LA CROSSE, WI (WXOW)—Since 1970 cases of skin cancer have increased 800-percent. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer.
In honor of National Women's Health Week, Dr. Stephen Webster, Gundersen Lutheran Dermatologist, offered free skin screenings at Options Clinic on Friday.
The first part of a skin screening is the 'oh my gosh box' to see the sun damage on your face.
"Typically, when people look in here see that darkened pigment they're surprised by that," Paula Jacobson, Gundersen Lutheran Community and Preventative Care Services said.
The black light inside the box shows any areas with sun damage by highlighting the darkness.
"A lot of damage we do to our skin happens before we're age 18 so a lot of people have already done that damage," Jacobson said.
The next step is the actual exam.
"I'm looking at pigmented legions which you have but they're all very regular in outline and no abnormalities," Webster said. "We pay particular attention to the ears and sides of the face because remember that's an area that gets a lot of sun."
He recommends people do a self exam at home.
"After a shower or bath you can get a mirror and you can go over your body right arm, left arm, chest, abdomen, thighs, backs of legs, bottoms of feet," Webster said.
You're looking for the abcde's of moles, asymmetry, irregular border, multiple colors, diameter more than 6 millimeters and evolution.
"With Malignant Melanoma, if you catch it at an early state it is virtually 100-percent curative," Webster said.
The best way to prevent skin cancer is by protection.
"Just like we put a coat on in winter, put on sun screen in the summer," he said.
If you're going to be outside, use at least SPF 30 sunscreen, even on your face because the sunscreen in makeup isn't strong enough.
Protecting children from the sun is very important, Dr. Webster said, because getting just two severe sunburns before age 12 doubles your risk of getting skin cancer.
Article source: http://www.wxow.com/story/18559707/skin-screenings-can-save-lives
Rusty Young may be in for the fight of his life--after spending a lifetime in the sun.
About a year and a half ago he noticed something odd on his neck.
His wife Lisa urged him to see a doctor--but he didn’t.
"Well,” Rusty recalled “I thought it was all messed up because my collar was rubbing on it, it's right on the collar line."
Rusty was busy working--and enjoying the fruits of his labor.
After finally going to the doctor he was diagnosed with melanoma and has the scar to prove it.
Researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam looked at four melanoma clinical trials involving more 2,600 hundred men and women--during that time nearly a hundred more men died.
"The Texas sun doesn't discriminate; it hits pretty much everybody equally--but melanoma--that is a different story. According to the study women are 30% more likely to survive melanoma and 30% more likely not to have it recur."
Dr. Jeffrey Lamont is a surgical oncologist at Baylor-Plano and considers the study is an eye opener.
“Despite certain types of melanoma, despite where on the body it is, despite certain features of melanoma, women seem to do better,” Dr. Lamont said. “Now, exactly why that is i think is a little but up in the air."
Researchers suggest that estrogen could be a key player in why men and women deal with melanoma differently but they also say more studies are needed.
Until then Dr. Lamont suggests men should be more proactive about sun protection.
"Maybe you should listen to your wife, you know because men will come in with things circled on them and say, hey, my wife wanted me to look at this," Dr. Lamont said.
Rusty will soon have more lymph nodes removed to make sure the skin cancer hasn't spread.
Future summer days in the sun will be marked with sunscreen--something as a child and adult he rarely used.
"Now,” Rusty said. “I'll use it."
Article source: http://www.the33tv.com/about/station/newsteam/kdaf-study-men-with-melanoma-fare-worse-than-women-20120517,0,5641173.story
Second Kiehl’s store ready to open
Kiehl’s Since 1851 will be supplying us with double the quality skin and hair care products now that its second Edmonton store is set to open on May 31 in West Edmonton Mall. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on opening day, the boutique will be holding a Shop For The Cause fundraiser where Kiehl’s will donate 100 per cent of the day’s sales to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. The Southgate location will also participate by donating its day’s sales to the cause. To further raise awareness of the event, Edmonton Oiler Darcy Hordichuk will be hanging out at the new WEM location and hosting a Skate For The Cause on the mall’s ice between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. to lend his support. 100 per cent of the admission funds will be donated to the Stollery.
