Preventing Skin Cancer with Sunscreen

Preventing Skin Cancer with Sunscreen
By John Grimes

If you find yourself heading outside frequently, and who doesnt, you need to take basic steps to prevent skin cancer. In this case, we are talking about sunscreen the proper use of it.

Skin cancer is often given short shift when cancer is discussed. In truth, it can be deadly in some forms and thousands of people suffer from it. Many of them dont even know until it is too late. Fortunately, skin cancer is preventable and easily so. It is all about using sunscreen. There is more to it, however, than just applying sunscreen once at the beginning of the day and then forgetting about it. Here are some tips on how you should use it.

1. Early Application Sunscreens work in different ways. Some work immediately, while others much sit on your skin for a bit. As a general course, you should apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun.

2. Reapplication Sunscreen protection is dependent on it being on your body. From time to time, you will need to reapply it during the day. How often? Well, read the instructions first. Also, reapply it anytime you go in the water or sweat profusely. This is true even for waterproof sunscreens. As an overall general rule, reapply every two to three hours.

3. Cloudy Days Dont be fooled by cloudy days. The vast majority of harmful rays from the sun penetrate the clouds. You should still use sunscreen on cloudy days and follow the reapplication guide above.

4. Your Scalp For many of us, we dont have as much hair up there as we perhaps think we do. If you have thinning hair, your scalp is going to take a beating from the sun. Now is not the time to be proud. Use sunscreen or where a hat to keep your scalp from being cooked.

5. Lips Finally, nothing is worse then burned lips. Use a lip balm with sunscreen to protect the delicate lip skin.

When heading outside, it is often easy to get lazy and forget to apply sunscreen. Skin cancer is a serious thing, so show some common sense and protect yourself.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of biodegradable sunscreen products for the outdoors.

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Melanoma: Otherwise Known As Skin Cancer

Melanoma: Otherwise Known As Skin Cancer
By Michael Russell

Melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer and skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the Western world. It begins in skin cells called melanocytes.

Melanocytes are found under the skin, which is made up of two layers: the epidermis on the outside and the dermis below that. To be accurate, melanocytes are found in the lowest levels of the epidermis, but not actually in the dermis. These cells produce melanin, which affects the epidermis' pigmentation, both natural skin colour and because of exposure to the sun as in tanning.

Sometimes, a group of near-by melanocytes combine with a little local tissue to form a mole (also known as a nevus; plural nevi). The average person has between ten and forty moles, which usually appear before the fortieth birthday. They often fade or disappear with age. Moles are non-malignant (non-cancerous) and can be flat or raised in shape and almost any colour. Usually, they are slightly darker than one's natural skin colour. Dark skinned people tend to have more moles.

Cancer begins in cells where the normal cycle of decay and replacement by regeneration has been disrupted. In these circumstances, cells do not always die when they should and new cells are produced needlessly. This, in turn, produces a growth (also known as a tumor), which can be either benign or malignant (ie cancerous or non-cancerous).

Benign tumors can be surgically removed and rarely return. They do not spread or affect surrounding tissue. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can affect surrounding tissue and organs. In these cases, cancerous cells can break away from the primary tumor and affect other organs or enter the blood stream (lymphatic system), whereby it will spread to their parts of the body (metastasis) very quickly. The rate of metastasis is a deciding factor in how a doctor treats cancer.

Melanoma occurs when melanocytes become malignant. It can occur at any age, but chances increase with age. Fair-skinned people are more likely to develop it than dark-skinned people. In fair-skinned races, men tend to get it on the torso and neck, whereas women get it on their calves (lower legs). Dark-skinned people rarely get melanoma, but if they do, it is usually under the finger and toe nails or on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands. When cancerous cells from melanoma enter the lymphatic system and affect other organs, it is still attributed to melanoma. For example, if the liver becomes affected by cancerous cells from melanoma, it is referred to as metastatic melanoma, not liver cancer.

Often, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, colour, or feel of an existing mole, although it often first manifests itself with a new mole or moles. Self-diagnosis is not to be relied on - always seek professional advice if you have any concerns relating to your skin. However, it is wise to remember 'The ABCD of Melanoma', which goes thus:

Asymmetry: the shape of one half of the mole is not the same as the other half.

Border: the border or edges of the mole are not clearly defined; a bit ragged or the pigmentation 'leaks' into the surrounding skin.

Colouration: the mole is not uniformly of one colour, although it is not so important what that colour is.

Diameter: there is a change in size or a new mole grows larger than 5mm in size.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Skin Cancer

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Skin Cancer Early Treatment Wins the Game

Skin Cancer; Early Treatment Wins the Game
By Lance Winslow

Skin cancer can happen to anyone and those at risk need to be smart and seek professional advice and/or early treatment. This makes sense of course but how do you know if you are at risk? Well if you work in an industry were you are exposed a lot to the sun you could be at risk.

If you get sunburns quite easily or have very light skin you would be more susceptible. Also if you have blue or green eyes or have blond or red hair you will be slightly more at risk. One of the most obvious things to think about is if you have skin cancer, which runs in your family. If you have a lot of moles you may wish to have a doctor look at them to see if they are the type that can become cancerous. Children who have had very bad skin burns in their past could be at risk as adults.

All doctors agree on one thing and that is of all the major types of skin cancer, early detection and treatment is your best chances for winning the game. So if you see spots on your skin, which are not symmetrical and growing these need to be checked out. The CDC says that;

The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Malignant melanoma causes more than 75% of all deaths from skin cancer. This disease can spread to other organs, most commonly the lungs and liver. Malignant melanoma diagnosed at an early stage usually can be cured, but melanoma diagnosed at a late stage is more likely to spread and cause death.

For Skin Cancer; Early Treatment Wins the Game and thus ask your doctor to look at the spots on your skin to make sure they are not cancerous and keep an eye on them, be smart. Please consider all this in 2006.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; www.WorldThinkTank.net/

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Photodynamic Therapy for Skin Cancer

Photodynamic Therapy for Skin Cancer
By Skip Freedman

There will be nearly 11,000 deaths from skin cancer in 2006 about 8,000 from melanoma and 3,000 from other skin cancers, says the American Cancer Society.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers and accounts for almost half of all cancers in the United States. There are two types of skin cancer, nonmelanoma and melanoma.

U.S. doctors find more than 1 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer, usually in a patients basal cells or squamous cells. Exposing skin the face, ear, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands to the sun causes most nonmelanoma skin cancer. While they can grow fast or slow, they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

The second kind, melanoma does spread to other areas of the body making it more dangerous. It accounts for just a small percentage of skin cancer, but it causes most skin cancer deaths. Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the pigment cells that produce the skin coloring (melanin) which helps protect deeper layers of the skin from the suns harmful rays. Detected early, melanoma is almost always curable.

Photodynamic therapy

Both nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers respond to photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment for skin cancer that combines a light source and a photosensitizing agent (a drug that is activated by light) to destroy cancer cells. Its sometimes called photoradiation therapy, phototherapy or photochemotherapy and is useful when there are several lesions on the skin or scalp.

A photosensitizing agent, for example fluorouracil, spread on the skin makes PDT work, because the agent collects more readily in cancer cells than in normal cells. Exposing the agent to light makes it react with oxygen to create chemicals that can kill a skin cancer cell. However, the approved light sources can only penetrate a limited depth of tissue; therefore doctors mainly use PDT to treat areas on or just under the skin. Its less effective for treating large tumors, because the light cannot pass deep into the tumors. Because its a localized treatment, doctors dont use PDT to treat skin cancer that has metastasized.

Doctors sometimes use PDT in precancerous treatments. It usually needs pre-approval by a healthcare provider. Just because the treatment is in the facial area, case managers shouldnt assume its a cosmetic treatment. Check to see the patients age, if the patient is over 60 years old, the case is probably not cosmetic. Also, look at the chart to see if there are multiple lesions on the skin or scalp, usually three or more.

About AllMed Healthcare Management

Founded in 1995, AllMed is a URAC-accredited Independent Review Organization (IRO) serving insurance payers, providers, TPAs and claims managers nationwide. Reviews are conducted by board-certified physicians in active practice. AllMed's growing customer base for its independent medical review and hospital peer review services includes premier organizations, such as Educator's Mutual Life, IMS Managed Care, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, HealthGuard, several Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Allianz and many other leading healthcare payers. Read the AllMed Medical News Blog and the Independent Review Organization Blog.

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How Do You Know If Your Skin Cancer Is Potentially Fatal?

How Do You Know If Your Skin Cancer Is Potentially Fatal?
By Louise Forrest

Technically speaking, all skin cancer is potentially lethal if not treated. However, there are more serious forms of the condition, though they are a lot rarer.

Mycosis Fungoides

Mycosis Fungoides is an extremely rare form of skin cancer and it tends to affect twice as many men as it does women. Many people assume that it is an innocent fungal infection when they first hear the name; however it is in fact a much more sinister condition which is a type of cutaneous T cell Lymphoma.

