Survey Finds Adults Need More Education on How to Spot Skin Cancer

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Becky

how to detect skin cancer A new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found that almost half of adults in the U.S. don’t know how to look for signs of skin cancer.

In an effort to increase the public’s knowledge about skin cancer, the ADD has launched the SPOT Skin Cancer initiative.

The goal of SPOT is to educate people on how to protect themselves from the sun and how to detect skin cancer, says Daniel M. Siegel, MD, a dermatologist and president of the AAD.

The program’s call to action is three parts:

  1. Prevent—stay in the shade, cover up, and use sunscreen.
  2. Detect—look for changing spots on your skin.
  3. Live—visit your dermatologist if you notice any spots changing, itching, or bleeding.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S;  however, the AAD’s national online survey showed that 74 percent of respondents didn’t know this. It is estimated that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.

When people know what to look for, they can catch it early when skin cancer is most treatable.

“Unlike other types of cancer that can’t be seen by the naked eye, skin cancer shows obvious signs on the surface of the skin that can be easily detected by properly examining it,” says Dr. Siegel.

When skin cancer is caught early, it has a 98 percent cure rate.

Visit the SPOT Skin Cancer program’s website, www.SpotSkinCancer.org, to do the following:

  • Learn how to perform a skin self-exam.
  • Download a body mole map for tracking changes in your skin.
  • Find free skin cancer screenings near you.

The website also features stories of those affected by skin cancer.

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Cynthia Nixon Reveals She Has Rosacea

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Becky

Actress Cynthia Nixon recently revealed that she suffers from the chronic skin condition rosacea.

She’s collaborating with the National Rosacea Society for an online public service announcement to help educate patients on the facts about rosacea.

“It was a relief to find out from my dermatologist what was going on with my skin, especially because rosacea can get worse if it’s not treated,” says Nixon, who for years thought her blemishes were acne.

It’s not uncommon for rosacea to go undiagnosed. Symptoms of this vascular condition include:

  • Red skin, like a sunburn
  • Red bumps or blemishes on the cheeks, forehead, nose, or chin
  • Visible small red blood vessels
  • Flushed skin after taking a hot shower, exercising, or drinking alcohol
  • Irritated or bloodshot eyes

Because rosacea symptoms can resemble other skin problems, such as acne or eczema, it can be difficult to recognize.

“Over 16 million Americans have rosacea, but 78 percent of Americans have no knowledge of this condition, including how to recognize it and what to do about it,” says Sam Huff, Executive Director of the National Rosacea Society. “It’s important to spread awareness because in addition to the physical symptoms, rosacea can cause anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment among sufferers.”

Gets the Facts About Rosacea Treatments

While there is no cure for rosacea, your dermatologist can treat the condition. Treatments that can help control symptoms include topical medication, oral medication, and laser treatments, such as VBeam.

Patients can also try to avoid things that may trigger rosacea; common triggers include exposure to the sun, exercise, alcohol, and hot and cold weather. Using sun screen and gentle skin care products can also help.

“My dermatologist told me that my harsh, do-it-yourself skin care routine was actually contributing to my rosacea flare-ups, and she helped me develop a regimen that worked for me,” says Nixon.

To view more of Nixon’s rosacea videos, visit www.rosaceafacts.com.

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Caffeine and Exercise Combo May Help Prevent Skin Cancer

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Becky

skin cancer preventionA new study suggests that a combination of caffeine and exercise may reduce the risk of skin cancer from sun exposure.

The combination was found to help prevent skin cancer and reduce tumor size in mice.

“I believe we may extrapolate these findings to humans and anticipate that we would benefit from these combination treatments as well,” said Yao-Ping Lu, Ph.D., associate research professor of chemical biology and director of skin cancer prevention at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy in Piscataway, N.J.

The study looked at the effects of caffeine and exercise on mice that had a high risk for developing skin cancer. The mice had been exposed to UVB radiation, which is associated with skin cancer risk. The mice were divided into four groups: the control group received water and no exercise wheel; a second group received water mixed with caffeine and no exercise wheel; a third group received water and an exercise wheel; and a fourth group received water mixed with caffeine and an exercise wheel.

After 14 weeks of treatment, the mice that received both caffeine and exercised had 62 percent fewer non-melanoma skin tumors. In addition, the size of the tumors decreased by 85 percent compared to the control group.

The mice that received either caffeine or exercise alone also saw skin cancer prevention benefits, but not as much as the mice who received both caffeine and exercise.

“The mice move more with caffeine. The common mechanism we see is that both [exercise and caffeine] decrease tissue fat. Both moderately prevent skin cancer,” said Lu.

Another set of experiments had the mice on a high-fat diet, and the group with caffeine and exercise again saw the most benefits. The mice lost fat and had as much as a 92 percent drop in inflammation, in addition to less cancer and reduced tumor volume. According to the researchers, the results suggest that fat and tumor growth are related.

Sources: Time, Medical Daily

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