Fashion Fundraiser for Tanzania
Enjoy a night of fashion and fun and feel good about it, knowing you’re helping orphans in Tanzania.
The May 24 fundraiser, held at The Fashion Event at 17520 108th Ave., will feature clothes, bags and jewelry from The Fashion Event, shoes from Katwalk and hors d’oeuvres from The Dish and The Runaway Spoon.
The evening will include a presentation by Sarah Pollock, the program manager for the HUSA Children’s Centre. The ophanage, located in Kimamba, Tanzania, cares for more than 50 children, aged three to 16.
Tickets for the fundraiser, which runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., are $35. To order, email Diane at dlrivers@shaw.ca or Leslie at leslie.gordon@shaw.ca.
Suit Yourself for Tea
More than 500 guests are expected to drop in for tea at the Delta Edmonton South Hotel on June 10.
They’ll be watching or joining in a fashion challenge competition and raising money to help Suit Yourself, a charity that collects and distributes business clothing to disadvantaged women entering or returning to the workforce.
The fashion component challenges teams to build outfits using gently used or new clothing to be modelled in a fashion show, judged, and then donated to Suit Yourself.
This year’s event will also feature a Paris-bazaar-themed silent auction.
For tickets, go to suityourselfclothes.org.
Ecoholic Body
If you’re looking for green consumer advice on everything from clothing and footwear to beauty products and contraceptives, Toronto author Adria Vasil has written the book for you. She’ll be signing copies of Ecoholic Body, Your Ultimate, Earth-Friendly Guide to Living Healthy and Looking Good, at Carbon Boutique on 104th Street on May 26. Vasil writes a regular “ecoholic� advice column for NOW magazine in Toronto and has written two other eco-guides, Ecoholic and Ecoholic Home.
For more news and views of the local fashion scene, read Amanda Ash and Marta Gold’s blog, The New Black, at edmontonjournal.com/blogs.
Article source: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Skin+care+skates+good+cause/6646988/story.html
Sure, celebrities may have influenced the prevalence of Botox injections, wraps, peels and laser treatments. But these days, cosmetic procedures are not just for the rich and the famous.
Americans spent $10.7 billion on cosmetic procedures in 2010. About $6.6 billion of that was spent on surgery and the rest on nonsurgical procedures, skin rejuvenations and laser treatments, said Dr. James McAdoo of McAdoo Cosmetic Surgery in Rockford, Ill., citing the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
While Americans still appear to invest more in going under the knife, nonsurgical procedures are still more common than surgical. There are several treatments available to help soften or invigorate your look if you truly believe you’re aging before your time, without undergoing surgery, experts say.
“It’s fairly inexpensive to do these things versus going under the knife and spending $10,000 on a face-lift or more,” said Sarah Ramirez, an aesthetician with InnovaMed in Rockford.
Typically, Ramirez says she sees women getting into cosmetic procedures in their 40s.
“Any time you go under versus doing something non-invasive, the risks are a lot more. Nonsurgical procedures are temporary. If you don’t like it, it’s not permanent,” she said.
In order of popularity, the most frequent nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2010, according to ASAPS: botulism toxin A (Botox), hyluronic acid injection, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing and chemical pills. In addition, a decent amount of dough — $1.8 billion — was spent on skin rejuvenation treatments.
If you’re still reading this, it must mean you’re somewhat intrigued by the concept. McAdoo and Ramirez give us the basics on wrapping, peeling, filling and tightening below.
Treatment types
What do all these treatments mean? A Botox injection tells the muscles to stop moving the skin so the skin doesn’t buckle and new skin cells fill in wrinkles. A collagen injection can create plumper lips or fill in lines, according to McAdoo.
Laser skin resurfacing or tightening causes the skin to contract and the surface texture to smooth with light heating up and vaporizing the skin evenly. Other laser treatments can get rid of pesky, unwanted hair or freckles and dark spots.