Generally a cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma is an uncontrollable growth within the skin of the T cells within the body. Whilst most people do not notice any change to their daily life once they do have Mycosis Fungoides, it still does need to be treated as soon as possible.

Who Mycosis Fungoides affects the Most and what causes it:

Mycosis Fungoides seems to affect black skinned people more than fair skinned people, and as mentioned earlier, it tends to affect men more than women.

Whilst it is possible for the condition to strike at any age, it does seem to affect older people generally over the age of fifty. Why the condition appears is currently unknown but you definitely cannot pass it on to anybody else. The condition is also not hereditary and the symptoms do tend to vary from person to person.

Itching seems to be the most common form of symptom in most people, and the condition itself seems to appear in various stages. During its early stages, the skin will develop small patches of redness, though in darker skins the patches may simply just look darker than usual.

The patches are generally extremely itchy and you may notice that some patches are raised from the skin. They tend to appear mainly on the buttocks, under the arms, on the hips and on the chest.

The second stage usually includes skin tumors. The color of the lumps seems to now be a violet color and they are also raised. They are sometimes ulcerated, though that does not happen all the time.

Next is the redness stage where as well as skin patches and raised lumps, large sections of the skin also turn red. These areas of the skin also tend to be really itchy and they often look quite scaly too. You may also notice that the folds of skin on your face and in the palms of your hands become quite thick and they could even crack.

Finally, if not treated, the condition tends to spread to other parts of the body and usually the first parts of the body to be affected are the lymph nodes.

These then become inflamed and at this stage they can become cancerous. If they are cancerous, the condition can spread to the liver, the lungs and even the bone marrow.

Usually, it takes around six years to diagnose Mycosis Fungoides from the start of the symptoms appearing. This can make it difficult to treat early and as mentioned, people generally do not know they have the condition and so their normal lives are usually not disrupted.

It is extremely common to confuse the condition with other conditions and usually in order to fully diagnose this condition; a skin sample will need to be taken.

Usually if caught early, steroid creams can be used to clear up the condition, though if it is cancerous, chemotherapy may need to be used. As rare as it is, Mycosis Fungoides does occur in some people and it does take an extremely long time to realize that you actually have it.

It usually does not turn out to be fatal, but if it is left untreated for an extremely long length of time from diagnosis, it can unfortunately lead to death.

Any type of skin cancer is potentially dangerous, you just have to catch it early enough and look out for any symptoms whatsoever that give the condition away.

Keep YOURSELF looking and feeling great with these great FREEBeauty Tips from http://www.NaturalElements.co.uk In just seconds you can access over 36 beauty topics that will keep you looking younger and more radiant.You can now get the very latest information on Organic Skin Care by subscribing with RSS.

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Skin Cancer TypesCausesSymptoms and Treatment

Skin Cancer - Types-Causes-Symptoms and Treatment
By Michael Russell

In recent years, the incidence of skin cancer around the world has escalated and the condition now affects millions of people worldwide. The usual cause is prolonged exposure to the harmful ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. The risk is higher if anybody lives or takes vacations in areas with intense sun. The recent depletion of the ozone layer is thought to have played a part in increasing the incidence, because the ozone layer acts as a shield against harmful ultraviolet light. In addition, tanning booths, which use ultraviolet light, may cause this cancer. People who have fair skin are especially susceptible because they have low levels of melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its color and helps protect it from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

The four essential types are;

. Melanoma, a pigmented skin tumor that is quite serious and may be life-threatening.
. Basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin tumor, which is locally invasive and destructive (it destroys tissue in the immediate area), but is usually does not spread or result in death.
. Squamous cell carcinoma, which is three times rarer than a basal cell carcinoma but behaves in a similar manner.
. Bowen disease, a cousin of the squamous cell carcinoma but more superficial, involving only the outer most layer of the skin.

The typical basal cell carcinoma is an elevated round-oval, pearl-like bump with some red coloration due to fine red blood vessels going across or into it. Sometimes several small bumps form a circle. They bleed easily and sometimes ulcerate. The squamous cell carcinoma is less well defined, has uneven, poorly visualized borders and may be a scaly, crusted, red elevation with a rough surface. Bowen disease usually is a red or pink plaque-like elevation with very clear borders. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tend to occur on sun-exposed sites of the skin.

Causes: The cause of cancer is unknown. It is thought, however, that squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are related to an accumulation of sunlight over a lifetime. People with light complexions have these tumors more often than people with dark complexions. Malignant melanoma is believed to be associated with numerous severe sunburns during childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. It, too, occurs more commonly in lightly pigmented people, especially those with blue or green eyes, freckles and almost white skin. A tendency to develop melanoma seems to run in families.

Symptoms:

. Skin lesions with persistent ulceration or bleeding
. Persistent skin lesion that changes size, shape, or color (skin changes).

Diagnosis: A Biopsy should be done on any suspicious skin lesions. When evaluating pigmented skin lesions, the physician usually looks for good and bad signs. Bad signs include

. Uneven pigmentation or coloration of the lesion
. Irregular borders
. Asymmetry
. Marked elevation
. Large size (bigger than a pencil eraser)

Treatment:

Medical Treatment: It required Surgical Treatment.

Surgical Treatment: All the types described above can be treated by means of excision and removal of the tumor. Surgical removal results in a better than 90 percent cure rate for nonpigmented tumors (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and Bowen disease). Alternative methods for destroying the cancer include using liquid -nitrogen freezing (cryosurgery) or scraping with a curette and burning the tissue with electric cautery (electro desiccation and curettage).

The treatment of melanoma depends upon the thickness of the tumor and the depth of invasion when examined with the microscope. When the tumor is thin and superficial, excision examination of the lymph nodes draining the skin area and chemotherapy.

Prevention: prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of this cancer, so limiting exposure to the sun is the best prevention, particularly for those with fair complexions. Most of it occurs on the head, neck and hands, so clothing (wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves) and use of sun block with a sun protection factor of 15 offers adequate protection.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Skin Cancer

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Skin Cancer Types Risks Symptoms And Treatment

Skin Cancer - Types, Risks, Symptoms And Treatment
By Michael Russell

Obviously, the topmost layers of the skin are the first to be affected; the three major types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer), squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, all develop in the upper layer of the skin known as the epidermis. Basal cell carcinoma, the most frequent of the three, causes local erosions of tissue if neglected, while squamous cell carcinoma may spread if untreated. Fortunately, both these types can be successfully treated in nearly all cases. Squamous cell carcinoma sometimes occurs on the vulva in women after menopause and may be more difficult to deal with.

Melanoma, the least common of the three, occurs more frequently in sunny countries. Although a certain amount of sun on the skin is beneficial because it forms vitamin D, too much is dangerous. The danger has increased now that high levels of ultraviolet A radiation are reaching the earth's surface from the sun due to depletion of the ozone layer by flurocarbon chemicals from widespread use of spray cans. Melanomas are the most serious of the three skin cancers, once it starts to grow, it can spread rapidly. If detected and treated early enough, melanomas may be cured in about 75 per cent of cases.

The lighter your skin and eye colour, the more easily you will sunburn and the more likely you are to develop skin cancer. This likelihood increases with exposure to sunlight over both short periods - sunbathing on the beach to a point of, say, blistering - and long periods - pursuing an occupation, such as farming, in which many activities take place outdoors. Even moderate sunbathing after summer increases the odds that you will get skin cancer. The damage to the cells accumulates over time, so that people in their middle or later years are more likely to develop the disease.

The simplest way to avoid skin cancer is to reduce the exposure of you skin to the sun's cancer causing rays. Protect you skin by limiting your time in the sun and wear full clothing, those parts of the skin that are still exposed apply a good quality sunscreen to. The chemical composition of sunscreens block most of the sun's harmful rays.

Basal and squamous cell cancers have similar symptoms, while melanomas have their own special set of warning signs. What all skin cancers have in common, however, is change. That is what you should be on the lookout for. Basal and squamous cell cancers may start out small, rough patches of skin that are redder or paler that the surrounding skin. They can also start as tiny lumps or as small sores that bleed easily and seem to heal very slowly or not at all. If left untreated these tiny spots will soon grow and spread to surrounding tissue. Melanoma usually indicates its presence by altering the colour or appearance of a mole. Since melanoma involves cells that produce brown or black pigments, you should be aware of changes in dark spots or patches or moles and be on the lookout for new moles, moles that bleed, or any dark spot, new or old that changes colour, shape or size. Melanomas can be cured if treated in its early stage; those that go untreated may spread to other parts of the body, where they may attack vital organs.

