If you're planning to retire to Florida or Arizona for health reasons, be sure to pack your sunglasses.
That's the message from a new study that found that older people with low levels of certain antioxidants present in many fruits and vegetables, and who are exposed to short-wavelength blue light from the sun, are more likely to develop certain types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But the damage can start decades before you turn 65.
"We recommend that people use eye protection, including sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats, if going outside and especially in bright sunlight" and during the middle period of the day, said Astrid E. Fletcher, lead author of the study published in the October issue of theArchives of Ophthalmology.
"Our advice on nutrition," she added, "is that people should ensure that they follow the five-a-day recommendations. In particular, they should see that their diet includes leafy green vegetables, citrus fruit, vegetable oils and nuts, as these are good sources of the antioxidant vitamins of relevance to the retina."
Dr. Julie Belkin, an ophthalmologist with University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, said, "Sunglasses are recommended anyway, and most people who have a normal, balanced diet will get adequate levels of those antioxidants. But there are vitamin supplements if you have other risk factors or other eye findings that put you at risk."
While the authors of the new study found that the link between blue-light exposure and low antioxidant levels was stronger in middle age, compared to younger years, other experts said it's unclear when the damage takes place.
"We don't really know how many years it takes" for AMD to develop. "For some people, it could be a few years in the sun is bad, and for others, a few decades is bad," said Dr. Robert Cykiert, an associate professor of ophthalmology at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City.
Previous studies had suggested that blue light may damage the retina and set eyes on the path to developing AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 60 and older.
Studies have also shown that antioxidant enzymes such as vitamins C and E, the carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), and zinc can protect against blue light. But no one had really looked at how blue light and antioxidants might interact to affect the risk for AMD.
After studying nearly 4,500 older Europeans (average age 73.2 years), the study authors, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, found no overall association between blue-light exposure and neovascular (early) AMD.
However, blue light exposure was associated with neovascular AMD in 25 percent of the people with the lowest antioxidant levels.
"This is the first time they've looked at this in so many patients, but it makes sense from a physiological standpoint," said Dr. David M. Kleinman, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Rochester Eye Institute. "In addition to there being some things we can't control, like genetic predisposition, really taking care of ourselves in a certain way will really help reduce vision loss from AMD." That includes exercising and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, added Kleinman, a retina specialist who studies macular degeneration.
A second study in the same issue of the journal found that, overall, visual impairment is more common in people with diabetes than in those without the disease.
The news is especially worrisome given the veritable epidemic of diabetes: In 2005, an estimated 14.6 million Americans had been diagnosed with diabetes, on top of 6.2 million undiagnosed individuals. The number of people with diagnosed diabetes in the United States is expected to reach almost 50 million by 2050.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes, but other eye problems can occur as well, including cataracts and glaucoma, according to the study by researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some 11 percent of U.S. adults with diabetes have some form of visual impairment, 3.8 percent uncorrectable and 7.2 percent correctable. Almost 6 percent of those without diabetes have some form of visual impairment, 1.4 percent uncorrectable and 4.5 percent correctable, the study found.
TUESDAY, Oct. 14 (HealthDay News)
More information
The National Eye Institute has more on AMD.
SOURCES: Robert Cykiert, M.D., associate professor, ophthalmology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York City; Julie Belkin, M.D., ophthalmologist, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland; Astrid Fletcher, Ph.D., department of epidemiology and population health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; David M. Kleinman, M.D., assistant professor, ophthalmology, University of Rochester Eye Institute, Rochester, N.Y.; October 2008Archives of Ophthalmology
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Hair gives little sun protection for scalp
Friday, 12 September 2008 Anna SallehABC
Sun visors may keep the sun off your face, but what about your scalp?
A full head of hair provides surprisingly low protection for your scalp from the sun, Australian researchers warn.
Physicist Associate Professor Alfio Parisi and colleagues, from the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, report their findings in the journal Photochemistry and Photobiology.
The researchers say a significant number of melanomas occur on the scalp, with one study showing they make up 13% of melanomas. "So the question arose how UV penetrates through the hair," says Parisi. Parisi and colleagues studied how much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun got through to the scalp with a full head of hair. They placed a UV sensor in the centre of the top of the head of a mannequin adorned with a wig made of human hair. The researchers then tested how much UV got through when the sun was at different positions in the sky.
"It started about 9 o'clock in the morning right through to lunch time," says Parisi.
He and colleagues also tested what happened when the head was upright or tilted towards the sun, and what happened under the shade of a beach umbrella. They also tested the impact of grey and brown hair, and short (4.9 centimetres) and long (10.9 centimetres) hair. Short hair may have an edge They found that the colour of the hair made no difference, but that short hair may provide marginally more protection than long hair. Parisi thinks this is because long hair weighs itself down at the part and exposes more of the scalp to sun.
Overall, the researchers found hair offered a protection factor ranging from 5 to 17, which is significantly lower that the average sunscreen, which offers a protection factor of 30.
"This is much lower than properly applied sunscreen," says Parisi. "I'm surprised that the protection factor is so low."