Then there are wraps, peels and microdermabrasion, all of which get rid of dead skin to create healthy, rejuvenated skin and can sometimes tighten, Ramirez says.
Another topical treatment, Beta 3 growth factor creams, train the skin to grow baby collagen instead of adult collagen.
Clearing the air
We’ve all seen the reality shows and have heard the horror stories about our most beloved (or loathed) celebrities. So what’s the truth about injections like Botox?
Take it from Ramirez: “Botox does not hurt. A lot of people are scared of needles, and you can hardly feel it. Some people are scared of Botox because you can have an unnatural look to your face, but that’s not true. Our goal is to enhance (your) natural look. … That’s why with plastic surgery, you can tell.”
Be selective, look for skill
Seek out a plastic surgeon trained in injections and nonsurgical procedures, and those with a plastic surgery residency.
Also, know how many procedures the surgeon has done. McAdoo suggests a plastic surgeon should have thousands of patient injections under his or her belt and should be Board Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Ramirez says to only work with a certified aesthetician on peels and other skin treatments. The best treatment centers will offer a free consultation.
Article source: http://www.milforddailynews.com/mysource/health/x1898603794/What-to-know-about-nonsurgical-cosmetic-procedures
RALEIGH, N.C. – Once-daily application of an emollient from birth through age 6 months has shown considerable promise as a means of preventing atopic dermatitis, according to the Barrier Enhancement for Eczema Prevention study.
BEEP was a multicenter, international, randomized controlled pilot study assessing the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a novel approach to the prevention of atopic dermatitis. The study hypothesis was that protecting the skin barrier early in life can prevent this common skin disease, explained Dr. Eric L. Simpson of Oregon Health and Science University, Portland.
Dr. Eric L. Simpson
The rationale for this approach lies in previous work demonstrating that skin barrier dysfunction precedes eczema development. And emollients can be effective in treating mild disease and preventing flares, he said at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology.
BEEP involved 124 infants in Portland and at four medical centers in the United Kingdom. All were deemed high risk for atopic dermatitis because they had one or more first-degree relatives with a history of asthma, hay fever, or atopic dermatitis. Participating families were randomized to either once-daily application of an emollient to the baby’s entire body except the scalp and diaper area starting before age 3 weeks and continuing for 6 months, or to a control group that agreed to refrain from regular use of emollients. All families received advice on best-practice skin care, namely to minimize the use of harsh cleansers and hot water bathing.
The 6-month cumulative incidence of investigator-diagnosed eczema was 21.8% in the daily emollient group, compared with 43.3% in controls, for a 67% reduction in risk. It was a considerably more dramatic effect than what the investigators had anticipated.
"This was kind of a surprising finding to us," Dr. Simpson admitted. Patients will be followed up at 1 and 2 years to learn whether the early-life treatment actually prevented or simply delayed onset of atopic dermatitis.
In a subanalysis, skin barrier function studies were carried out in 15 patients divided between a control and intervention arm. Children in the control arm showed favorable albeit nonsignificant trends for less transepidermal water loss and a lower skin pH.
Parents in the intervention arm were given a choice of three emollients of various viscosities: sunflower seed oil; Cetaphil cream in the United States or Doublebase gel in the United Kingdom; or Aquaphor in the United States or 50-50 ointment, a white soft paraffin/liquid paraffin product marketed in the United Kingdom. More than two-thirds of families opted for Cetaphil cream or Doublebase gel.
Ninety-six percent of families in the intervention arm found their emollient acceptable, and 80% indicated they used it at least 5 days per week.
No cases of irritant or contact dermatitis occurred in the emollient group. Three mild skin infections occurred in each study arm.
Dr. Simpson’s BEEP coinvestigators included atopic dermatitis experts such as Dr. Hywel C. Williams, professor of dermatology at the University of Nottingham (England) and Dr. Jon M. Hanifin, professor emeritus of dermatology at Oregon Health and Science University.