Since skin cancer grows on the surface of the body, the first step in diagnosing them involves visual examination by a dermatologist. An experienced dermatologist can often determine whether a growth on the skin is or is not cancerous just by looking at it. If he suspects skin cancer he will remove a small sample and send it to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. There a pathologist will determine if the cells are skin cancer forming cells. If the samples reveal skin cancer, the dermatologist will remove the growth in one of a number of ways. Certain pre-cancerous skin problems may be treated by the application of a skin lotion containing anticancer drugs. In the case of basal or squamous cell cancer at an early stage, doctors remove the growth either surgically with a knife or by freezing it with liquid nitrogen. Melanomas, which are potentially more dangerous, are nearly always removed surgically together with surrounding tissue. Remember if the melanoma spreads to other parts of the body, other kinds of treatment such as chemotherapy - may be required. Radiotherapy, unfortunately, does not seem to be effective in treating melanoma. The key to treat this type of skin cancer is early detection.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Skin Cancer

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Skin Cancer: Questions & Answers

Skin Cancer: Questions & Answers
By Maria Markella

The two most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. (Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the cells that cover or line an organ.) Basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States. It is a slow-growing cancer that seldom spreads to other parts of the body.

Another type of cancer that occurs in the skin is melanoma, which begins in the melanocytes. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have fair skin that freckles easily--often those with red or blond hair and blue or light-colored eyes.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning booths, can also cause skin cancer.

The risk of developing skin cancer is affected by where a person lives. People who live in areas that get high levels of UV radiation from the sun are more likely to get skin cancer. In the United States, for example, skin cancer is more common in Texas than it is in Minnesota, where the sun is not as strong. Worldwide, the highest rates of skin cancer are found in South Africa and Australia, areas that receive high amounts of UV radiation.

In addition, skin cancer is related to lifetime exposure to UV radiation. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun's damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood to prevent skin cancer later in life

[Questions & Answers

Q: When Do I need to protect myself from sun exposure?
A: Protection from sun exposure is important all year round, not just during the summer or at the beach. Any time the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are able to reach the earth, you need to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure.

UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or temperature. Relatively speaking, the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during daylight savings time (9 a.m. - 3 p.m. during standard time) are the most hazardous for UV exposure in the continental United States. UV radiation is the greatest during the late spring and early summer in North America.

Remember: UV rays reach you on cloudy and hazy days, as well as on bright and sunny days. UV rays will also reflect off any surface like water, cement, sand, and snow.

Q: How can I protect myself from the sun's UV rays?
A: When possible, avoid outdoor activities during midday, when the sun's rays are strongest.This usually means the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

You can also wear protective clothing,such as a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants.For eye protection, wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV ray protection. And always wear a broad-spectrum (protection against both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen and lipscreen with at least SPF 15.

Remember to reapply as indicated by the manufacturer's directions. Also, check the sunscreen's expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than three years. Exposure to extreme temperatures can shorten the expiration date or shelf life of sunscreen.

Q: What does a suntan indicate? Why does the skin tan when exposed to the sun?
A: The penetration of UV rays to the skin's inner layer results in the production of more melanin. That melanin eventually moves toward the outer layers of the skin and becomes visible as a tan.

A suntan is not an indicator of good health. Some physicians consider the skin's tanning a response to injury because it appears after the sun's UV rays have killed some cells and damaged others.

Q: Does it matter what kind of sunscreen I use?
A: Sunscreens come in a variety of forms such as lotions, gels, and sprays, so there are plentyof different options. There are also sunscreens made for specific purposes, such as the scalp, sensitive skin, and for use on babies. Regardless of the type of sunscreen you choose, be sure that you use one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and that it offers at least SPF 15.

Q: What does a sunscreen's SPF rating mean?
A: Sunscreens are assigned a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) number according to their effectiveness in offering protection from UV rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. As a rule of thumb, you should always use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Q: Do sunscreens need to be reapplied during the course of a day?
A: You should follow the manufacturer's directions regarding reapplication or you risk not getting the protection that you might think you are getting. Though recently developed sunscreens are more resistant to loss through sweating and getting wet than previous sunscreens were, you should still reapply frequently, especially during peak sun hours or after swimming or sweating.

Q: What kinds of clothing best protect my skin from UV rays?
A: Clothing that covers your skin protects against the sun's UV rays. Loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet t-shirt offers you much less UV protection than does a dry one.

If wearing this type of clothing isn't practical, at least try to wear a t-shirt or a beach cover-up. Keep in mind, however, that a typical t-shirt actually has an SPF rating substantially lower than the recommended SPF 15, so double-up on protection by using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 (and UVA and UVB protection) and staying in the shade when you can.

Q: It gets so hot here in the summer, there's no way I could be comfortable in long pants and along-sleeved shirt. So, what else can I do to protect my skin?
A: Protecting yourself from the sun's UV rays doesn't have to be a major chore; it's just a matter of knowing your options and using them. Wearing a dry t-shirt is a good start, but it is not enough if you are going to be outside for more than a few minutes.

If you can't wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, you can boost your protection by seeking shade whenever possible and by always wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Q: Will a hat help protect my skin? Are there recommended styles for the best protection?
A: Hats can help shield your skin from the sun's UV rays. Choose a hat that provides shade for all of your head and neck. For the most protection, wear a hat with a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck.

If you choose to wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen with at least SPF 15, or by staying in the shade. The amount of shade offered by a particular hat appears to be its most important prevention characteristic. If a darker hat is an option, though, it may offer even more UV protection.

Q: Are sunglasses an important part of my sun protection plan?
A: Yes. Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.

Q: What type of sunglasses best protects my eyes from UV rays?
A: Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. The majority of sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.

Q: Is there any particular time I should try to stay in the shade?
A: The sun's UV rays are strongest and do the most damage during midday, so it's best to avoid direct exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You can reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter before you need relief from the sun.

Q: I work outdoors all summer and can't stay in the shade. What can I do to protect my skin?
A: If you can't avoid the sun, you can protect your skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants.

You can also wear a sunscreen and lipscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection and reapply according to the manufacturer's directions. When you can, take your breaks and your lunch in the shade.

Q: If I stay in the shade, should I still use sunscreen and wear a hat?
A: UV rays can reflect off virtually any surface (including sand, snow and concrete) and can reach you in the shade. Your best bet to protect your skin and lips is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you're outside --- even when you're in the shade.

[Skin Self-Exam
You can improve your chances of finding skin cancer promptly by performing a simple skin self-exam regularly.

The best time to do this self-exam is after a shower or bath. You should check your skin in a well-lighted room using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It's best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and blemishes are and what they usually look like. Check for anything new--a change in the size, texture, or color of a mole, or a sore that does not heal. Check all areas, including the back, the scalp, between the buttocks, and the genital area.

1. Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at the left and right sides.

2.Bend your elbows and look carefully at your palms; forearms, including the undersides; and the upper arms.

3. Examine the back and front of your legs. Also look between your buttocks and around your genital area.

4. Sit and closely examine your feet, including the soles and the spaces between the toes.

5. Look at your face, neck, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move hair so that you can see better.

By checking your skin regularly, you will become familiar with what is normal. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor right away. Remember, the earlier skin cancer is found, the better the chance for cure.

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Skin Cancer The Four Stages of Melanoma

Skin Cancer - The Four Stages of Melanoma
By Michael Russell

There are four stages of melanoma that classify the severity of this skin cancer. Each stage pertains to the thickness and the amount that the melanoma has spread. When the stage of melanoma has been diagnosed, it is then possible for the doctors to determine the best type of treatment. In this article, we will discuss what the different stages of melanoma signify. We will describe each of the four stages in further detail. Hopefully, after reading this article you will have a greater knowledge of the skin cancer disease known as melanoma and the four degrees associated with it.

Stage 1 of melanoma is thin and the epidermis usually appears scraped. This stage of skin cancer is subdivided into two other categories. These additional categories describe the thickness of the tumor. Stage 1a is less than 1.0 mm and has no ulceration. Stage 1b is less than 1.0 mm but has ulceration. It is also considered to be in stage 1b if it is 1.01 - 2.0 mm even if it does not involve ulceration. In this stage and stage 2 the melanoma has not yet spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage 2 is also subdivided into three more categories that signify the thickness and the existence or non-existence of ulceration. The tumor in stage 2a is 1.01 - 2.0 mm with ulceration or 2.01 - 4.0 mm without ulceration. Stage 3b has a tumor thickness of 2.01 with ulceration or a thickness of more than 4.0 without ulceration.

When this type of skin cancer advances to stage 3 a significant change occurs. At this stage, the melanoma tumor has spread to the lymph nodes. This is a much more serious stage of the disease because when healthy, the lymph nodes fight disease, cancer and some other infections.

Patients with stage 3 of this cancer have melanoma that has spread into lymph nodes near the primary tumor. This stage also involves in-transit metastasis that has skin or connective tissue that is more than 2 centimeters from the original tumor. However, at this point it has not spread past the regional lymph nodes.

In stage 4, the melanoma has spread to lymph nodes that are a distance from the original tumor or to internal organs. These organs are most often the lung, liver, brain, bone and then the gastrointestinal tract.

When diagnosed with skin cancer, it is important to consult with your doctor concerning the degree or stage of melanoma that you may have. A variety of diagnostic techniques will likely be used to determine the stage of your skin cancer. Most stage 1 and stage 2 melanomas should not cause too much worry because they can most often be cured through surgery. There is little need to worry about getting later stages of melanoma just because you once suffered through the early stages.