While previous studies have measured hair's ability to protect the top of the ears, Parisi says this is the first study to measure its ability to protect the scalp.
"People who are going to be outside for a long period of time - even if they've got a full head of hair - should really wear a hat," says Parisi, warning that sun visors, and even caps, allow parts of the head to be exposed to the sun.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that an estimated 1.2 million Australians work outdoors and there are more than 300 occupations that require mainly outdoor work.
A previous study found that outdoor workers are exposed to 5 to 10 times more UV radiation than other workers. "Males are twice as likely to die from melanoma, in all likelihood because of the higher rate of men in outdoor jobs," say Parisi and colleagues.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Skin mapping
Skin mapping — or mole mapping — takes a lot of the guesswork out of skin-cancer worries
By Sarah Lemon
Former California “beach baby” Linda Savercool had her first brush with skin cancer at age 21.
The red spot on her chest was the common but rarely serious basal cell carcinoma. But removal of the pinhead-sized patch was just the first in a series of more than 50 atypical moles and cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions cut from Savercool’s skin by the time she was 40.
“When you’re 21 and young, you don’t listen,” she says.
Despite Savercool’s medical history and unusually large number of moles, not one of her physicians ordered a complete skin examination or “mole mapping” session before she became a patient of Medford dermatologist Dr. David Trask about four years ago. “He didn’t know where to begin,” Savercool says. “I have a lot of moles; they’re everywhere.”
Trask’s initial examination documented Savercool’s skin condition with digital photos and by plotting on paper the presence of lesions. The approach is intended to track changes in patients’ skin status and give dermatologists a way to verify their memories of particular moles.
“When a person has 100-some moles on their back, you can’t just look and go, ‘That’s new,’ ” Trask says. “The idea of taking photographs has taken root.”
The session didn’t stop there. Two or three of Savercool’s moles — deemed too suspicious to simply keep under surveillance — were removed then and there. Lab tests revealed characteristics of a pre-melanoma condition.
“If there’s even a chance a lesion is changing, we’re not going to sit on it,” Trask says.
Yet new moles seemed to pop up as quickly as others could be removed. Savercool’s subsequent dermatology appointments became a sad parody of “eenie, meenie, minie, moe.”
“It changes so fast,” Savercool says. “It can happen just overnight.”
For an entire year, Savercool, 52, endured the excision of five to eight moles every two weeks — nearly 100 moles in all. New surgery sessions practically coincided with removal of stitches from the prior visit, the Central Point resident recalls.
“It was pretty painful — my back was the worst,” she says.
“I have, you know, lots of scars,” she says, adding that the biggest on her arms and right leg are 2 to 3 inches long.
However, it’s the anticipation of biopsy results, Savercool says, that “kills” her, even since she started seeing Trask just once every three months.
“You’re waiting for the shoe to drop,” she says.
“I still don’t know what tomorrow could bring.”
While only 35 out of almost 100 moles have shown signs of basal cell carcinoma, pre-melanoma or other atypical features, Trask has assured Savercool, whose case is one of his most unusual, that a reprieve is unlikely.
“This is my life,” she says.
Savercool’s numerous scars have become a conversation starter at the Medford gym where she lifts weights three times per week. She’s aghast when friends tell her they’re going sunbathing or have an appointment at a tanning salon. Although Savercool’s olive-toned skin tanned easily, she still bubbled, blistered and peeled under a sheen of baby oil more times than she cares to remember.
“I just recommend people stay out of the sun — sunscreen or not,” Savercool says. “Nobody is safe. You don’t even have to have moles.”
Stacey Boals didn’t. But the 49-year-old Medford resident had developed an extremely rare and deadly form of skin cancer, noticed not a moment too soon.
Boals initially saw Trask for removal of a few “sun spots” that were later identified as basal cell carcinoma. A complete skin exam with photos wasn’t deemed necessary in her case.
Five years later, Boals was back in Trask’s office and offhandedly mentioned a raw patch on her thigh that she suspected was irritated when she shaved.
Biopsied, the spot proved a rare form of melanoma, completely lacking in pigment and requiring a surgeon’s expertise. A biopsy of Boals’ lymph nodes confirmed the cancer hadn’t spread. The 4-inch scar, which Boals has dubbed her “shark bite,” is a sobering caution against complacency.
“It was like a crater in my leg because they go deep,” Boals says. “I’d rather have that than the alternative.”
Boals’ and Savercool’s stories both illustrate Oregon’s status as a “hot spot” for skin cancer, Trask says. The trend, he and other dermatologists say, can be traced to a few factors: sun exposure through traditional occupations, such as logging, fishing and farming; an influx of former California residents who soaked up too much sun farther south; the state’s growing number of baby boomers, most of whom never wore sunscreen in their youth; and the state’s primarily Caucasian population, the group most affected by skin cancer.
“Skin cancer is pretty epidemic in this neck of the woods,” says Dr. Douglas Naversen, senior partner in Dermatology and Laser Associates of Medford.
“We get a lot of transplanted skin cancers in ex-beach boys and beach girls,” Naversen says.