The researchers are now planning a larger, definitive, randomized controlled trial of emollient therapy early in life as a means of preventing the development of atopic dermatitis. This study will be powered to look at the relative efficacy of different emollients. Also, it will include objective measures of adherence, such as volume of emollient used, rather than simply relying upon parental report.
Audience members expressed enthusiasm over the BEEP findings. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has been rising for decades; the disease exacts a steep toll in terms of quality of life; and to date, there has been no established eczema prevention strategy. Moreover, there is the prospect that by preventing eczema via a simple topical therapy it will be possible to halt the "atopic march" to asthma and other comorbidities.
Dr. Simpson noted that BEEP was a small-scale feasibility study carried out because investigators were initially unsure if families would be willing to participate in a clinical trial where they could be randomized to avoiding emollients. But 28%-59% of the families approached at the participating centers agreed to enroll.
BEEP was funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, and the U.K. National Institute for Health Research.
Dr. Simpson reported having no financial conflicts of interest.
Article source: http://www.skinandallergynews.com/news/medical-dermatology/single-article/daily-emollient-prevented-eczema-in-67-of-high-risk-infants/2c2da3aef2419f2832fdbf3d5c81c769.html
Breakouts happen. To help you get rid of spots www.dailyglow.com surveyed the dermatologists for the pimple remedies that really work. Find out which acne treatments will beat your breakouts:
1. What works on a throbbing knee can also work on a pulsating pimple: Applying a hot compress (a damp washcloth) encourages blood flow to the area and can draw the infection to the surface so it can heal sooner, says Audrey Kunin, MD, an assistant clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and the founder of DERMAdoctor. But it’s best to apply heat if you won’t be in public for a few hours - heat can make pimples appear larger and redder.
2. Mask the Mark - A mask that fights oil and bacteria can have a noticeable effect on a breakout. “Something clay-based will draw out impurities, refine pores, and cut oil,” says Diane Berson, MD, an assistant professor of
dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Look for ingredients like sulfur to help kill the bacteria that have caused the inflammation.
3. Raid Your Medicine Cabinet - some familiar drugstore products can double as reliable blemish remedies: A dandruff shampoo containing zinc pyrithione treats your scalp, but it can also benefit skin elsewhere on your body. Its antibacterial effects can help send a pimple packing fast. Treatments for irritated eyes can also calm your complexion - a few antiredness drops will help reduce the redness of a blemish. The ingredient
tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride restricts blood flow to help fight redness and swelling. Also recommended - a dab of hemorrhoid ointment, which constricts blood vessels, to shrink a blemish.
4. Stop Spot-Treating - if you want the fastest possible results, a new over-the-counter spot treatment product is rarely the answer. “Most effective acne products can cause you to break out before you get clear, also known as purging, and you don’t want to take a chance with an unknown reaction,” says Howard Murad, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California at Los Angeles and the founder
of Murad Skincare. If you must spot-treat, Dr. Murad recommends products formulated with salicylic acid, which fights both bacteria and oil without being as harsh as other treatments. Your best bet is to find a multitasking treatment that conceals breakouts while fighting them.
5. Say Good-bye to Scars - too often, nasty breakouts leave behind dark spots. As a response to inflammation, skin produces the pigment melanin, and these areas of increased pigmentation can linger for weeks and months. To fade discoloration, use a moisturizer with vitamin C. In addition, vitamin C acts as a skin lightener, collagen builder, and antioxidant.
6. Stop the Stress - stress brings on acne breakouts because stress increases adrenal stimulation, which in turn flicks a switch on the oil glands, according to Annet King, Dermalogica’s director of global education. Find ways to minimize stress, like taking time for yourself, get enough sleep, eat well and hydrate with raw fruits and vegetables. Try getting a massage, use aromatherapy oils like chamomile and lavender on the base of your spine and your neck, and try abdominal breathing to calm nerves.