Different doctors may use different systems or scales to classify the stages of melanoma. The most commonly used are the TNM staging system and the Breslow scale. The most important things to remember are that melanomas with 0.76 mm or lower thickness are low risk, 0.76 - 1.5 mm involve medium risk and when the melanoma is more than 1.5 mm in thickness you are at a much higher risk. When you are diagnosed with melanoma it is important that you understand exactly what stages your doctor may be referring to and what treatments are available to you.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Skin Cancer

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Five Kinds of Skin Cancer

Five Kinds of Skin Cancer
By Ron Keegan

Learn self-examination of skin cancer, as a way to protect yourself, that is easy and costs you nothing more than a few minutes of your time once every few months.

It's really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the subject of skin cancer. What you learn may give you the confidence you need to spot, the first signs of skin cancer.

There are five different kinds of skin cancer. All of them are dangerous though some are to be worried about more than others. The most common type of skin cancer is Basal cell carcinoma with over a million Americans developing this cancer each year.

Seventy five percent of all skin cancers treated are of this variety. This type of skin cancer is believed by physicians to be caused by a person spending too much time in the sun. Which is why this type of skin cancers tends to be found ion the more common places on the body that has sun exposure. This includes the face, scalp, and upper torso.

Although they have more than one form basal cell carcinoma often begins like a shiny bump. It takes the form of a sore that does not heal or that heals and then becomes unhealthy looking once again. These are slow growing; rarely spreading to other parts of the body but still must be attended to quickly.

At least two hundred thousand Americans yearly are treated for Squamous cell carcinoma, this is the second most common and accounts for twenty percent of the cases of skin cancer. This one is also blamed on too much sun but is more common among middle aged and the elderly.

They first appear as a crusty spot, but one with that appears reddened and irritated looking and does look very much like a small growth or boil. If you notice something that looks like this go immediately to your health care provider as Squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of your body.

The next in line is the most dangerous of the skin cancers. That one is Melanoma and it affects four percent of those who are treated for skin cancers. It is considered the most dangerous because it is the most lethal.

Although if found early the cure rate is a stunning ninety five percent effective. But once it begins its spread there is very little hope. So if you see changes to a mole or a new mole, especially if you are over thirty, see your health care provider immediately.

The remaining one percent if divided between Paget,s disease and Kaposi,s sarcoma. Paget,s occurs because of cancers in the sweat glands of the intestines, genitals or urinary tract and so the cancer shows up in the genital area or around the anus.

It can also come out around the nipples because of cancer of the milk ducts though both men and women can have this problem. The sores look a like normal patchy skin, rashes, and can be very itchy or even painful. A biopsy is usually needed to determine if its just a skin condition or its Paget,s. Kaposi,s sarcoma is an AIDS related skin cancer related to herpes.

For more skin cancer information visit signs of skin cancer

Ron Keegan is a successful Webmaster and publisher of ArticleBankOnline.com a Health Directory with up to date information on health issues. http://www.ArticleBankOnline.com

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Do You Know About These Skin Cancer Risks And Prevention?

Do You Know About These Skin Cancer Risks And Prevention?
By Candice Sabrina

Although it is not the deadliest form of cancer, skin cancer has earned the notorious label of being the most common type of cancer suffered by those in the United States. With this statistic, it makes sense to want to learn as much as possible about how to prevent skin cancer. Which groups of people are most likely to get skin cancer? What can we do to make ourselves less susceptible to this disorder?

Studies have shown that some skin types are more prone to the damaging effects of the sun and its ultraviolet rays. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, there are six different skin types. They are ranked in progressive order with skin type one being the most vulnerable to sun damage while skin type six is least vulnerable. However, even those who are not as vulnerable to skin damage from the sun should still take precautionary steps to protect themselves from harmful UV rays.

Here are descriptions of the six skin types. Type one consists of extremely fair skinned people. People with this skin type tend to burn severely and do not tan. They generally have blonde or red hair and blue or green eyes. For those with type two skin, their skin is also fair and burns easily but they will eventually develop a little bit of a tan. The eyes and hair of these people are generally a bit darker than those with skin type one.

People with skin type three have darker skin which may burn, but will turn to tan. Those with even darker skin that always tans quickly make up skin type four. Skin type five contains those with brown skin while type six includes those with black skin.

Now that you have an idea how likely you may be to develop skin cancer, there are some precautions you can take to reduce your risks. The best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it from the suns harmful UV rays. This includes staying out of tanning beds.

If you are out in the sun, even just long enough to take a walk or work in the yard; be sure to put on sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. You should also wear a hat with a wide brim to give the skin on your face and neck extra protection from the sun.

Every thirty days or so, you should check the entire surface of your skin for any changes or new growths. These may be signs that skin cancer is developing. If you find anything unusual, bring it to your doctor's attention as soon as possible.

The type of skin that you have may increase your risk for skin cancer. This is especially so if you have fair skin that burns easily. One of the best ways to avoid skin cancer is to stay out of the sun, or at least protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays if you must be outside. You should also check your skin regularly for new growths or irregularities that might indicate the formation of skin cancer.

For more information on cancer try visiting http://www.cancercondition.com - a website that specializes in providing cancer related information and resources including information on skin cancer

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Dark Green Leafy Vegetables And Dark Red Fruits Help Prevent Skin Cancer

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables And Dark Red Fruits Help Prevent Skin Cancer
By Anitta Viali

According to recent statistics the rising incidence of skin cancer is one of the main problems in United States. Considering that this condition appears to be becoming an epidemic, very critical is to develop new approaches to primary and secondary prevention. As consequences we can see many studies exploring the therapeutic value of natural ingredients and researches suggest that common fruit and vegetables extracts may have an important clinical benefits in lowering risk for skin cancer.

It is well-known that fruits and vegetables contain a variety of minerals and vitamins and other bioactive substances that include lutein, flavonoids, folic acid, vitamins C and E, and fiber. The folic acid has a key role in repair and synthesis of DNA, and all dark green leafy vegetables are very rich in it. So, new findings show with no doubt that higher intakes of green leafy vegetables may help prevent Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tumors among patients who have prior skin cancers.

Another new finding is that pigment that gives certain fruits their dark red colors has an antioxidant activity higher than that of green tea and red wine. Researchers evaluated that pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) is capable of inhibiting conventional as well as new biomarkers of TPA-induced tumors and they may have chemopreventive action in a wide category of tumor models.

Anitta Viali is a freelance writer interested in issues such as a skin formula to avoid diseases.

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The Risk of Developing Skin Cancer From Tanning Booths

The Risk of Developing Skin Cancer From Tanning Booths
By Tim Gorman

According to the National Cancer Institute, over-exposure to the ultraviolet rays featured in cosmetic tanning appliances increases the risk of developing skin cancer from tanning booths.

Tanning booths, like the more popularly purchased tanning bed, is a device that emits ultraviolet rays in the hopes of achieving a cosmetic tan. The process typically takes between ten and fifteen minutes. Sporting a hefty price tag than the more economically priced tanning bed, tanning booths are designed for use standing up as opposed to lying down. Consumers overwhelmingly prefer tanning booths in comparison to tanning beds, typically for sanitation reasons. Different from a subbed, as tanning beds are sometimes called, tanning booths signature requirement for standing limits the amount of contact with the unit.

Many professional tanning salons elect the use of tanning booths when faced with the choice between booths and residential tanning beds-although no statistics are available on the fact. Tanning booths require a limited amount of space as a result of their structure. Many booths for tanning sport additional facilities designated for changing clothes-an amenity used to justify the higher cost of tanning booths.

The risk of developing skin cancer from tanning booths is just one of several health risk medically linked to cosmetic tanning devices, which is also connected to DNA alteration. Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common form of the disease in the United States. Approximately one million people are diagnosed with the disease annually. Forty to fifty percent of Americans over sixty-five will battle skin cancer at least once. Women are more likely to develop skin cancer on their legs. Men are most likely to develop the disease on the back.

The medical community points to the fashion tanning process implemented by tanning booths as the health culprit. Tanning booths use various types of lamps in the tanning process, one hundred sixty watt very high output lamps are used, as well as standard one hundred watt high output lamps. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet lamps, like the ones used in tanning booths, can cause skin cancer by altering the structure of the DNA. In 2000, the American government's National Institutes of Health released the tenth edition of it's Report of Carcinogens. The agency listed solar radiation, artificial sources of ultraviolet rays, sun lamps, and tanning beds amongst it's list of cancer-causing agents.

The National Cancer Institute insist that consistent exposure to artificial tanning trumps up the negative effects of the sunlight by causing the skin to thin-becoming less able to heal. The Institute cites people with fair skin and light, red, or blonde hair as the most susceptible to developing skin cancer from tanning booths and other artificial tanning devices that implement the use of ultraviolet rays.

Cosmetic tanning with use of ultraviolet devices has also been deemed dangerous for skin cancer survivors, people with a family history of skin cancer and people who burn easily.

For more information on the risks of skin cancer from tanning booths try visiting http://www.tanning-bed-solutions.com, a popular website that offers tanning bed advice, tips and resources to include information on taning bed lotions, bulbs and commercial tanning beds.

