Skin Cancer

It is estimated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. It has also been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once. The two most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. They account for approximately 96% of all diagnosed skin cancers. Together, these two are also referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer. A surgical method that is often used to treat nonmelanoma skin cancer is called Mohs surgery. This highly specialized surgical technique involves first removing the visible tumor and then successive layers of skin one at a time until microscopic examination no longer reveals cancer cells. This surgery is performed while the patient is under local anesthesia. Removing and examining each layer takes about one hour, with much of this time spent looking at the removed skin. When done, the surgical wound is treated as needed. The treatment can include closing the wound with stitches, covering the surgical site with skin from another area of the body (skin graft), and moving healthy skin from a nearby area to cover the surgical wound (skin flap). But, Mohs surgery is not the only way to successfully treat skin cancers? Surgery on the nose, ears, eyelids or lips may cause disfigurement or require reconstructive surgery under a general anesthetic to maintain the natural appearance. Brachytherapy with the Flexitron system is an effective alternative treatment for BCC (Basel Cell Carcinoma) and SCC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) skin cancer and avoids the need for reconstructive surgery. It also has its advantages over surgery for patients with a large number of lesions, elderly patients, or patients who are otherwise inoperable, and advantages over external beam radiotherapy as it requires shorter treatment times and less side effects.

In recent years, the prevailing wisdom has been that it is essential, especially for fair--skinned individuals and those out during peak hours and/or in the tropics, to wear a protective sunscreen lotion. Based on the advice of doctors and dermatologists, billions of people began buying sunscreen lotions for themselves and their kids, as skin cancer rates, even among children, began to skyrocket. But what is the cause of all this skin cancer? Is it all due to our thinning ozone layer, as most of us commonly believe? Could it be that the chemicals in sunscreens themselves have contributed somehow?

When I first heard the theory that sunscreens cause skin cancer, I, like so many, was so indoctrinated in the 'sunscreen as protection' camp that the idea seemed almost heretical. The gentleman who told me about it, however, was a very thoughtful, intelligent and well-read doctor whose word I trusted. He was a curious and voracious reader, and he cited the situation in Australia as evidence and suggested I read further myself (a good sign in my books). Sunscreen was first introduced en masse, he told me, in Australia, and the ensuing climb in skin cancer rates when represented on a graph looks almost identical to the graph expressing increasing use of sunscreen. Many, many scientists, he told me, are beginning to make a connection between the harmful chemicals in most commercial sunscreens which get absorbed through our skin and the formation of skin cancers so prevalent today. This same doctor went on to tell me that sunburn allows our body's natural defences against the sun to build up, and it was the sun blister on his nose, in fact, which prompted the conversation. He will never allow his children to wear sunscreen. So what are we to do? Until the air clears, so to speak, there are other precautions we can take to protect ourselves from the strongest and most damaging of the sun's rays. We can wear protective clothing such as light, long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats, and quality sunglasses; we can stay out of the sun when it is at its strongest, and limit the duration of our exposure. We can choose natural, chemical-free sunscreen lotions. While getting some sun is undoubtedly good for us - essential in our formation of Vitamin D and vital for the health of our hearts and minds - we can choose to take reasonable precautions as discussed and keep our skin beautiful and healthy for many years to come.

When you were a kid, there was probably not much said about sun protection. Most of us remember long, sunny days at the beach or on vacation where we got very badly sunburned, and had to sit things out for a day or two afterwards. This seemed like just a harmless regular childhood experience, until we grew up and found out that not only does sun exposure cause skin damage and skin cancer, but that the damage is cumulative, meaning that every bit of exposure to the sun's radiation we've had over our lifetimes has added onto the last. This lifetime amount along with several bad burns during childhood is said, along with certain hereditary and lifestyle factors, to put some at higher risk for skin cancer. The three most dangerous skin cancers are basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and the more commonly known melanoma.