“We have our hard-working farmers and ranchers ... The last thing they’re thinking about is putting on sunscreen.”
Whereas his practice 25 years ago treated approximately four cases of invasive melanoma per year, Dermatology and Laser Associates’ four physicians each see a case of melanoma about once every week, Naversen says. Although the cure rate for melanoma is 92 percent nationwide, an improvement over recent years, Naversen says, the total number of U.S. melanoma deaths continues to increase.
Statistically, Americans have a one in 70 chance of developing melanoma in their lifetimes, Trask says. In 1935, it was a one in 1,500 chance, he adds.
“Unfortunately, melanoma is one of the deadliest cancers known to mankind,” Trask says, adding that vaccines are experimental and chemotherapy often isn’t effective.
“Once it gets loose, it’s hard to stop it,” Trask says. “The earlier you catch it, the more likely you can be cured.”
Prevention, dermatologists say, is a matter of knowing the ABCs for melanoma and atypical moles: asymmetry, borders, color, diameter and evolution.
While instruments called dermatoscopes can be used to magnify moles and other lesions during an exam, Trask and Naversen primarily employ digital cameras capable of zooming in on a spot to take as many pictures as they believe necessary. Medical photography often is not covered by insurance.
Trask encourages everyone to self-examine their skin once a month, including the scalp. Anyone who’s had melanoma should see a dermatologist at least every six months, he adds. Diagnoses of other types of cancer, such as basal cell, should be followed by yearly visits to a dermatologist’s office.
Those who have never had a skin-cancer diagnosis should be aware that their risk for the disease increases if relatives like parents, siblings or grandparents have had skin cancer, Trask says. Instances of skin cancer pick up after age 20, he says, although his youngest melanoma patient was 11.
The presence of more than 50 moles on a person’s body also indicates an increased risk for skin cancer, he says, adding that the average number of moles is about 40. About 20 percent of melanoma arises from pre-existing moles, Trask says.
“The more moles you have, the more at risk you are.”
Trask dispels the notion that removing melanoma causes it to spread. In reality, melanoma spreads by penetrating deeper into the flesh, he says, requiring surgeons to err on the side of removing more tissue rather than less.
“The risk of not removing it could allow you to die,” Trask says.
Savercool has learned the shocking reality that the ratio of mole-to-scar sometimes doesn’t follow any logic. Excision of dime-sized, pre-melanoma lesions on her back healed to 1-inch scars while others the size of a pencil lead’s thicker end resulted in a 3-inch incision. The scars aren’t as frightening as the possibility that cancer could return to some of the same spots.
“Now I do not go in the sun,” Savercool says. “I wish I never would have done it.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does mole mapping mean?
A: Medical photographs are used by dermatologists to follow lesions over time. Often, patients have overview photos taken that can help detect new lesions. Mole mapping also includes close-up photography of atypical moles. Lesions are numbered on your body and a diagram, or “map,” is used so the photographed lesions can be compared on subsequent examinations. This allows your physician and you to follow individual lesions more closely to detect changes early.
Q: What happens during the visit?
A: First, a physician will see you in the dermatology clinic where you will have a full-body skin exam. Moles that appear unusual and would benefit from close-up photography would be identified and photos taken. A map is made of these moles to be used during subsequent exams.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Because you will be undressing, wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to put on and take off. Remove jewelry and watches, and if you have long hair, bring something to pull it back into a ponytail. During the physician visit, you will be asked to completely undress and be given a gown. You will be draped appropriately during the exam. During the photography session, remove as much of your clothing as you are comfortable with, the more the better. If you are unable to undress completely, bring underwear that you will be comfortable wearing that covers the least amount of skin. Avoid “sports bras.”
Q: How long does this take?
A: Complete skin examinations could take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on a patient’s number of moles and the number of photos taken.
Q: Does insurance cover the visit?
A: Insurance will be billed for the physician portion of the visit similar to a routine doctor’s visit. The cost of medical photography is not routinely covered by insurance companies, although there may be exceptions. The cost depends on how many photographs are taken.
— Source: Oregon Health and Science University Department of Dermatology
ABCs of melanoma and atypical moles
Asymmetry — One half does not match the other in size, shape, color or thickness.
Border — A ragged, scalloped or poorly defined border that can fade imperceptibly into surrounding skin.
Colored — Pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, black are present. Dashes of red, white and blue add to the mottled appearance
Diameter — Melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters in diameter or approximately the size of a pencil eraser when diagnosed. They can, however, be smaller. Any mole this size or larger is considered atypical.
Evolution — If a mole is different from others, changes, itches or bleeds, see a dermatologist.
By Sarah Lemon
Former California “beach baby” Linda Savercool had her first brush with skin cancer at age 21.
The red spot on her chest was the common but rarely serious basal cell carcinoma. But removal of the pinhead-sized patch was just the first in a series of more than 50 atypical moles and cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions cut from Savercool’s skin by the time she was 40.
“When you’re 21 and young, you don’t listen,” she says.