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The Skinny on Skin Cancer

The Skinny on Skin Cancer
By John Grimes

While no form of cancer is a laughing matter, some forms are often considered less dangerous by most people. Skin cancer is one such form that seems somewhat innocuous, but is actually very dangerous.

The Shinny on Skin Cancer

Any way you cut it, cancer is a scary thing. Next to AIDS, cancer is just about the last thing you want to hear when you are at the doctors office. Although medical research has come a long way when it comes to treating many forms of cancer, it is still a horrific diagnosis. Throw in the fact that chemotherapy treatment is brutal to undergo, and you have a deadly disease with as nearly a deadly treatment.

As you probably know by now, there are many different forms of cancer. Some are slow growing and treatable, while others prove to be terminal in nearly every case. This leads many to consider some cancers more serious than others. In truth, all cancers are serious and some of the ones that people brush off as not serious can kill you. Skin cancer is one such form.

So, what is skin cancer? A simple description is the abnormal growth of cells on your skin. It tends to be categorized in three ways melanoma, basal and squamous. Anyone can get skin cancer, but individuals with fair skin tend to be more susceptible. Dark tans or naturally dark skin do not protect you against skin cancer a common misconception.

Of the three types of skin cancer, melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly. Fortunately, it is also the rarest of the three. Melanoma is usually considered to be associated with moles, but not always. The association is often made because melanoma often is found with collections of melanocytes, cells that produce the black pigment found in moles. To the naked eye, it can be difficult to tell the difference between moles and melanoma. If you have moles, and most people do, the key is to watch for any changes to the moles such as expansion, bleeding or itching. If melanoma is not treated early, it can spread to your lymph nodes and then the rest of the body.

Basal cell and squamous skin cancer are more common, but far less deadly. Basal tends to stick to the impacted area of the skin and not spread to the internal body. It should be treated, but is rarely considered a terminal situation. Squamous is a less common than Basal, but packs more of a punch. Although it can spread, it tends to appear as red, open sores when it does. Unless you completely fail to use common sense by seeing a doctor at some point, it rarely makes it to a terminal state.

Unlike many forms of cancer, skin cancer is preventable if you use common sense. If you are going to be outside in the sun for a significant time, wear sun block with a SPF 15 rating or better. Avoid tanning booths, which can cause the same damage as the sun. If you have moles, check them once a month in the mirror for any noticeable changes, bleeding. If a mole starts to itch, it is time to make an appointment with a dermatologist.

John Grimes is with All Terrain - makers of natural sun protection products for the outdoors.

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What Can You Do to Avoid Skin Cancer?

What Can You Do to Avoid Skin Cancer?
By Louise Forrest

Skin cancer can be a very scary thing, especially if you know anyone who has had serious problems with it. Unnoticed, skin cancer can be deadly but the truth is that skin cancer is one of the easier forms of cancer to conquer when you spot it in time. If you pay attention and do regular self examinations, you can avoid serious complications. When you notice skin cancer in its initial stages, you have a good chance that it can be removed and you will be free and clear quickly. Of course, your self examinations should be in addition to an annual doctors exam; doctors trained eyes often spot skin cancer even quicker than you do.

Most of the marks that you see on your skin are normal occurrences but you will need to know the differences in order to conduct regular self checks. If you have 100 or more moles, you should be sure to do regular self examinations (paying careful attention to any changes in your moles) as you are more at risk for skin cancer. The following things are normal:

Symmetric marks; this means that you could put a line through the middle of the dark spot and it is the same on both sides of the line.Smooth border; this means that the edges around the dark spot are smooth, usually fairly crisp.Solid Color; normal markings do not have a variety of color in one marking.Size; normal markings are usually no larger than inch in diameter.Changes; normal markings do not grow and change shape or height.Itching, bleeding, or other discharge; normal markings do not normally have these symptoms.

Now that you know what is normal, you can do self examinations. If you have markings that do not meet the above requirements, you need to see your doctor. He will be able to determine whether the marking (s) are normal or cancerous.

Checking yourself for early signs of skin cancer is not very difficult. All you will need is a well lit room that has a full-length mirror in it, a couple of chairs (or anything that you can sit on), a hand mirror, and a blow dryer.

First examine the front of your head, the back of your head, your ears, and your face. When examining your head, you will probably need to use the blow dryer to be able to see your scalp well. When checking the backs of your ears and the back of your head, you will need to use both mirrors.

Second, check both the front and back of your neck. Be sure to look at the underside of your jaw.

Third, check your shoulders (front), chest and stomach. Women should check beneath the breasts.

Fourth, check the front of your arms and legs, your hands, and the top of your feet.

Fifth, check your back, and the back of these body parts: shoulders, arms, buttocks and legs.

Sixth, (you will need to sit down), check the rest of your feet (use the hand mirror to see sides and soles).

Seventh, still seated, prop your feet on the second chair and use the hand mirror to examine your genitals.

By keeping an eye on your own skin, you will be able to spot changes more quickly than anyone. If you have moles, you need to get to known them very well as changes in them are warning signs. Remember that, caught early, skin cancer is almost always able to be cured. Do your regular self examinations and visit your doctor yearly to protect yourself.

Louise Forrest has created the ultimate FREE Health & Beauty guide. Find out how you can gain access to FREE skin care articles, tips and techniques at http://www.NaturalElements.co.ukLearn more about skin cancer at http://www.NaturalElements.co.uk

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Skin Cancer: The New Silent Killer

Skin Cancer: The New Silent Killer
By Michelle Bouse

Mary Katherine Grant was a successful 68-year-old career woman who managed hospitals with hundreds of people, traveled the world, enjoyed golfing, and loved spending time in the sun.

The latter is what took her life.

Weve heard it all before: Dont talk to strangers, be careful when alone at night, smoking isnt good for you but never the sun can kill you! Our family, like thousands of other families, learned the hard way: it can. And now, with all the talk about the disappearing ozone layer and environmental/global warming, there is a desperate need for much more awareness of the dangers of the sun, and skin cancer.

I wish my aunt realized the dangers before skin cancer cut her life short.

When we think of the effects of the suns rays on our skin, we usually think about the exposed areas of our bodies and our face. Those dreaded signs of aging we begin to see in our 30s, as well as the pain of a good sunburn, immediately come to mind. But the effects of the sun on the scalp are rarely considered, if at all.

This easily overlooked area of skin, hidden by a full head of hair, is where it started for my aunt.

After her hairdresser told her of a small, irregularly-shaped mole hidden by her hair, my aunt visited her dermatologist for a checkup. The news was grim: cancerous melanoma. After more visits to her dermatologist, and then many more skin experts, my aunt was diagnosed with STAGE 4 skin cancer the final stage immediately before the terminal phase, Stage 5. There was little all those specialists could do. She had no previous symptoms. No pain. No weakness. My aunt felt great, looked even better and traveled the country weekly. But, she was rapidly dying.

After multiple surgeries over three years, various expensive medications and treatments, the cancer spread deeper into her skin, into the dermis. The specialists tried to stay ahead of the aggressive cancer by removing the cancerous areas, including a four inch by four inch plate of her scull, but by then the cancer had spread throughout her body. It attacked her lymph glands, her bone, her brain. She suffered a stroke that rendered her left side unusable. On a Wednesday afternoon, my aunt took herself to the hospital complaining of a headache. She slipped into a coma. Three days later, my aunt died from a silent killer that started from a small, almost unnoticed mole. She died from skin cancer.

My aunt was one of the estimated 10,710 people in 2006 who passed away as a result of skin cancer.

Once she was diagnosed, there was nothing I could do to help my aunt, but I can help my clients, others, and myself by bringing this subject to the forefront. As a professional esthetician, I make it my business to look and make suggestions to my clients. Along with a qualified dermatologist, I can help in the prevention of skin cancer one person at a time.

Dont wait until your hairdresser finds a mole. Visit a qualified dermatologist today. They will check you for irregular skin conditions, and instruct you how to do the same at home it could save your life. Make an appointment to see a dermatologist and have your entire body checked regularly. Learn the ABCDs of melanoma and spread the word (A-Asymmetry, B-Border, C-Color, D-Diameter). Awareness, education and early detection are our best defense. Most importantly, ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN!

For more information and to make a donation, please check out the skin cancer foundation at: www.skincancer.org

Michelle G. Bouse, celebrity make-up artist & licensed esthetician. For more information call 877.691.8647 or go to http://www.michellebouse.com

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Skin Cancer and US Politicians

Skin Cancer and US Politicians
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

Former President Clinton had a basal cell skin cancer removed from his back while he was in office, attracting national press attention to this common form of cancer. There are three main types of skin cancers. President Clinton did not have a melanoma, a skin cancer that starts in moles and can spread rapidly through your body and kill you. Moles that have irregular borders and multiple colors should be removed to be checked for melanoma. Moles that have smooth circular borders and are of one color are almost never melanoma cancers.