If your eyes and skin are sensitive to sunlight, this indicates that your body is toxic. Your subsequent effort to avoid the sun may result in serious light deficiency, which can lead to serious health problems. The fact that cancer of all kinds increased when sunscreens were introduced is hardly surprising. The UV light entering through the eyes also stimulates the immune system. Today, more than 50 percent of the U.S. population wears prescription or sun-protective glasses, which are able to block out most UV light. The latest fashion is to wear plastic glasses, which also block out all UV light. The same holds true for plastic contact lenses. Indoor activities, sunscreens, clothing, UV-repelling windows, etc. make certain that we receive very little of it. Without regular exposure to sunlight, however, the immune system decreases its effectiveness with every year of age. With sunlight, the use of oxygen in the body tissues increases, but without it, our cells begin to starve for oxygen. This leads to cellular malfunction, premature aging, and even death. Starved of a balanced sunlight diet, we tend to look for help elsewhere, even though nature is ready to cure us at any time. It is very unfortunate that sick people are mostly kept indoors, often with curtains drawn and windows closed. One of nature's most potent preventive and curative powers is there for everyone to use.

In nature, oils never occur in large quantities. To obtain one tablespoon of corn oil in natural form you would have to eat 12-18 ears of corn. Since oil extraction from corn, grains, and seeds became possible 80-90 years ago, consumption of polyunsaturated and unsaturated fats (thicker oils) as salad and cooking oils has increased dramatically in the industrialized world. The average person today consumes 16 times more of these fats than a person did 90 years ago. (It easier for the digestive system to deal with oils that are expelled from foods with a higher concentration of oil, such as olives, coconuts, avocados etc., than from small nuts and seeds, such as almonds and linseeds) That does not include all the other fats contained in today's foods.The lack of exercise, fresh air, and foods rich in nutrients make it even less possible for a human being to cope with such large amounts of unnatural fats. They impair the digestive power and lead to a buildup of toxins and subsequent crises of toxicity. The presence of excessive amounts of free radicals indicates that the body is full of toxins. Once they enter the skin tissue, even short-term exposure to ultraviolet light can burn and damage skin cells.

A person who consumes polyunsaturated fats in his diet and exposes his skin to ultraviolet light to the point of reddening produces hormone-like substances called prostaglandins from the linoleic acid contained in the fats. Prostaglandins suppress the immune system, thereby contributing to tumor growth. In addition, polyunsaturated fats are accompanied by free radical production, which can damage cells. If you add sunscreens to the skin, you have the right combination of chemicals to produce skin cancer, especially on areas that are more exposed to the sun than others.

We must understand that if we were meant to spend the greater part of our lives underground and hidden from the outdoors, only appearing socially at night, then nature would have arranged for us to be born rodents and not humans. Fluorescent lighting may save some money, but it takes a bigger toll on your health. The UV emissions from ceiling fixtures have been linked to a higher risk of melanoma skin cancer by the American Journal of Epidemiology.

It is interesting to note that some of the hottest places in the U.S., such as Phoenix, Arizona, have the highest rates of skin cancers, but not because they expose their skin to the sun. Researchers are readily tempted to relate the alarming skin cancer rates to the sun and the fact that these areas are some of the hottest and sunniest in the country. But to hastily make that link without careful observation, without exhausting all possible parameters is foolish and irrational. The extreme heat throughout much of the year keeps most people indoors during the day. As a result, although there is plenty of sunlight, people avoid it and develop health problems including cancers from underexposure rather than the other way round. There are now hundreds of scientific studies to show that vitamin D deficiency is one of the leading causes of cancer, including malignant melanomas. However, don't expect to hear about these studies from those who make a living of selling you sunscreens and treating cancers. It's a trillion dollar business that's too big to fail.

Researcher Dr. Helen Shaw and her team conducted a melanoma study at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and at the Sydney Melanoma Clinic in Sydney Hospital. They found that office workers had twice the incidence of the deadly cancer as people who worked outdoors. The results of the study were published in 1982 by the British medical journal Lancet. Dr. Shaw proved that those who spent most of their time exposed to natural sunlight had by far the lowest risk of developing skin cancer. In sharp contrast to those living or working outdoors, office workers, who were exposed to artificial light during most of their working hours had the highest risk of developing melanomas. She also discovered that fluorescent lights cause mutations in cultures of animal cells.

Dr. Shaw's research led to the conclusion that both in Australia and Great Britain, melanoma rates were high among professional and office workers and low in people working outdoors. In other words, the Australians and British (and the rest of us) would be better off spending more time outside where there is plenty of UV light! Similar controlled studies were conducted at the New York University School of Medicine, which confirmed and substantiated Dr. Shaw's research results.

Fluorescent lighting has also been known to cause headaches, eye problems such as night blindness, fatigue, concentration difficulties and irritability. It has also been observed that an increase in the brightness of fluorescent light leads to higher stress levels by raising cortisol hormone levels.