Despite Savercool’s medical history and unusually large number of moles, not one of her physicians ordered a complete skin examination or “mole mapping” session before she became a patient of Medford dermatologist Dr. David Trask about four years ago. “He didn’t know where to begin,” Savercool says. “I have a lot of moles; they’re everywhere.”
Trask’s initial examination documented Savercool’s skin condition with digital photos and by plotting on paper the presence of lesions. The approach is intended to track changes in patients’ skin status and give dermatologists a way to verify their memories of particular moles.
“When a person has 100-some moles on their back, you can’t just look and go, ‘That’s new,’ ” Trask says. “The idea of taking photographs has taken root.”
The session didn’t stop there. Two or three of Savercool’s moles — deemed too suspicious to simply keep under surveillance — were removed then and there. Lab tests revealed characteristics of a pre-melanoma condition.
“If there’s even a chance a lesion is changing, we’re not going to sit on it,” Trask says.
Yet new moles seemed to pop up as quickly as others could be removed. Savercool’s subsequent dermatology appointments became a sad parody of “eenie, meenie, minie, moe.”
“It changes so fast,” Savercool says. “It can happen just overnight.”
For an entire year, Savercool, 52, endured the excision of five to eight moles every two weeks — nearly 100 moles in all. New surgery sessions practically coincided with removal of stitches from the prior visit, the Central Point resident recalls.
“It was pretty painful — my back was the worst,” she says.
“I have, you know, lots of scars,” she says, adding that the biggest on her arms and right leg are 2 to 3 inches long.
However, it’s the anticipation of biopsy results, Savercool says, that “kills” her, even since she started seeing Trask just once every three months.
“You’re waiting for the shoe to drop,” she says.
“I still don’t know what tomorrow could bring.”
While only 35 out of almost 100 moles have shown signs of basal cell carcinoma, pre-melanoma or other atypical features, Trask has assured Savercool, whose case is one of his most unusual, that a reprieve is unlikely.
“This is my life,” she says.
Savercool’s numerous scars have become a conversation starter at the Medford gym where she lifts weights three times per week. She’s aghast when friends tell her they’re going sunbathing or have an appointment at a tanning salon. Although Savercool’s olive-toned skin tanned easily, she still bubbled, blistered and peeled under a sheen of baby oil more times than she cares to remember.
“I just recommend people stay out of the sun — sunscreen or not,” Savercool says. “Nobody is safe. You don’t even have to have moles.”
Stacey Boals didn’t. But the 49-year-old Medford resident had developed an extremely rare and deadly form of skin cancer, noticed not a moment too soon.
Boals initially saw Trask for removal of a few “sun spots” that were later identified as basal cell carcinoma. A complete skin exam with photos wasn’t deemed necessary in her case.
Five years later, Boals was back in Trask’s office and offhandedly mentioned a raw patch on her thigh that she suspected was irritated when she shaved.
Biopsied, the spot proved a rare form of melanoma, completely lacking in pigment and requiring a surgeon’s expertise. A biopsy of Boals’ lymph nodes confirmed the cancer hadn’t spread. The 4-inch scar, which Boals has dubbed her “shark bite,” is a sobering caution against complacency.
“It was like a crater in my leg because they go deep,” Boals says. “I’d rather have that than the alternative.”
Boals’ and Savercool’s stories both illustrate Oregon’s status as a “hot spot” for skin cancer, Trask says. The trend, he and other dermatologists say, can be traced to a few factors: sun exposure through traditional occupations, such as logging, fishing and farming; an influx of former California residents who soaked up too much sun farther south; the state’s growing number of baby boomers, most of whom never wore sunscreen in their youth; and the state’s primarily Caucasian population, the group most affected by skin cancer.
“Skin cancer is pretty epidemic in this neck of the woods,” says Dr. Douglas Naversen, senior partner in Dermatology and Laser Associates of Medford.
“We get a lot of transplanted skin cancers in ex-beach boys and beach girls,” Naversen says.
“We have our hard-working farmers and ranchers ... The last thing they’re thinking about is putting on sunscreen.”
Whereas his practice 25 years ago treated approximately four cases of invasive melanoma per year, Dermatology and Laser Associates’ four physicians each see a case of melanoma about once every week, Naversen says. Although the cure rate for melanoma is 92 percent nationwide, an improvement over recent years, Naversen says, the total number of U.S. melanoma deaths continues to increase.
Statistically, Americans have a one in 70 chance of developing melanoma in their lifetimes, Trask says. In 1935, it was a one in 1,500 chance, he adds.
“Unfortunately, melanoma is one of the deadliest cancers known to mankind,” Trask says, adding that vaccines are experimental and chemotherapy often isn’t effective.
“Once it gets loose, it’s hard to stop it,” Trask says. “The earlier you catch it, the more likely you can be cured.”
Prevention, dermatologists say, is a matter of knowing the ABCs for melanoma and atypical moles: asymmetry, borders, color, diameter and evolution.
While instruments called dermatoscopes can be used to magnify moles and other lesions during an exam, Trask and Naversen primarily employ digital cameras capable of zooming in on a spot to take as many pictures as they believe necessary. Medical photography often is not covered by insurance.