President Clinton did not have the second type of skin cancer called squamous cell cancer. The can occasionally spread through the body and kill you. He did have a basal cell skin cancer that rarely spreads through the body and can be cured just by taking out 100% of the lesion. They are called cancers because they keep on growing through everything around them until they are completely removed. Basal cell skin cancers fall apart and feel like marshmallows when they are scraped. All a doctor has to do to cure it is to inject an anaesthetic into the lesion, scrape the basal cell cancer until he feels the hard resistance of normal skin. Then burn an area of normal skin around the lesion to guarantee the removal of the entire cancer.

You can suspect that you have a basal cell skin cancer when you develop a red scaly area on the surface of a light-exposed area of skin. That is probably an actinic keratosis that can often be removed just by applying a special cream. However, if you leave the red area in place, it can go deeper and became a skin cancer. You can suspect that the actinic keratosis has gone deeper when the surface feels rough like sandpaper. If you let it grow further, it can become an elevated area with a fine pearly border.

It seems that one of the requirements to become either president or vice president of the United States is to have a skin cancer. Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan and the elder George Bush all had skin cancers removed when they were president. Vice president Al Gore also exposed too much of his body to sunlight and had a skin cancer removed in 1996. Vice president Dick Cheney also had a skin cancer removed. Should we conclude that exposing your skin to too much sunlight is associated with becoming president or vice president of the United States?

Read my Good Food Book FREE, with 100 healthful recipes.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Could A Common Hair Loss Drug Be Masking The Presence Of Prostate Cancer?

Could A Common Hair Loss Drug Be Masking The Presence Of Prostate Cancer?
By Donald Saunders

The problems of both an enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate cancer typically begin to appear in men in their forties and fifties, with instances increasing with age, and one common method of detecting the presence of a prostate problem is the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

The prostate gland produces a specific protein, the presence of which can be detected in the blood through the PSA test, and with a normal and healthy prostate the level of this protein found in the blood is quite low. However, both an enlarged prostate gland and prostate cancer result in raised levels of PSA alerting doctors to the presence of a developing problem and signaling the need for further investigation and possibly treatment.

In the case of an enlarged prostate gland one commonly used treatment is that of the administration of the drug finasteride which targets an enzyme within the prostate gland which, together with testosterone, is key to the growth of the gland.

Although prostate problems are common in men in their forties, fifties and beyond they are not the only problems that men of this age suffer and another very common problem is that of hair loss. Many years ago men simply accepted this as part of the ageing process but today a rapidly growing number of men are choosing to attack the problem of hair loss, either through the use of various hair restorers or tonics, drug therapy or surgery.

One frequently used hair loss drug is Propecia, which it is currently estimated is being used by well over one million American men, and unfortunately the use of this hair loss treatment may well be masking the fact that some of these men may also be developing either an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. The problem here lies simply in the fact that Propecia contains finasteride.

In a recent study a group of men between the ages of forty and sixty who were suffering from male pattern baldness were given either Propecia or a placebo and their PSA levels were then monitored. The study found that PSA levels dropped by as much as 40 percent for men in their forties and 50 percent for men in their fifties when they were given Propecia, while levels in those men receiving the placebo rose by an average of 13 percent.

With prostate cancer killing many thousands of men every year and representing the second most common form of cancer in the Unites States today (second only to skin cancer), the importance of regular prostate screening for men in their forties and fifties in undoubted. However, if you are taking any form of medication including simple over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements or indeed anything else, then you must tell your doctor.

It might seem insignificant and irrelevant to tell your doctor that you are taking Propecia to stave off baldness but, without this knowledge, your doctor could well give you the all clear for prostate cancer when in fact the signs are there but are simply being masked by your hair loss treatment.

ProstateCancerExplained.com provides information on a variety of different prostate gland problems including an enlarged prostate gland, prostate symptoms, prostate surgery and finding a prostate cancer cure.

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Skin Cancer All About Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer - All About Skin Cancer
By CD Mohatta

Skin cancers are broadly divided into two types- Melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadly of skin cancers. The three major skin cancers that are diagnosed in almost all the cases are- Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. All these cancers are named after the type of cell in which they begin. Thus Basal Cell Carcinoma begins in the skin cells located in the lowest layer of epidermis, which is called the basal layer. Squamous Cell Carcinoma develops from the upper layer of the epidermis named squamous layer and Melanoma begins from the melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that give skin its color.

Basal Cell Cancer

It is one the most frequently diagnosed skin cancers. It affects the basal cells, which are located in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Malignant cells proliferate excessively from the epidermis resulting in a tumor. The incidence of basal cell cancer increases with age. Almost all people diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma can expect to live at least another 5 years.

Though it generally does not spread to distant sites (metastasize), and is, therefore, less fatal. Basal cell carcinoma can invade normal tissue and damage deeper tissues of muscles and bones, and disfigure the skin. On its return, Basal cell carcinoma can be more aggressive. During recurrence it may grow faster and cause more tissue damage.

Squamous Cell Cancer

This type of cancer involves the malignancy and proliferation of squamous (flat, scaly) cells. The squamous cell or keratinocyte, is the most abundant cell in the epidermis. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is usually localized, but it can spread (metastasize). It is easily treated and cured when confined to the skin. Most cutaneous SCC develops in individuals with known factors, such as excessive exposure to the sun.

Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is an accelerated, metastatic type of skin cancer that originates in the cells of the epidermis. In this disorder, pigment-producing cells called melanocytes become cancerous, grow, and multiply at a devastating rate. Although melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, it is the most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma may be cured, if caught and treated early, but it is rarely curable in its later stages.

Melanoma skin cancer cells are more likely than non-melanoma skin cancer cells to spread or metastasize. This means that they break away from the original tumor, travel through the blood or lymphatic vessels, and then grow within other parts of the body.

The most well documented risk factor for malignant melanoma is exposure to UV radiation.

Melanoma affects equal number of men and women and affects any part of the body. It usually appears after age 50, though it can develop at any age. People with light skin are far more likely to develop melanoma than dark-skinned people.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about acne, skin care, STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments, procedures, skin care products, etc. If you love solving quizzes and tests, visit funquizcards. Myspace users, click myspace comments such as compliments, cool comments, flirty, birthday, holidays, religion, funny, cute, etc.

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Choose Tea As Your Ally Against Skin Cancer

Choose Tea As Your Ally Against Skin Cancer
By Michael Russell

It was a great summer. What fun it was ripping and running on the beach. It was perfect and memorable, but you definitely spent too much time in the sun. Even though you use the best and most doctor recommended SPF protection there is on the market you're still not at peace about being in the sun. In fact you're a bit paranoid about it. You keep having that little nagging thought, the one about your family's skin cancer historical track record. You're not that nave. It really could happen to you. Are you in search of more ways to protect yourself against skin cancer? Believe it or not drinking tea could give you that extra edge of protection against skin cancer.

That's right. Specific teas can actually provide an armor-like protection for your skin. They act as a barrier against the sun's harmful rays that commonly occur during overexposure, which can destroy the cells that promote skin health. When skin cells are destroyed they automatically affect the general overall health of the skin. Those powerful rays can literally break down defenses that not only protect the skin from cancer causing substances and environmental toxins but also weaken the remaining cell's ability to keep the skin supple and youthful. It just about puts the skin's safeguard operations at a stand still so serious is this breakdown and destruction of cells. That would explain why you see some 30, 40 and 50-year-old women sporting more wrinkles than they should. The Overexposure to the sun undoubtedly has a high and unrecoverable cost. Here's a strong warning to young women.

Tea, black and green teas specifically have been studied for their effectiveness in skin protection and were surprisingly found to be quite the avant-garde when it comes to being a barrier against skin cancer. If you have a preference of one tea over the other, know that although both are powerful, some different tests have shown that black tea packs a bigger punch to the cancer enemy we're trying to fight against. Black tea has many more antioxidants than green, but drink them both for varied good protection. Educate yourself about the different teas because they are not all the same in their benefits. In another study teas containing bergamot oil, such as the popular Earl Grey tea, instead of protecting the skin were found to make the skin more susceptible to the sun's damaging rays. That's quite a disappointment to Earl Grey tea lovers, but far better to know this than not.

Another surprising protection afforded by the tea is in the temperature and the strength at which it is enjoyed. If you drink it very hot and very strong, you are helping yourself to some lower chances of developing skin cancer. And make sure it has some caffeine in it. Apparently tests show that caffeine is an important ingredient in tea as a protective ally against the sun. Teas tested without caffeine had no measurable protective effect at all. Caffeine or no caffeine; you will have to decide. You know the odds.

Here's one last helpful tip you might find interesting. Don't waste that tea at the bottom of the cup. Why? It has also been found to be effective if you rub it on your skin. No joking here. Green tea especially is increasingly being added to many skin care product formulations because it really does provide a safeguard to your skin. There you have it, another out of the ordinary but powerful ally against skin cancer.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Skin Cancer

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Skin Cancer Basal Cell Cancer1

Skin Cancer- Basal Cell Cancer-1
By CD Mohatta

Basal Cell Cancer is one the most frequently diagnosed skin cancers. It affects the basal cells, which are located in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Malignant cells proliferate excessively from the epidermis resulting in a tumor. The incidence of basal cell cancer increases with age. Almost all people diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma can expect to live at least another 5 years.