7. If You Must Pop - Dermatologists say cleanse twice with a purifying cleanser to remove all dirt, makeup, oil, and bacteria. Wrap forefingers with tissues - long nails not only have swarms of bacteria beneath them but
will actually tear the skin. Sit in front of a magnifying mirror and gently stretch the skin around the pimple. Using the sides of your finger, gently rock the skin back and forth to drain the pimple. Do not keep squeezing. If nothing drains from the pimple leave it alone. Use an overnight gel with salicylic acid and it may pop on its own when you wash your face in the morning.
Article source: http://www.ardmoreite.com/news/x1898603706/Healthy-Minute-Guaranteed-ways-to-beat-a-breakout
BOCA RATON, Fla., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Sensus Healthcare and Texas Dermatology Associates at Baylor University Medical Center of Dallas, TX are proud to announce the establishment of the SRT University(TM) Comprehensive Education Series for practitioners, healthcare professionals, and patients. SRT University(TM) will offer multi-tiered education and training curriculums for the provider and patient populations. The objectives are to increase the awareness and proficiency in utilizing superficial radiotherapy and its many benefits to treat non-melanoma skin cancers.
SRT University(TM) will provide physicians and healthcare professionals academic-grade expert training on the science, physics, practice workflow, and patient management pertaining to superficial radiotherapy in treating non-melanoma skin cancers. Training will be delivered via online, live and on-demand broadcasts, and hands-on modules.
Dr. Dan McCoy, who will lead the clinician content development team, said, "We are extremely excited to be involved in this project with Sensus Healthcare to bring this treatment modality back to the forefront of skin cancer therapy in dermatology and to train practitioners and healthcare professionals to use this technology for optimal outcomes for our patients."
Joe Sardano, President and CEO of Sensus Healthcare, said, "We are honored and excited to partner with Dr. McCoy and his team in establishing a world-class expert education program that will benefit the patients, optimize clinical outcomes, and help the physicians and healthcare professionals to constantly hone their skills and essentially create an idea-sharing and knowledge proliferation professional community, while increasing patient awareness of superficial radiotherapy as a viable treatment option for their non-melanoma skin cancer."
About Sensus Healthcare: Sensus Healthcare specializes in making proven non-melanoma skin cancer solutions more accessible to patients. Our dedicated superficial radiation therapy (SRT) systems are designed specifically to provide an alternative to surgical procedures for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Our mobile, compact SRT-100(TM) systems are used widely by oncologists and dermatologists to bring non-melanoma skin cancer treatment to more patients in more settings. We also offer a professional skin care line, Sensus Skin Solutions(TM), through our physician SRT-100(TM) users for their patients.
About Texas Dermatology Associates at Baylor Medical Center: Texas Dermatology Associates at Baylor Medical Center is a comprehensive clinic specializing in the treatment of a wide variety of skin diseases since 1974. Dr. Alan Menter, Senior Partner, is internationally known for his work in the treatment of psoriasis, and Dr. Dan McCoy, Managing Partner, is Medical Director for the Baylor Sammons Cancer Center Skin Tumor and Melanoma Clinic. Texas Dermatology is the primary clinical site for the Baylor University Medical Center Dermatology Residency Program. The providers and staff at Texas Dermatology have contributed over 300 articles in prestigious medical journals, nationally and internationally, as well as lecturing extensively. The Menter Dermatology Research Institute is a leading innovator in dermatology research.
Contact:
Michelle Verina Public Relations 561-922-5808 Ext 108 michelle@sensushealthcare.com
SOURCE Sensus Healthcare
Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sensus-healthcare-and-texas-dermatology-associates-at-baylor-university-medical-center-announce-the-formation-of-the-srt-universitytm-comprehensive-education-series-for-practitioners-healthcare-2012-05-18
With summer just around the corner, you might be craving a day at the beach. A day to relax, catch up on a good book and warm up in the sun.
"I love to be out in the sun, it makes you feel good to be out in the sun," says Dr. Toni Klatt-Ellis.