Trask encourages everyone to self-examine their skin once a month, including the scalp. Anyone who’s had melanoma should see a dermatologist at least every six months, he adds. Diagnoses of other types of cancer, such as basal cell, should be followed by yearly visits to a dermatologist’s office.
Those who have never had a skin-cancer diagnosis should be aware that their risk for the disease increases if relatives like parents, siblings or grandparents have had skin cancer, Trask says. Instances of skin cancer pick up after age 20, he says, although his youngest melanoma patient was 11.
The presence of more than 50 moles on a person’s body also indicates an increased risk for skin cancer, he says, adding that the average number of moles is about 40. About 20 percent of melanoma arises from pre-existing moles, Trask says.
“The more moles you have, the more at risk you are.”
Trask dispels the notion that removing melanoma causes it to spread. In reality, melanoma spreads by penetrating deeper into the flesh, he says, requiring surgeons to err on the side of removing more tissue rather than less.
“The risk of not removing it could allow you to die,” Trask says.
Savercool has learned the shocking reality that the ratio of mole-to-scar sometimes doesn’t follow any logic. Excision of dime-sized, pre-melanoma lesions on her back healed to 1-inch scars while others the size of a pencil lead’s thicker end resulted in a 3-inch incision. The scars aren’t as frightening as the possibility that cancer could return to some of the same spots.
“Now I do not go in the sun,” Savercool says. “I wish I never would have done it.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does mole mapping mean?
A: Medical photographs are used by dermatologists to follow lesions over time. Often, patients have overview photos taken that can help detect new lesions. Mole mapping also includes close-up photography of atypical moles. Lesions are numbered on your body and a diagram, or “map,” is used so the photographed lesions can be compared on subsequent examinations. This allows your physician and you to follow individual lesions more closely to detect changes early.
Q: What happens during the visit?
A: First, a physician will see you in the dermatology clinic where you will have a full-body skin exam. Moles that appear unusual and would benefit from close-up photography would be identified and photos taken. A map is made of these moles to be used during subsequent exams.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Because you will be undressing, wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are easy to put on and take off. Remove jewelry and watches, and if you have long hair, bring something to pull it back into a ponytail. During the physician visit, you will be asked to completely undress and be given a gown. You will be draped appropriately during the exam. During the photography session, remove as much of your clothing as you are comfortable with, the more the better. If you are unable to undress completely, bring underwear that you will be comfortable wearing that covers the least amount of skin. Avoid “sports bras.”
Q: How long does this take?
A: Complete skin examinations could take 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on a patient’s number of moles and the number of photos taken.
Q: Does insurance cover the visit?
A: Insurance will be billed for the physician portion of the visit similar to a routine doctor’s visit. The cost of medical photography is not routinely covered by insurance companies, although there may be exceptions. The cost depends on how many photographs are taken.
— Source: Oregon Health and Science University Department of Dermatology
ABCs of melanoma and atypical moles
Asymmetry — One half does not match the other in size, shape, color or thickness.
Border — A ragged, scalloped or poorly defined border that can fade imperceptibly into surrounding skin.
Colored — Pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, black are present. Dashes of red, white and blue add to the mottled appearance
Diameter — Melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters in diameter or approximately the size of a pencil eraser when diagnosed. They can, however, be smaller. Any mole this size or larger is considered atypical.
Evolution — If a mole is different from others, changes, itches or bleeds, see a dermatologist.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Sun lovers at risk for vitamin D deficiency, too
By JEFF WEBERSTAFF WRITER
Our society's passion for using sun block as protection from getting skin cancer is wise and advocated by most — if not all — health-care professionals, but slathering on too much sunscreen also can harm your body.
"The regular use of effective sunscreens decreases a person's ability to produce vitamin D," says John Bucek, director of the Somerset Family Medicine Residency program at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville.
Bucek and other experts suggest taking in at least 15 minutes of direct sun a day before applying sunscreen. But those at risk or with a history of skin cancer or with sun-sensitive skin conditions first should check with their doctor or dermatologist before employing this directive.
Dark-skinned people also are more at risk because they absorb ultraviolet light less quickly than fair-skinned people, according to Tanya Edwards, head of the integrative medicine department at the Cleveland Clinic.
Did you know?
According to Bucek, many experts believe that people who have vitamin D deficiency suffer from more inflammation and symptoms and take longer to return to normal when experiencing the common cold. That's because vitamin D is used by the immune system as a messenger to immune cells. The type and degree of inflammation can be regulated up or down by simply ingesting normal amounts of vitamin D.
Our society's passion for using sun block as protection from getting skin cancer is wise and advocated by most — if not all — health-care professionals, but slathering on too much sunscreen also can harm your body.
"The regular use of effective sunscreens decreases a person's ability to produce vitamin D," says John Bucek, director of the Somerset Family Medicine Residency program at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville.
Bucek and other experts suggest taking in at least 15 minutes of direct sun a day before applying sunscreen. But those at risk or with a history of skin cancer or with sun-sensitive skin conditions first should check with their doctor or dermatologist before employing this directive.