Causes of Basal Cell Cancer

It is one the most frequently diagnosed skin cancer.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the main risk factor for developing BCCs. While its occurrence is more in older people, it is becoming more common in younger people even in their 20s and 30s.

Fair-skinned people have a much greater risk for BCC. Radiation treatments, as well as immune suppression, also increase one's risk. In western countries, those who use tanning beds also have an elevated risk for BCCs. People with several inherited disorders that manifest a greater sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, have an increased prevalence of BCC.

Signs & Symptoms of Basal Cell Cancer

Basal cell carcinoma is seen most often on the head and neck, but can affect any area.

The typical signs of BCC are:

An open sore that has not healed in three weeks and is oozing, bleeding or crusting. A irritated patch of skin, especially on the face, neck, chest, arms, or legs. Any new, smooth skin nodule (bump) with a raised border and indented center. Or a smooth, shiny, or pearly bump that looks like a mole or cyst.

A scar especially on the face, with a shiny look of tight-looking skin, and poorly defined edges. Occasional BCCs can be pigmented (dark), particularly in darker-skinned individuals. In these cases, the tumors manifest the same signs of a non-pigmented variant, except they are brown instead of pink.

A fairly common BCC variant is superficial BCC. It rarely invades and is typically confined to the epidermis. It is seen on the trunk and extremities and appears as a red, scaly plaque, with crusting. Because of its similarity in appearance and slow growth, to that of eczema or psoriasis, it becomes difficult to diagnose.

A form of BCC known as morpheaform or sclerosing BCC causes a more aggressive lesion. It looks whitish, without a defined edge, and is firm to the touch. It may look like a scar and can blend in fairly well with the surrounding skin, thus escaping detection for years, while continuing to spread. When these tumors are removed, they are surprisingly larger than expected.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

DoctorGoodSkin.com is a popular skin care guide where you can find a lot of information, articles and tips about acne, skin care, STDs, skin diseases and conditions, skin treatments, procedures, skin care products, etc. If you love solving quizzes and tests, visit funquizcards. Myspace users, click myspace comments such as compliments, cool comments, flirty, birthday, holidays, religion, funny, cute, etc.

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Chemotherapy Its Other Battle Is With Your Skin Hair And Nails!

Chemotherapy - Its Other Battle Is With Your Skin, Hair And Nails!
By Jeffery Yoder

Many side effects of chemotherapy treatments affect your skin and hair. Even the new targeted therapies can dry your skin as well as leave a wake of acne and a series of rashes anywhere on the body.

In my particular case the conventional treatment for colorectal cancer of Oxaliplatin or Campostar had mostly a drying effect on the skin. This was controlled with regular use of Sween Cream. With the newer drugs, the addition of the acne and rashes adds a new element in side-effects and in greatly increased attention.

TAKE YOUR SKIN SERIOUSLY!

My personal experience is that the rash and acne breakout can:

1.Occur anywhere on the body (I have had both of them on each heal).

2.Stay 3-4 weeks before moving to another area.

3.Return to a previously ravaged area.

4.Be symmetrical (if you get a breakout on your right side, you will most likely have a corresponding breakout on same part of your left side).

5.Itch.

6.Be sensitive to fragrances such as colognes & lotions.

7.Cause great discomfort with your antiperspirant or deodorant.

8.Cause some loss of hair as a result of severe acne breakout in the hair or a mans beard or eyebrows.

Fortunately, these problems can be lessened through inexpensive and less time consuming methods, or the effects can be amplified with the addition of other more expensive products used with greater frequency.

The products I mentioned are not the only products that would provide the effective results. They just all have one thing in commonno irritating fragrances are added and they are very simple and pure products.

Another consideration that affects your results is if the climate in which you live has a lot of humidity. In Florida, the natural moisture would reduce the number of times a day you would need to use a moisturizer. Ones amount of natural skin oils can also affect the amount of extra care needed.

LOTIONS AND POTIONS

If you buy only one lotion or cream, buy Sween Cream by Coloplast Corporation product number 7069 www.us.coloplast.com/ECompany/USMed/Homepage.nsf/0/27289ee974cedd7685256f32006b91a7?OpenDocument. It can be found at most medical supply stores that sell ostomy supplies. Special order this if you must, because it is the most effective of the creams and is very reasonably priced. Sween Cream lasts through a number of light washings and would not require as many applications a day as some other products.

Moderately priced lotions and oils make from 100% Kukui Oil has been very effective in keeping my skin moist. The entire line of Kukui products is available at www.oilsofaloha.com Most of their products are fragrance free. The Kukui Moisturizing Cream has some fragrance and could be an issue for some individuals. However, both the Kukui Nut Oil and Moisturizing Lotion are fragrance free. It is available by Web purchase at the above address or toll-free at 800.367.6010. Delivery is prompt. I have not found this product on the mainland.

If you are able to spend more money and buy higher end skin care products, I can personally recommend Elemis products. Particularly effective is Skin Survival Cream, Absolute Eye Mask, S.O.S. Emergency Cream and Vitamin-Rich Body Lotion. Each individual is different in a different climate. So the frequency that one must apply a moisturizer each day will vary. Each product comes in very small quantities (you do not need much at all) and ranges in the $35-$50+ range each! It can be ordered at www.timetospa.com Time-To-Spa has packages that combine many of the products youll need into one convenient packet. Elemis has products for both women and men and hails from England. It is distributed through Steiner in Florida and delivery is prompt. Is it worth the extra money? Maybe not, but you are! So treat yourself!

DEFOLIATE

It may be necessary to defoliate your face every other day to get rid of the unsightly peeling of dead skin from your face. For that frequent of usage it is important to use a mild defoliate that will be gentle and doesnt contain artificial fragrances. Skin Buff and Energizing Skin Scrub from Elemis are two such products. There are other products that may be just as effective for less money. Just remember not to remove your first and second layer of skin in one application and stay away from fragrances.

HEALING TAKES LONGER

Because your skin is dry it is going to be easily damaged, cut and irritated. I have cut my hand opening a plastic lid on a bottle with the small ridges meant to increase you grip. It has taken weeks to heal! Your hands are by far the hardest part of your body to maintain. Every time you wash your hands use a lotion or cream of choice to restore the moisture that was lost during washing. Wash your hands frequently! Use lotion or oil frequently! Dont add an infection to your list of woes. Avoid hand sanitizers as they will burn all the sensitive areas and dry your skin. When going about your daily routine you will be amazed at how everyday tasks zap the moisture completely out of your hands. The solution is to moisturize your hands and wear latex (or similar) gloves when you are washing, dishes, gardening, dusting, cleaning and just about anything else you can think of. Every time you remove the gloves be sure to re-lube and put the gloves back on. Wear them while napping and sleeping at night. This will make the biggest difference, if you can stand it! About two hours into a good nights sleep, I rip them off and look for them in the morning.

HAIR INFESTATION CAUSES SPECIAL TREATMENTS

If you are one of the lucky ones that develop acne or rash in your hair or in the case of facial hair in men it can be a very uncomfortable situation. First, dont get the shears out and decide hairless is best. It doesnt work and I have been told first hand that it can make it worse trying to shave the area. Try Paul Mitchells Tea Green Shampoo www.paulmitchell.com/intro.asp. It works wonders on controlling the itch and in my case stopped the spread and just plain felt great! Paul Mitchell also makes body soap and conditioners in the Tree Green Line. This is not an ordinary shampoo/soap and neither is the cool, almost chilling feeling it leaves as it absorbs into your hair or beard!

OUCH! MY DEODORANT FEELS MORE LIKE EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER!

All of a sudden my underarms started to burn a red rash formed in and around my armpit. After feeling the increase in pain when applying my antiperspirant I knew I had a problem. I now use Sween Cream (to increase sticky surface) and Johnsons Baby Powder with Pure Cornstarch. This I apply with a cotton round sprinkled with the baby powder. So far, I have had no strange looks or wrinkled noses. It really works!

SUPER GLUE IS NOT JUST FOR PLASTIC REFRIGERATOR PARTS

I have not tried it, but it has been recommended to me to use super glue on those nasty and painful cuticle tears by the nail. Im sure its application will test ones spirituality (it has got to burn like #@!*), but it should hold it together until the tear can heal. We all know that stuff is more durable than granite.

NAIL HEALTH MUST BE MONITORED

Both foot and hand nails can be affected with grooves and white marks. There are two methods that really help and work exceptional well when used together. First, defoliate both the hands and feet, but be careful! Because it is designed for hands and feet it will be courser than what you would use on your face. This coarseness can aggravate already damaged skin. Use common sense and your feeling of pain when applying. It works exceptional well in the cuticle area to remove dead skin. This combined with emery boards can help smooth the surface of your nails.

Nail polisher such as clear base coats and clear finger nail polish can help hide badly damaged nails and go a long way to protecting them from further damage. Moreand more men are finding the benefits of manicures and pedicures. Theyre not just for women any more!