But Dr. Klatt-Ellis, an Advanced Practice Nurse at Elkhart General Hospital, knows the risk. She's been in oncology for thirty years. The risk is skin cancer.
"I think it is the cancer that the public fears the least," she says. "We choose to ignore the fact that, if you tan, that increases the risk for cancer."
Dr. Klatt-Ellis says ignoring it isn't going to protect you. Neither are the reasons you convince yourself it's ok. So in honor of National Skin Cancer Awareness month, Dr. Klatt-Ellis helps clear up a few common misconceptions.
Myth 1:
"Tanning beds are safe---which is not true," she says. "They're not safe. They give you UVB radiation just like the sun does."
To put it in perspective, if you don't use a tanning bed, your risk of skin cancer is 1 in 97. If you do go to tanning beds about 10 times a year, your risk jumps to 1 in 13.
Myth 2:
"You need sun exposure to be able to metabolize vitamin D and to be healthy in vitamin D," says Dr. Klatt-Ellis. "And that's not true either. You actually need 10 minutes to 15 minutes of sun exposure a day which most of us get walking around to be able to metabolize vitamin D."
Myth 3:
"If I don't burn then I'm not at risk. Which is not true," she says.
Burns are worse but she says any kind of sun exposure can be damaging. It actually damages your DNA.
"When DNA is broken and damaged, it tends to divide in an abnormal way," Dr. Klatt-Ellis says. "When you use sunscreen you decrease the chances of that from happening. The best option, the healthiest option---if you want to prevent cancer and be healthy is to embrace porcelain."
But Dr. Klatt-Ellis knows not everyone can do that. All the myths aside, one of the big reasons people still crave sun-kissed skin is ego.
"In this culture, we are very into how we look," says Dr. Klatt-Ellis.
When it comes to caring about how you look, that's something Rebecca Maalouf, owner of Camellia cosmetics, understands. Rebecca says caring about how you look is WHY you should over too much sun exposure.
Rebecca says, "It's the opposite of aesthetically pleasing, a natural tan is going to damage your skin"
So for the safe tan, here's what Rebecca suggests.
"Do some bronzer," she says, "try some fake tan and just go without it for a little while. You can't tell the difference other than their skin looks better, they look younger than people who are definitely tanning in the sun. They're not orange anymore."
Article source: http://www.fox28.com/story/18555569/may-is-skin-cancer-awareness-month
Although it is not yet officially summer, it would be hard to convince most plants, animals and people that it is not, except for the kids who are still in school.
I saw my first firefly last night, ripe strawberries in a school garden today, and then there are warmer-than-usual temperatures. Regardless of how you feel about it, we are bound to see more summer-like days in the coming weeks, even before the summer solstice on June 20, which happens to be the last day of school for most Alexandria City Public School students.
So, as you head out to the garden, coast along the bike trail, bask on the beach, soak up the sun in Founder's Park or perch on the bleachers at a ball game, make sure that you’re covered.
Last year I wrote about my quest for safe and effective sun protection, in which I recommended a then-new iPhone app from the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit research and advocacy group that aims "to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment." The app was designed to help consumers make informed choices when selecting sun-related skin protection products.
One might think that things could not change so dramatically in just a year, but with new products on the market, new regulations, the results of new studies about sun damage and skin cancer and the like, a look at the new 2012 Sunscreen Guide is, indeed, in order. The fact that EWG just published it’s 6th annual guide, suggests that things do change sufficiently to warrant an annual update.
Last year, EWG recommended only 20 percent of the sunscreens that it tested. This year, that number is up to 25 percent of the 257 brands and more than 1,800 products that the group tested this year. The details of what changed and why are available in the full EWG report.
It's not clear whether or not sunscreen actually prevents cancer. Although the Food and Drug Administration’s rules allow sunscreen marketers to advertise that their products can reduce risks associated with skin cancer and sun-related aging, there is insufficient evidence that sunscreen alone helps to reduce the risks. In fact, as the EWG explains, studies indicate that some people who use sunscreen have higher levels of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, though the cause is unclear. Some theories, include users over estimating the level of protection of the sunscreen because of high SPF numbers and/or improper insufficient application leading to over exposure. Or free radicals created by user’s bodies when the chemicals in the sunscreen are broken down in sunlight.