Dark-skinned people also are more at risk because they absorb ultraviolet light less quickly than fair-skinned people, according to Tanya Edwards, head of the integrative medicine department at the Cleveland Clinic.
Did you know?
According to Bucek, many experts believe that people who have vitamin D deficiency suffer from more inflammation and symptoms and take longer to return to normal when experiencing the common cold. That's because vitamin D is used by the immune system as a messenger to immune cells. The type and degree of inflammation can be regulated up or down by simply ingesting normal amounts of vitamin D.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Deadly Cancer Could be Related to Sun Exposure
Deadly Cancer Could be Related to Sun Exposure
April 10, 2008
The skin cancer melanoma is no longer the only killer skin cancer to be concerned about. Now, there is another cancer that may also be related to sun exposure. Patty Ruiz grew up in sunny Las Vegas and if there's any doubt that protecting your skin from the sun is a good idea, just ask her.
"I had 8 chemo treatments. I had my last one last Friday. So I'm all finished with chemo now," said Parry Ruiz, who is fighting melanoma. The dangerous form of skin cancer is generally caused by exposure to the sun and periodic sunburns. In her case, it was discovered in an advanced stage. "Boy, I wish I could turn back time and put that sunscreen on, she said. Las Vegas oncologist Paul Michael says melanoma can surface at any age and practically anywhere on the body.
"Many times it shows up where the sun never shines. It can be in our buttocks, on the bottom of our legs, feet," said Dr. Paul Michael, oncologist.
Now, an equally dangerous, though much less common form is skin cancer, merkel cell carcinoma, that nearly always occurs in people over 50, is showing up more often in Southern Nevada. It may appear as harmless bump.
"More elderly, retired people are living where they're exposed to the sun. And there is a theory that merkel cell tumor is a type of skin cancer that could be related to sun exposure. We just don't know for sure," said Dr. Michael.
There may also be a connection between merkel cell carcinoma and a deadly form of lung cancer -- as the two are very similar. Dr. Michael would like to see more research, especially in the area of treatment.
"How does chemotherapy help merkel cell? We know that it can help melanoma patients like Patty. But we don't know for sure if merkel cell responds well to chemotherapy. There's a lot of interest in that," he said.
A biopsy is the only way to know for sure what kind of skin cancer a person has and therefore, how to treat it. While merkel cell appears mostly in the elderly, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults.
April 10, 2008
The skin cancer melanoma is no longer the only killer skin cancer to be concerned about. Now, there is another cancer that may also be related to sun exposure. Patty Ruiz grew up in sunny Las Vegas and if there's any doubt that protecting your skin from the sun is a good idea, just ask her.
"I had 8 chemo treatments. I had my last one last Friday. So I'm all finished with chemo now," said Parry Ruiz, who is fighting melanoma. The dangerous form of skin cancer is generally caused by exposure to the sun and periodic sunburns. In her case, it was discovered in an advanced stage. "Boy, I wish I could turn back time and put that sunscreen on, she said. Las Vegas oncologist Paul Michael says melanoma can surface at any age and practically anywhere on the body.
"Many times it shows up where the sun never shines. It can be in our buttocks, on the bottom of our legs, feet," said Dr. Paul Michael, oncologist.
Now, an equally dangerous, though much less common form is skin cancer, merkel cell carcinoma, that nearly always occurs in people over 50, is showing up more often in Southern Nevada. It may appear as harmless bump.
"More elderly, retired people are living where they're exposed to the sun. And there is a theory that merkel cell tumor is a type of skin cancer that could be related to sun exposure. We just don't know for sure," said Dr. Michael.
There may also be a connection between merkel cell carcinoma and a deadly form of lung cancer -- as the two are very similar. Dr. Michael would like to see more research, especially in the area of treatment.
"How does chemotherapy help merkel cell? We know that it can help melanoma patients like Patty. But we don't know for sure if merkel cell responds well to chemotherapy. There's a lot of interest in that," he said.
A biopsy is the only way to know for sure what kind of skin cancer a person has and therefore, how to treat it. While merkel cell appears mostly in the elderly, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Gilbert more focused after melanoma scare
A cancer scare a year ago is fueling newfound ambitions for Belgian attacker Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) heading into this year’s classics campaign. At the beginning of the 2007 season, the 25-year-old was alarmed by the sudden appearance of any ugly black mole on his left leg and immediately went to the doctor. Before he knew it, he was hustled into surgery not knowing whether or not he’d ever race again.
“The doctor said I should have it removed and I lost 10 days after surgery waiting to hear the results,” Gilbert told VeloNews. “Thankfully, it wasn’t melanoma. That is the most dangerous cancer. It was very scary.”
Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and there’s been a recent spike of several high-profile cases among the peloton. Cyclists can be especially susceptible to the cancer after spending hours a day training and racing under the glaring sun.
Magnus Bäckstedt (Slipstream-Chipotle) had a cancerous melanoma successfully removed from his chest in 2006. American racer Amber Neben had a tumor removed from her back following last year’s world championships in Stuttgart, Germany, and is also enjoying a full recovery.
