Health Care Guide

December 5th, 2008 by Aaks

If you have been reading newspaper or listening to news regularly over the past few years, you should have come across several warnings telling us to protect ourselves from skin cancer. Whilst there are many who do pay attention to these cautions, a shocking count of women still ignores them. If you are amongst those women that ignore these warnings, you are likely to think that it’s impossible for you to get affected by skin cancer. Again, you might feel it to be no harm, if you miss applying sun tan lotion while moving out.

Skin cancer is not a rare phenomenon, as people consider it to be. Whilst it’s true that staying unprotected in the sun for short duration seldom leads to cancer, you might still face its wrath. Most women get affected with skin cancer after exposing themselves to the sun for a long period of time. As a matter of fact, almost 75% of women diagnosed with it every year have a history of constant sun exposure. Although cancer might occur after severe sunburns, it usually results for many years in the sun.

Do you stay long in an open environment for long periods and get frequently bathed by sun without having any protection on your skin? If you do, then are you at high risk for skin cancer? Again, is there any spot on your skin, which has been bothering you for long? Can it be cancerous? If you even have a feeling that the spot can be cancerous, you should immediately schedule a visit with your doctor!

Definite diagnosis can only be made once a biopsy is performed.

Over 99 percent of women, who are diagnosed with cancer on their skin, have:

Basal cell skin cancer: Women developing these sores find that a pimple or a scab grows on their skin, bleeds or drains, and then scabs again. This cycle is seen to continue repeatedly and has been found tough to heal completely.

Squamous skin cancer: It looks similar to basal carcinomas. They also appear rough and have scaly patches on the skin, which do not disappear.

These 2 cancer types usually appear in nose and similar other regions of the skin, which frequently receives direct rays from the sun. Skin of your nose is very much tender, and can be at high risk for non-melanoma cancer. Both basal cell and squamous skin cancer are treatable, if you choose to remove them surgically.

Usually, women develop non-melanoma cancers on their nose or face. However, sometimes melanoma occurs on their face too. Such cancer types spread rapidly and can be deadly, if it stays undetected and untreated in its initial stages. Sometimes, it’s difficult to differentiate the two types. This is the reason why you should see a doctor, whenever you notice something wrong with your skin.

If you have a belief that you are at high risks of skin cancer, you should immediately schedule appointments with your doctor. Skin cancers can be successfully treated, if they are caught in their initial stages.

Your life might totally depend on the early detection & diagnosis of a bothersome sore on the skin. So don’t even think about delaying!

December 5th, 2008 by Aaks

Not all moles are precancerous and not all moles look like melanoma, skin cancer. If you want to know, “What does a cancerous mole look like?”, then you need to know what normal moles look like first.

The scientific term for moles is nevi. A normal mole is symmetrical. That means that if you folded it in half, the two halves would match, or be very close to matching. The borders of a normal mole are smooth and even all the way around. The color of a normal mole varies. They are black, brown, flesh toned, red, blue and translucent. They usually are uniform in color throughout. Some are flat, some are raised and some moles are almost bulbous and very soft.

Normal moles grow in different layers of the skin and that’s one way to classify them. Those that grow in the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, are junctional nevus. This type of mole is almost flat to the skin, although they may be slightly raised. A second type of mole has cells in both the dermis and epidermis and it’s called a compound nevus. These are more raised than the junctional nevus and have a brown to black color. The third type of mole grows in the dermis, the inner layer of skin. They are brown to flesh tone and often soft and raised to form a small mound or ball on the skin surface.

Some normal moles that look like cancerous moles are blue nevi. The coloring of these moles often gets them confused with cancerous growths.

Most normal moles are smaller than six mm. Very large moles that remain the same throughout your lifetime often aren’t cancerous, but should continuously be checked for changes.

Now that you know what a normal mole looks like, what does a cancerous mole look like? First cancerous moles have irregular edges. There are twists and turns in the boarders that normal moles don’t have. Normal moles are mostly round or oval.

Next, normal moles are symmetrical. Cancerous moles are not. Sometimes a cancerous mole has indentations on one side, but the other is perfectly smooth. There is no way the two sides match.

Cancerous moles tend to have irregular colors. The color is often not consistent throughout the cancerous mole.

Cancerous moles sometimes ulcerate and bleed. One sign that should send you to the doctor immediately is a bleeding mole.

Some moles are atypical, meaning that they don’t fit the pattern for regular moles but are not cancerous. These are dysplastic moles. They sometimes develop into cancer but they aren’t necessarily cancerous. Their borders are irregular, they are asymmetrical and often look like cancerous growths.