Amidst all of the contradictions and confusion, there is some agreement: the first line of defense should be protection. These tips shared in last year’s column, still hold true:
- Wear clothing that provides the best skin coverage: long-sleeved shirts and long pants, if practical.
- Wear a hat that shades your face, ears and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that offer protection against UVA and UVB rays … as close to 100 percent as you can find. The Centers for Disease Control recommends wrap-around frames for maximum coverage.
- Seek shade during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when UV exposure is highest.
This, of course, must be balanced with our need for some sun, which our bodies need to produce vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth. Vitamin D deficiency, which has garnered a good deal of attentinon in recent years, has been linked to a myriad of maladies, including several types of cancer, depression and heart disease ... but that's another column!
Today, let's get set to be safe in the sun this summer.
Article source: http://oldtownalexandria.patch.com/articles/green-and-simple-a-guide-to-summer-skin-safety
As summer quickly approaches, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has joined the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Park Service (NPS) to emphasize the dangers of skin cancer and has provided simple steps Americans can take to protect themselves. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated the Friday before Memorial Day “Don’t Fry Day” as a way to highlight sun safety.
“Skin cancer prevention and sun safety are important issues for EPA – our primary mission is to protect people’s health and the environment,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “While the agency has made steady progress protecting the Earth's ozone layer, the SunWise program and Don't Fry Day help teach children and families simple steps to stay safe in the sun and protect themselves from harmful UV rays.”
“The risk of skin cancer is very real. It's therefore important that consumers prevent sunburn and protect themselves from the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging throughout the year,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D. “The FDA strongly recommends that consumers regularly use a Broad Spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or higher in combination with other protective measures to more effectively protect themselves and their families whenever they are in the sun.”
“Whether you hike or stroll, paddle a canoe or kayak or just sit in a mountain meadow watching the clouds go by, remember to put on your hat, apply sunscreen and have plenty of water to drink,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “These sun safety tips will protect your skin and I think guarantee that we’ll see you often in your national parks.”
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and the most common cancer among 20 to 30 year-olds. It's estimated that one American dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Approximately 76,000 new cases of melanoma will occur this year.
To help protect people's health, EPA’s SunWise program, one of the nation's largest environmental and health education programs, encourages kids and their caregivers to practice safe sun habits and raises awareness about UV sunlight that penetrates the Earth's ozone layer.
Here are some tips to help Americans continue to exercise, get outside and be SunWise this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer:
Check the UV Index app: Check the ultraviolet (UV) index anytime by downloading EPA's app (epa.gov/enviro/mobile) to help plan outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. UV rays from the sun (and from artificial light sources such as tanning beds) can lead to skin cancer.
Apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing: Apply a palm-full of sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to exposed skin about 15 minutes before heading outdoors. Reapply every two hours. Wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses also prevents sun damage.
Seek shade, not sun: The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so seek shade during this time.
Although less common in individuals with darker complexions, skin cancer does not discriminate and is more often fatal for individuals with darker skin. Overexposure to the sun also causes immune suppression and up to 90 percent of wrinkles, brown spots, leathering of the skin and sagging.
EPA's SunWise program offers factsheets online that have state-specific information (epa.gov/sunwise/statefacts.html). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the states with the highest melanoma death rates include Nebraska, Vermont, Colorado, Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
More on SunWise: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise
More on FDA sun safety: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm258416.htm
More on NPS Healthy Parks Healthy People: http://www.nps.gov/public_health/hp/hphp.htm
More on CDC skin cancer prevention efforts: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/
The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention social media opportunities: http://twibbon.com/cause/Don39t-Fry-Day-7/Join
Article source: http://www.agriculture.com/family/health/prevention/protect-yourself-from-skin-ccer_337-ar24200