Early detection is key and Gilbert is thankful he quickly followed up with a doctor’s visit when he discovered the suspicious growth.
“Cyclists must be more aware because we are all day under the sun,” Gilbert said. “With the pollution and the ozone, the sun is stronger and more dangerous. I am using more sun screen than before.”
Gilbert, one of the few top Belgian riders hailing from the French-speaking Wallonia region, admitted the cancer scare threw him off during his 2007 campaign.
Following success in a five-win 2006 campaign capped by victory in the season-long French Cup series, he only managed one victory in 2007 that didn’t come until August.
“It was very scary. I’m okay now and back to full health,” he said. “I have regular surveillance of my skin now.”
Gilbert says the brush with cancer is giving him extra inspiration coming into 2008 campaign. The fruits of that newfound motivation were on clear display at the Mallorca Challenge earlier this month.
Gilbert uncorked one of his classic late-stage attacks to surprise the sprinters in stage 1 and then won again in stage 3 despite sending José Rojas (Caisse d’Epargne) into the barriers. He won the unofficial overall prize after fending off attacks from Toni Colom (Astana) and Aitor Perez (Extremadura-Spiuk).
It was Gilbert’s first stage-race victory of his career marked by random stages and one-day classics.
“The success in Mallorca bodes well for my spring season. I will try to be at my best for the important races this season,” Gilbert said. “I dream of winning one of the big races, Milan-San Remo or Liège. Since I live only 30 kilometers from Liège, that is my dream since a child.”
Since turning pro in 2003, Gilbert has attracted a lot of attention in the Belgian media, especially in the French-speaking eastern half of Belgium. Most successful Belgian riders hail from Flanders in western Belgium.
This year, Gilbert is more ambitious than ever.
First, he will focus on the Ardennes classics before taking a break and reloading for the Tour de France. He’ll stay busy with slated appearances in the Summer Olympic Games, the Vuelta a España and the world championships.
His ability of uncork daring attacks in the decisive late stages of races will remain his favored tactic.
“My problem is that I can sprint well, but not fast enough to beat the likes of Bettini, Freire or Bennati,” he said. “So I must try my luck with some well-timed attacks. Last year at Milan-San Remo, we were only caught with just less than one kilometer to go. That’s what I have to do to try to win one of the big races. It doesn’t work very often, but when it does, it’s quite beautiful.”
Velonews.com
February 27, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Multiple Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors
Multiple skin cancer risk behaviors are common among US adults
Whether you’re basking on the beach during vacation, coasting down glittering white snow on a weekend ski trip, or simply walking the dog or running errands, sunlight’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin year-round. Yet a new study by behavioral researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center shows that most American adults engage in multiple behaviors that boost their risk of skin cancer by increasing their exposure to UV rays.
These behaviors include infrequent use of sun-protective clothing; staying outside in the sun rather than seeking shade; infrequent use of sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more; indoor tanning with a sunlamp or tanning bed within the past year; and getting sunburned within the past year.
Collectively, skin cancer of all types is the most common cancer in the United States and the incidence has increased over the past three decades. During 2007, an estimated 1.1 million Americans received a diagnosis of basal- or squamous-cell skin cancer or the more invasive, potentially lethal melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society.
Heredity plays an important role in skin cancer. For example, a typical portrait of someone at risk of skin cancer would show a natural blonde or redhead with very fair skin that freckles and burns more easily than it tans. Melanoma, in particular, is known to run in certain families.
However, overexposure to ultraviolet light—something controlled by behavior—is a major factor in increased skin cancer risk, noted Fox Chase psychologist Elliot Coups, Ph.D., an assistant member in the psycho-oncology program at Fox Chase and lead author of the new study. The report appears Jan. 8 in the online edition of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and in the February 2008 issue of the print edition.
The Fox Chase researchers found that younger adults were particularly likely to engage in multiple behaviors that increase skin cancer risk. Men, Caucasians, smokers, persons who consume high levels of alcohol and persons who report having skin that is not especially sensitive to the sun were also more likely to engage in behaviors that placed them at increased skin cancer risk.
“Descriptive information about the prevalence of multiple skin cancer risk behaviors and related factors such as age may inform the development of targeted protective strategies for specific high-risk groups,” Coups said.
“Since the UV damage to the skin is cumulative, lack of protection by young people is likely to drive a continued increase in skin cancers as these generations grow older over the next decades,” noted Stuart R. Lessin, M.D., director of dermatology at Fox Chase. “This new research on behavior relating to skin cancer risk may help us target the highest-risk groups with educational messages tailored for them.”
“Ultraviolet radiation exposure is the most important modifiable risk factor for all types of skin cancer,” Coups said. “Wearing protective clothing like a wide-brimmed hat, avoiding sun exposure during the middle of the day, when rays are strongest, seeking shade, using sunscreen and avoiding indoor tanning have all been recommended by various agencies, but all available data suggest that the majority of American adults don’t follow this advice and instead have high rates of UV exposure and sunburns.”
“A comprehensive approach to skin cancer prevention requires attention to multiple skin cancer risk behaviors that are common in the U.S. population,” Coups and his fellow authors concluded.