In a study conducted on US Navy personnel between 1974 and 1984, researchers found a higher incidence of skin cancers among sailors who had indoor jobs than those working outside. Those working both indoors and outdoors showed the most protection, with a rate 24 percent below the U.S. national average. Since none of the sailors spend their entire day outside, it could not be determined whether being outside all day would offer the highest degree of protection.

How to choose the best sunscreen and some sunscreen facts that aren't as popular as sunscreen itself!

We have a rising rate of skin cancer and there's been a major increase in the use of sunscreen as a means of protection against the suns UV rays. I first started noticing all the sunscreen use about 16 years ago when my daughter started school. We had to be sending sunscreen along with her for all the outdoor activities. I personally never had a concern about sunscreen until these most recent years in my life. When I did, it took me a long time to understand that we are fed a lot of inaccurate and partial information from the sunscreen industry as a whole. Unfortunately, providing the best sunscreen in regards to our health and protection is not their major concern. I am sure you know what I'm going to say next...Most Of These Companies Are All About Profit!

One investigation of nearly 1000 brand name sunscreens found that four out of five do not provide sufficient protection and contain questionable, chemical ingredients. It may come as a surprise to you that some of the nations leading, top name brands are actually the poorest performers.

...And are you ready for some more sunscreen facts? I looked at a couple of the most popular "chemical free" sunscreens that can be found on the shelf in most pharmacies and health food stores. I won't give their names, but here's what I found.

One contained Dimethicone which `chemists` consider as basically non-hazardous and contains a small amount of toxicity. However, contact may cause irritation with the skin and eyes. Dimethicone has also shown to cause tumors and unusual changes in experimental work with animals.

The other sunscreen contained Aluminum Hydroxide which is considered nontoxic and non-irritating to your skin, because `it does not penetrate the epidermis of your skin`. But you wouldn't want to have anyone eating either one of these things! What I mean is some very curious young children put a lot of unusual things in their mouth that they shouldn't.

So why do they have to add these ingredients if it's possible to make sunscreen without the `questionable ingredients`? Well let's go back to the word `Profit`...less cost to manufacture their sunscreen.

There's a relatively new sunscreen on the market that I recently discovered and...guess what...if someone were to eat it, you wouldn't have to worry at all. Just read the ingredients and see for yourself.

It's called Sunumbra. If you're a skin cancer survivor yourself and are concerned about recurrence...or if you just want the best sunscreen to provide the healthiest protection and still maximize the Vitamin D benefits, then I highly recommend you give this one a try. Maximizing your Vitamin D benefits from the sun is something that sunscreen companies usually don't bring up.

A ranking of more than 500 sunscreen products found that 92 percent did not provide satisfactory sun protection in terms of safety and efficacy. The study, conducted by Environmental working Group (EWG), a Washington-based nonprofit organisation, points the finger at a surge in exaggerated SPF claims above 50 and new disclosures about potentially hazardous ingredients. As early as 2007, the FDA published draft regulations that would disallow companies from labeling sunscreens with a rating over SPF 50+. The agency feels that anything higher than SPF 50+ would be "inherently misleading" given that "there is no assurance that the specific values themselves are in fact truthful..." Products with high SPF rating give a false sense of security resulting in users staying out in the sun longer with a single application and get burned when the products' chemicals break down, wash off or rub off on clothes and towels. The result is that they absorb more UVA radiation and they get the same number of sunburns as unprotected sunbathers.

The second key issue with sunscreens these days is two products found in many sunscreens.

The FDA has been investigating a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, found in 41 percent of sunscreens as it is suspected to accelerate skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk when applied to skin exposed to sunlight.

The other is oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound found in about 60 percent of the 500 sunscreens analysed. The product enters the bloodstream through the skin barrier. Biomonitoring surveys have detected oxybenzone in the bodies of 97 percent of Americans tested.

So what is recommended in order to stay safe in the sun? Some of these recommendations include selecting and using sunscreen well, as well as other options for sun protection available.

1. Look for minerals zinc or titanium dioxide in the sunscreen

2. Avoid high SPF.Stay with SPF 15-50+ as suitable for your own skin type. Use SPF 30+ for beach and pool and reapply often

3. Water-resistantfor beach, pool and exercise

4. Apply early. Martin A. Weinstock, professor of dermatology at Brown University recommends the application of sunscreen half an hour before heading outdoors and reapplying every few hours.