RESULTS WILL COME, BUT NOT OVER NIGHT!

The chemo you are taking is nasty stuff. In order to keep it under control you will need to work at it on a regular basis. Even when you have optimized your results, you will not look 21 again with all blemishes gone. You will still have some acne, rashes and delayed healing. I just know how much worse I felt before I found the secret to lessen the damage caused by the chemotherapy, my climate and skin type.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

In general, your hairs health is a direct result of the quality of shampoo you use, for your scalp and skin are the same. I was totally amazed at the difference of my hairs texture, luster and overall appearance by switching to a pretty pricy shampoo at $15.95 for a small bottle. But after weighing the small amount necessary and the length of time the product lasted; it wasnt as expensive as first thought. I am no longer averse to paying premium process for premium results.

REMEMBER, IF YOU LOOK GOOD YOU WILL FEEL GOOD.

I have no connection with any product in this article, except that as a customer. The opinions expressed here are my own based upon my personal experience. Everyone is different and your results may differ from these. -- JC Yoder 05/05

On June 12, 2006, Jeff passed away after a 5-year battle with colon cancer.

Since 2005, this article on skin care has been widely distributed to cancer patients by the Utah Cancer Center. Permission is granted to reproduce this article free of charge.

JEFFREY C. YODER
(1949-2006)

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Think Of Skin Cancer When Doing Household Jobs

Think Of Skin Cancer When Doing Household Jobs
By Riley Hendersen

I know it from experience. Bruises on my hands do not heal. They have not for the last 13 years and no matter what, they will stay. I look like an alien at times with my broken skin. You think putting on a rubber glove is helpful? Well, no.

The condition of my skin got worse after sweating in the glove. Rubber and heat are a killer combination for sensitive skin.

What is there to be done? Once you have missed the great chance of your life of keeping a housemaid, or simply build a self-cleaning house, you are at risk of allergenic materials getting in touch with your body's primary and largest protective system, your skin.

One could write a whole encyclopedia on the causes of skin cancer. It varies from individual to individual as to which chemical, or substance causes allergic reactions. It is malignant, and rapidly leads to death. This cancer normally develops in the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. Therefore, the tumor is clearly visible, making diagnosis slightly easier than in other cases of cancer.

The skin has numerous kinds of cells and two significant layers. The epidermis is the top layer of skin containing flat, scaly, cells, which are called squamous cells. They are located on the surface. The epidermis also contain basal cells, which are round cell that give color to your skin, these are the melanocytes.

Mainly, there are three types of skin cancer each of them named after the cell affected.

The most common type of skin cancer called Basal cell carcinoma, is destructive and disfiguring. People highly exposed to UV light and with a history of the disease within the family are at most risk. This disease can be treated with surgery, or chemotherapy, x-ray. Rarely, is it life threatening.

Squamous cell carcinoma can occur in many organs, including the skin, mouth, prostate, lungs, and cervix. The skin becomes red, scaly, and open, and is rather painful. It can either grow in its original place, which is called in situ, or spread around, which is called invasive. Smoking can be a significant risk factor for this type of skin cancer. After organ transplantation, the immune system becomes weakened by the anti-rejection drugs which may lead to this type of skin cancer.

The most dangerous of the three is malignant melanoma, which can cause death, however, it is the least common among skin cancers. The only effective cure is resection of the primary tumor via surgical intervention. According to the surveys, it is mostly dangerous to the white population living in sunny areas. Diagnosing melanoma takes an experienced eye as in the early stage they look like moles. There are various options for treatment varying from surgical intervention to chemotherapy.

How can people prevent skin cancer in general? One serious sun burn increases the risk of developing skin cancer with 50%. Whether you are sunburn, or you are apt to develop cancer, depends on your genetics as well. However, in every case, sensitive areas like lips, nose, and palms, and the back of your hand should be sufficiently protected while exposure to sun.

Sunlamps and tanning parlors are also dangerous, yet people still visit them especially during winter time. It proves a high risk and you will not look younger or smoother after a fake sun tanning.

Natural skin color is nowadays fashionable, and looking as if you had just arrived from the Bahamas won't give your children their mother back. Take precautions when you enjoy the sun.

For more information on cancer try visiting http://www.cancercondition.com - a website that specializes in providing cancer related information and resources including information on skin cancer.

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Can Green Tea Treat Skin Cancer?

Can Green Tea Treat Skin Cancer?
By Jon Stout

Some of the most promising cancer research going on today involves the use of green tea and its ability to prevent cancer and even treat cancer in patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease. Researchers are examining many possibilities for how green tea might be used, and working to determine the cancer types for which it holds the most promise.

Over the last few years, scientists have learned a great deal about the importance of a diet rich in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are a powerful tool in slowing down the aging process and preventing disease. They are even more important than even with the number of processed foods we consume. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants, as is dark chocolate and green tea. Coffee is also a source of anti-oxidants, though it is not nearly as rich in them as green tea.

The process our bodies go through to convert our food to energy creates free radicals each day. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that damage our cells and DNA. If we dont combat them, the make us age more quickly, they contribute to the development of blocked arteries and the make us more susceptible to the diseases and problems of aging.

So, its certain that we all need to consume a high level of anti-oxidants as part of our everyday diet. But, of particular interest are the anti-oxidants in green tea. Asian cultures consume a large amount of green tea, and have espoused its healing properties for centuries. And, it just so happens that they have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease.

There are, of course, other differences between Asian culture and ours. Notably, we are far more likely to be overweight; and research has shown us that obesity is a significant risk factor for many diseases including cancer and heart disease. However, one other interesting fact; Asian cultures, particularly Japanese men are far more likely to smoke than we are, yet they still have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease.

So, green tea is of significant importance in our quest to live longer and be healthier. There are hundreds of studies that have shown that green tea is a good cancer preventative and can increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

One important study is linked to skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. While only 4% of skin cancer cases are melanoma, it causes more deaths than any other type of skin cancer.

The number of new cases of melanoma is on the rise in the US- an estimated 62,000 Americans will be diagnosed in 2006, and about 8000 people will die from melanoma in the US this year. Nonmelanoma is extremely common. It is estimated that about one million people develop nonmelanoma cancer each year; this is about the same number of people who contract all other types of cancer combined. However, people rarely die from nonmelanoma only about 1000 each year in the US.

Since skin cancer is so prevalent in our country, its critical that we spend time and money researching how we can treat this cancer. Of course, skin cancer is, in part, preventable. So, as part of a healthy lifestyle we should be diligent about protecting ourselves from the sun, because this is the most important aspect of preventing both types of skin cancer.

To reduce your risk of skin cancer, be sure that you are always protected from the sun, even on cloudy days, and even in the winter. Cover as much of your body as possible with clothing, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on any areas that you cannot cover. Be sure to follow the directions on sunscreen closely; many people do not use enough sunscreen and do not reapply it often enough.

As scientists are researching ways to prevent and treat skin cancer, the results involving green tea are promising. One particular study reported by the Alternative Medicine Review showed excellent results in skin cancer prevention and treatment in mice with the use of green tea both applied topically and given orally.

In this study, mice were exposed to about seven different kinds of carcinogens, all of which are known to cause or contribute to skin cancer. The mice were divided into groups. Some of the groups were treated with green tea by substituting it for their drinking water. Others were treated topically with green tea extract. Some of the groups of mice were already suffering from skin cancer, as well.

The research was conducted so that mice undergoing exposure to each different carcinogen were treated with green tea in both forms. For example, some of the mice being exposed to UVB rays were treated with only oral green tea, while others were treated with only topical green tea extract.

The research concluded that all of the mice benefited from the green tea treatment, whether it was given orally or applied topically. In every group, the green tea was effective at preventing skin cancer. The study found that green tea applied topically seems to scavenge and destroy skin cells that are likely to become cancerous before they can mutate.

The green tea, whether given orally or applied topically, slowed down the cancer growth in the mice that were already infected. In addition, green tea given orally seemed to cause some regression of existing skin cancer.

Of course, these results are very promising. If this research is a good indicator of how green tea might work in humans, as well, then topically applied green tea may become the new trend in skin products. In addition, these findings support other findings that conclude that drinking green tea is effective in preventing and treating many forms of cancer.

The next step, of course, is to conduct human trials to see if the same results prove true. It certainly seems that we have enough information to suggest that green tea should be part of everyones diet for its ability to slow down aging and prevent disease.

The most exciting news from this study is the idea that we might benefit dramatically from the simple step of applying a form of green tea to our skin. Addition of green tea to our sunscreens, lotions and moisturizers could have a dramatic effect on the number of skin cancer diagnosed each year. And, even for those already diagnosed with skin cancer, green tea applied to the skin might prove to be an effective treatment to kill the cancer cells, or at least slow down their progression.

Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current tea offerings, including their exceptional green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea (also known as wu-long and wu long tea) and chai. Visit goldenmoontea.com for all details concerning the Golden Moon Tea Company's fine line of teas.

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