Although previous research had suggested that individuals had multiple risk-increasing behaviors, the current study is the first comprehensive analysis of the prevalence and correlates of multiple behavioral risks for skin cancer among U.S. adults. Correlates examined in this study include geographic location; demographic factors such as age, gender and education; health-care access; behavioral health risks such as smoking; family history of melanoma; perceived cancer risk; skin sensitivity to the sun; and having total skin exams.
Data for the study came from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, an annual representative U.S. health survey in which 31,428 individuals participated. The researchers excluded individuals who had already had skin cancer or whose questionnaires contained missing data in key areas of the study, resulting in a study sample of 28,235 individuals.
Coups’ Fox Chase co-authors are Sharon L. Manne, Ph.D., director of the psycho-oncology program, and associate member Carolyn J. Heckman, Ph.D. A grant from the National Institutes of Health supported the research.
Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as the nation’s first cancer hospital. In 1974, Fox Chase became one of the first institutions designated as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fox Chase conducts basic, clinical, population and translational research; programs of cancer prevention, detection and treatment; and community outreach. For more information about Fox Chase activities, visit the Center’s web site at www.fccc.edu or call 1-888-FOX CHASE.
Whether you’re basking on the beach during vacation, coasting down glittering white snow on a weekend ski trip, or simply walking the dog or running errands, sunlight’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin year-round. Yet a new study by behavioral researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center shows that most American adults engage in multiple behaviors that boost their risk of skin cancer by increasing their exposure to UV rays.
These behaviors include infrequent use of sun-protective clothing; staying outside in the sun rather than seeking shade; infrequent use of sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more; indoor tanning with a sunlamp or tanning bed within the past year; and getting sunburned within the past year.
Collectively, skin cancer of all types is the most common cancer in the United States and the incidence has increased over the past three decades. During 2007, an estimated 1.1 million Americans received a diagnosis of basal- or squamous-cell skin cancer or the more invasive, potentially lethal melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society.
Heredity plays an important role in skin cancer. For example, a typical portrait of someone at risk of skin cancer would show a natural blonde or redhead with very fair skin that freckles and burns more easily than it tans. Melanoma, in particular, is known to run in certain families.
However, overexposure to ultraviolet light—something controlled by behavior—is a major factor in increased skin cancer risk, noted Fox Chase psychologist Elliot Coups, Ph.D., an assistant member in the psycho-oncology program at Fox Chase and lead author of the new study. The report appears Jan. 8 in the online edition of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine and in the February 2008 issue of the print edition.
The Fox Chase researchers found that younger adults were particularly likely to engage in multiple behaviors that increase skin cancer risk. Men, Caucasians, smokers, persons who consume high levels of alcohol and persons who report having skin that is not especially sensitive to the sun were also more likely to engage in behaviors that placed them at increased skin cancer risk.
“Descriptive information about the prevalence of multiple skin cancer risk behaviors and related factors such as age may inform the development of targeted protective strategies for specific high-risk groups,” Coups said.
“Since the UV damage to the skin is cumulative, lack of protection by young people is likely to drive a continued increase in skin cancers as these generations grow older over the next decades,” noted Stuart R. Lessin, M.D., director of dermatology at Fox Chase. “This new research on behavior relating to skin cancer risk may help us target the highest-risk groups with educational messages tailored for them.”
“Ultraviolet radiation exposure is the most important modifiable risk factor for all types of skin cancer,” Coups said. “Wearing protective clothing like a wide-brimmed hat, avoiding sun exposure during the middle of the day, when rays are strongest, seeking shade, using sunscreen and avoiding indoor tanning have all been recommended by various agencies, but all available data suggest that the majority of American adults don’t follow this advice and instead have high rates of UV exposure and sunburns.”
“A comprehensive approach to skin cancer prevention requires attention to multiple skin cancer risk behaviors that are common in the U.S. population,” Coups and his fellow authors concluded.
Although previous research had suggested that individuals had multiple risk-increasing behaviors, the current study is the first comprehensive analysis of the prevalence and correlates of multiple behavioral risks for skin cancer among U.S. adults. Correlates examined in this study include geographic location; demographic factors such as age, gender and education; health-care access; behavioral health risks such as smoking; family history of melanoma; perceived cancer risk; skin sensitivity to the sun; and having total skin exams.
Data for the study came from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, an annual representative U.S. health survey in which 31,428 individuals participated. The researchers excluded individuals who had already had skin cancer or whose questionnaires contained missing data in key areas of the study, resulting in a study sample of 28,235 individuals.
Coups’ Fox Chase co-authors are Sharon L. Manne, Ph.D., director of the psycho-oncology program, and associate member Carolyn J. Heckman, Ph.D. A grant from the National Institutes of Health supported the research.
Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as the nation’s first cancer hospital. In 1974, Fox Chase became one of the first institutions designated as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fox Chase conducts basic, clinical, population and translational research; programs of cancer prevention, detection and treatment; and community outreach. For more information about Fox Chase activities, visit the Center’s web site at www.fccc.edu or call 1-888-FOX CHASE.
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