5. Apply in sufficient amounts. Studies show that people apply on average just a quarter of the required amount. Sunscreen efficacy drops rapidly on under-application so it is recommended to observe the instructions on the packaging.

6. Reapply often. Sunscreen chemicals break apart in the sun, wash off and rub off on towels and clothing.

7. Use clothing and hats. One study found that melanoma risk was cut by 52 percent for parts of the body usually covered by clothing during summer outdoor work (Holman et al 1986). EWG believe shirts and hats are the best sunscreen for all. Use UPF50+ rated swimwear and shirts and hats effectively

8. Make shade by putting up an umbrella, locate a picnic spot under the tree, take a canopy to the beach. Infants are best kept in the shade as they lack tanning pigments (melanin) to protect their skin

9. Plan around the shade. Unless you really need to, schedule your outdoor visits to avoid the mid-day sun. UV radiation peaks at midday, when the sun is directly overhead.

10. Sunglasses are essential. These are not just a fashion accessory but are necessary to keep your eyes from the UV radiation, a cause of cataracts.

Melanoma, the deadly skin cancer, is on the rise. In the United States in 2010, there were estimated 68,130 new cases of invasive cancer and 46,770 of in situ melanoma. In the same year, 8,700 people were predicted to die from this malignancy. Melanoma is curable if it is detected early and can be surgically removed. When melanoma has spread to lymph node(s) or when it is more than 4 mm thick, there is a chance of metastasis (spread to distant organs). Melanoma could spread to the following organs: lung, liver, brain, bone, intestine, pancreas, adrenal, kidney, spleen, heart, and thyroid. Imaging tests such as Pet CT and brain MRI may be done to look for metastasis. Most patients with metastatic melanoma die within one year. The 2-year survival rate is only 10-20%. Current treatments include chemotherapy, of which dacarbazine is the most commonly used. Over the past decades, many drugs and vaccines have been tested, with no success. The last drug approved was interleukin-2 in 1998, but it is so toxic that physicians rarely use it nowadays. Neither it nor the other approved drug, dacarbazine, has clearly demonstrated improved survival. This year, two new drugs are being introduced. The first drug is Yervoy (ipilimumab), which was approved by the FDA in March 2011. The second agent is vemurafenib; it has finished its clinical trial and awaits approval. Yervoy is an antibody that blocks T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). This blockage increases T-cell proliferation, which results in a more active immune system to attack the melanoma cells. A recent clinical trial enrolled 502 patients with previously untreated metastatic melanoma. The patients were randomly assigned to either dacarbazine chemotherapy plus Yervoy, or chemotherapy alone. Overall survival was significantly longer in the group receiving Yervoy plus dacarbazine than in the group receiving dacarbazine (11.2 months versus 9.1 months). At one year, 47% of the Yervoy patients are alive, in comparison with 36% in the chemotherapy only group. At two years, 29% of the Yervoy patients are alive, in comparison with 18% in the chemotherapy only group. At three years, 21% of the Yervoy patients are alive, in comparison with 12% in the chemotherapy only group. Yervoy can result in severe immune-mediated adverse reactions due to T-cell activation and proliferation. These immune-mediated side effects may involve any organ system. The most common severe adverse reactions are enterocolitis, hepatitis, dermatitis (including toxic epidermal necrolysis), neuropathy, and endocrinopathy. Yervoy costs $120,000 for a complete course of treatment, which consists of four infusions given over a three-month period. The second promising new drug, vemurafenib, targets a mutation in the gene BRAF (Serine/threonine-protein kinase B-Raf). About 50% of melanoma cases have this mutation. The clinical trial enrolled 675 patients with previously untreated, metastatic melanoma with the BRAF mutation. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either vemurafenib or dacarbazine. At six months, overall survival was 84% in the vemurafenib group and 64% in the chemotherapy group. Common adverse events associated with vemurafenib were joint pain, rash, fatigue, hair loss, squamous-cell carcinoma, photosensitivity, nausea, and diarrhea. In the study, 38% of patients required dose modification because of toxic effects. This drug is being considered for future potential approval by the FDA in melanoma patients. The price tag is unknown at this point.

For any of us who have known victims of melanoma, we realize that a cure or permanent solution and break through is needed. Well, it appears human scientists are now well on their way to solving this challenge once and for all. There are many cancers that are not death sentences, but late stage melanoma is, well, until now it seems, because scientists have made a rather incredible break through, which gives researchers looking for cures in other types of cancers a little bit of inspiration.

