin D your body produces in response to UVB radiation is protective.
As written in The Lancet:
"Paradoxically, outdoor workers have a decreased risk of melanoma compared with indoor workers, suggesting that chronic sunlight exposure can have a protective effect."
2010 - From the Environmental Working Group: After reviewing the evidence, EWG determined that mineral sunscreens have the best safety profile of today’s choices. They are stable in sunlight and do not appear to penetrate the skin. They offer UVA protection, which is sorely lacking in most of today’s sunscreen products. Mexoryl SX (ecamsule) is another good option, but it’s sold in very few formulations. Tinosorb S and M could be great solutions but are not yet available in the U.S. For consumers who don’t like mineral products, we recommend sunscreens with avobenzone (3 percent for the best UVA protection) and without the notorious hormone disruptors oxybenzone or 4-MBC.
Scientists have called for parents to avoid using oxybenzone on children under 18 years old due to absorbtion, hormone disruption and toxicity concerns (both for humans , animals and environmental health).
Americans
have been learning to dutifully apply sunscreens, hoping to ward off signs of
premature aging, wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer.
Now there are questions whether the quidelines for sun protection
ratings, ingredients and research created by the FDA back in 1978, are adequate
or misleading. Considering the vast amount of research on the subject since then
and the Environmental Protection Agency’s December 2009 announcement to update
their guidelines (which hadn’t been attended to since the same time period, by
the way), its causing a lot of us in the skincare industry to wonder, what have
they been doing with tax payer dollars all this time?
The
US Food and Drug Administration, meanwhile, has also been criticized for failing
to approve new ingredients that are available in Europe.
Research is also questioning the safety of certain ingredients that have been widely used for years. Just recently, Senator Charles Schumer of New York called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate reports suggesting a possible link between skin cancer and retinyl palmitate, now found in many sunscreen products.
This ingredient, a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A, has been in “anti-aging” skin care products for many years now and there has been controversy regarding the use of it in daytime products for just as long. So to see it in sun protection products is very disturbing to an esthetician like myself that has warned consumers for over a decade now to read labels and watch for this – use retinol/retinolic acid, (Retin-A® the prescription cream), Retinyl Palmitate in night creams only. Recently available data from an FDA study indicates retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions (NTP 2009). This evidence is troubling because the sunscreen industry adds vitamin A to 41 percent of all sunscreens.However, to be fair, the media has confused the category of “sun protection or sunscreens” with “daytime moisturizers” that just happen to have spf ratings due to the public demand for double duty: moisturize and protect. The classification of Sun Protection should be specific to products men, women and children over age 6 months need to be applying to sun exposed skin for outdoor activities (note: babies in particular should be protected from UV exposure by way of avoidance of sun exposure, protective clothing and umbrellas, not chemicals).
May 24, 2010. EWG’s fourth annual Sunscreen Guide gives low marks to the current crop of sunscreen products, with a few notable exceptions. EWG researchers recommend only 39 – 8 percent – of 500 beach and sport sunscreens for this season. (*Note – update on database status)
The reason? A surge in exaggerated SPF claims above 50 and new disclosures about potentially hazardous ingredients, in particular recently developed government data linking the common sunscreen ingredient vitamin A to accelerated development of skin tumors and lesions.
Industry’s lackluster performance and the federal Food and Drug Administration’s failure to issue regulations for sunscreens lead EWG to warn consumers not to depend on any sunscreen for primary protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Hats, clothing and shade are still the most reliable sun protection.
Products with high SPF ratings sell a false sense of security because most people using them stay out in the sun longer, still get burned (which increases risk of skin cancer) and subject their skin to large amounts of UVA radiation, the type of sunlight that does not burn but is believed responsible for considerable skin damage and cancer. High SPF products, which protect against sunburn, often provide very little protection against UVA radiation.
Few people use enough sunscreen to benefit from the SPF protection promised on the label. Studies show that people typically use about a quarter of the recommended amount. Because sunscreen effectiveness drops off precipitously when under-applied, in everyday practice a product labeled SPF 100 actually performs like SPF 3.2, an SPF 30 rating equates to a 2.3 and SPF 15 translates to 2. Moreover, FDA scientists say SPF claims above 50 cannot be reliably substantiated.
This year, new concerns have arisen about a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, found in 41 percent of sunscreens. The FDA is investigating whether this compound may accelerate skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk when applied to skin exposed to sunlight. FDA data suggest that vitamin A may be photocarcinogenic, meaning that in the presence of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the compound and skin undergo complex biochemical changes resulting in cancer. The evidence against vitamin A is far from conclusive, but as long as it is suspect, EWG recommends that consumers choose vitamin A-free sunscreens.
So here's our own commentary: What is the most desirable sunscreen product? One that uses minerals like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide but not nano-sized particles, not micronized. One that does not have any fragrance added ( not only because many products listing "fragrance/parfum" are hiding the dangerous Phthalates and because popular perfumes containing Bergamot cause hyperpigmentation to sun exposed areas of skin doused with colognes, after shaves, perfumes or perfumed lotions). One with the simplest list of ingredients. Remember, since you have to reapply any sunscreen every 1-2 hours depending on activity and exposure, spf 15-28 (where the natural ingredients range) is adequate.
When people use sunscreens that are natural in formula, and apply appropriately, diligently, they not only prevent skin cancers but the signs of premature aging due to sun and air pollution, without adding the ingredients that mess with our hormones, immune system or perpitrate free radical activity in the epidermis. Don't forget, there's plenty of concern as to environmental issues around personal care and pharmeceutical ingredients in the watershed : they go down the drain from the shower, sink and toilet attached to your old skin cells! So much for exfoliation...
"Unfortunately these natural formulas aren't being produced in great volume because the demand has been for high spf numbers and outrageous claims that the mainstream cosmetic companies have barraged us with in advertisements. Even as I've been scouring the marketplace for natural skin care products, I find in September of 2011, instead, these big name brands at healthfood stores, children's stores and product displays and all mainstream drugstores. Why do these rich brands still have questionable ingredients on their products? It irritates me to no end that celebrities like Oprah, Ellen and Julia Roberts promote products that are dangerous while touting their concerns for pets and children and homemade baby food and dog food! Read Campaign for Safe Cosmetics research online." JMP
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.
RISK FACTORS FOR MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA: OVER 50 YEARS OLD, SUN TANNING FREQUENTLY (INDOORS OR OUTSIDE).
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 - as chemical sun protection ingredients give off gas/fumes 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?
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.
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 2010, estimated deaths at over 8750 from melanoma and 11790 from other forms of skin cancer.
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...Their age group,15-29, melanoma is #2 most common skin cancer.
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 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.
This study shows that even people with darker skin need to be
aware of the signs of skin cancer 