Not long ago, there was a great article which gives hope for victims of melanoma (deadliest form of skin cancer) in New Scientist. The article appeared in BioTech 'Being Human' category titled; "Skin cancer treatment: Biggest breakthrough in 30 years" on June 6, 2011 by Jessica Hamzelou. The article stated;

"Two new drugs for metastatic melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - are being hailed as the biggest breakthrough therapies for cancer in the last 30 years. The drugs reduce tumour size, significantly increasing survival rates. Although melanoma can be cured if caught early enough, individuals in the late stages of the disease are only expected to survive for an average of six months. One of the two drugs - vemurafenib inhibits malignant skin tumors."

The human trials have yielded such remarkable results that late stage melanoma may not be a death sentence any longer using vemurafenib, and those who did not respond to it have another new drug called "dacarbazine" which has shown decent results too according to the USDA approval notes. All of this is excellent news for those who have been diagnosed with late-stage melanoma and have been sent home without hope.

According to Wikipedia and other sources it seems more than 160,000 people each year get melanoma, and about three-quarters of all skin cancer deaths are from this type of cancer. Damaging UV light is the cause of melanoma, and UV Sun Tanning beds have been reported to be a contributing cause as well. It can also run in families and if it runs in yours, you should be seeing a dermatologist occasionally to check you over and also do some online research on your own so you can spot such spots to see if you suspect they are cancerous. Caught early, most cases are easily treatable if the tumor is removed properly. Late stage melanoma is completely serious, but now, it may not be a death sentence, as these drugs will be available very soon. Please consider all this and think on it.

When sunlight hits your skin your body begins to produce vitamin D, this is very important for your body, and those who are vitamin D deficient can end up with all sorts of illnesses. Your body works better when it has sunlight, and that shouldn't surprise anyone because humans have evolved living on the surface of the planet along with the Sun. Of course, there are those who are light-skinned and burn very easily, and this is not good for you, as it can cause skin cancer due to free radicals forming.

Some skin cancers are very dangerous and deadly, and therefore one has to decide what ratio of getting Sun is healthy, and how much sun do you actually need? If you are lighter skinned you will burn much easier, and this can be critical and serious. But if you don't get the vitamin D you need it will be hard to maintain your health, and to remain with a positive outlook on life, as vitamin D does affect the brain, and prevent depression. Those who are depressed also can more easily attract a disease, illness, virus, or more easily attract an ailment. If skin cancer runs in your family, or you have very fair skin, it makes sense to develop a proper strategy for yourself, all the while realizing that the sun is good for you, and the proper amount of sunlight helps not only with your circadian rhythm, but also your body's vitamin D production. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Of the cancers diagnosed worldwide, one in three is skin cancer. In the United States, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and in Australia, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with cancer of the skin by the age of 70. It is the most common cancer for people aged 15 to 44. With the continuing depletion of the ozone layer and the rise in outdoor activities, especially by the water's edge, over the last century, the global rates of skin cancer will continue to increase. The frustrating aspect of this disease is that it is largely preventable by taking protective measures. If detected early and treated, most cases of the disease can be cured.

There are three types of skin cancer: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, but it is rare. It can develop on any area of the body, from existing moles, or from normal skin. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of skin cancers, and it is the least dangerous. It is easily treated and tends to appear on skin generally exposed to the sun, including the head, neck, upper torso, and limbs. Squamous cell carcinoma is the next most common form of skin cancer after BCC, and while not as dangerous as melanoma, it can spread through the body if left untreated. It also develops on sun-exposed skin areas like the head, neck, forearms, hands, torso, and limbs.

Preventing cancer depends largely on the sun protection measures that you take. Choose sun protective wear, including swimwear, when you are enjoying the beach or lakeside. Cover exposed skin with high SPF sunscreens of at least 30 SPF, broad-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with EPF ratings of 10. Staying out of the sun during its peak hours of 10am and 2 pm and choosing shade when you're out will further enhance your protective coverage. Keep an eye on any moles on your skin and show them to your doctor if you see that a new mole appears and grows. Also point out any change in existing moles, moles that bleed, those that are persistently itchy, or a mole or skin ulcer that doesn't heal. You can easily minimize your risk of skin cancer if you take care in the sun. After all, skin cancer prevention requires little effort and is always better than the cure.