If you can remember the first four letters of the alphabet, you’ll know what to look for when you look for a cancerous mole. A means asymmetry, B stands for the borders with irregular edges, C is the lack of uniform color and D is the diameter or size greater than six millimeters. Also, watch for any mole that suddenly develops where there was none before and beware of a mole that bleeds.

December 5th, 2008 by Aaks

The question about whether any sort of sun tan is safe is one that’s asked constantly and brings a different answer depending on who you ask.

Recently U.S. and British researchers reviewed published studies and noticed that both tans and skin cancer start with changes to the DNA that comes from ultraviolet light. “The signals in the cells that induce sun tanning appear to be DNA damage,” said Dorothy Bennett, a cell biologist at St. George’s University of London. She insists that anything that causes mutations in the cells will increase your risk of cancer. The link between skin cancer and tans that come from the sun or tanning booths is well documented, but the new study presents the idea that even a little bit of exposure of either kind can be dangerous.

The World Health Organization estimates that 60,000 people die each year from exposure to too much ultraviolet light. According to the information provided on the site, “A large number of studies indicate that the risk of malignant melanoma correlates with genetic and personal characteristics, and a person’s UV exposure behaviour.”

Beyond the skin cancer risk, exposure to the sun speeds up aging, cataracts and other eye problems, and may even reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.
Here are some surprising things you might want to know about sun tanning:

- Your tan is your body’s defense against further UV damage.

- The protection of sunscreens depends more than anything on applying them correctly.

- A deep tan only provides an estimated SPF of 4.

- UV exposure is cumulative over a day.

- UV radiation can’t be felt; a hazy sky or water can enhance your exposure.

But don’t we need some sun exposure?

The sun brings us light, heat and UV radiation, which aren’t all bad. UVB rays from the sun help our bodies convert precursor chemicals into vitamin D – giving us about 90% of what we need. Deficiencies of vitamin D are very common, and without enough of this essential nutrient, you’re at risk for developing many serious diseases including osteoporosis and some cancers, infectious disease and heart disease.

“Sun is crucial to your overall physical and mental well-being,” says Dr. Michael F. Holick, author of The UV Advantage, and professor of Medicine, Dermatology, Physiology and Biophysics at Boston University Medical Center. Holick is the expert who uncovered evidence that vitamin D is produced by sun exposure and is necessary to say healthy.

So what to do? Too much sun exposure increases your skin cancer risk, too little puts you at risk for not having the vitamin D your body needs.

Here’s the way to strike a balance:

- Get natural sunlight in the off peak hours – early morning or later in the afternoon. Be sure to apply (and re-apply) any sunscreen you use when you’re out in the sun during peak hours – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. – Avoid tanning beds and the risks of UV exposure (and DNA damage), especially important for younger women. – Get that golden, sun tan glow from sunless tanning products that are safe to use (they don’t enter the body) so long as you follow the package directions.

December 5th, 2008 by Aaks

Moles are an eyesore than anything else and in most cases that is all they are, however there are times when a mole may not be just a vain issue as some moles have higher risks of skin cancer. Moles may in fact be a malignant melanoma if you see the mole is changing in its appearance. The best way to be sure that the mole is not cancerous is to have the mole looked at by a doctor or a dermatologist.

Often times, one of the three melanoma skin cancers is from a mole, and melanoma is lethal if not treated early. It is important to know what your mole is and its condition because moles can be benign in nature or be abnormal which result to atypical moles and even melanoma.

Mole cancer signs are not always visible at first. It is advisable to consult with a physician as soon as possible. Early detection and monitoring of skin moles can save life from deadly melanoma. Melanoma tends to run in the family so make sure that you are aware of the medical history of your immediate family. Bad moles can be inspected even at home by using the A-B-C-D in skin inspection.

A-B-C-D is a series of steps that can help you inspect your own skin at home. It means A for asymmetric moles or unequal moles, B for border irregularity, C for color change over short period of time, and D for diameter or larger size of moles. If you see any of these physical characteristics in your mole, it would be best that you consult a doctor immediately.

Mole cancer signs do not always come from a mole. Melanoma also arises even without the presence of a mole. Melanoma can arise within atypical mole, congenital mole or ordinary benign mole. It is always a good idea to have a checkup and have any moles seen to on a regular basis.

A doctor or dermatologists will notice common signs of melanoma, such as change in growth of skin mole, like a sudden elevation of mole, a change in shape like development of irregular margins and borders, a change in size like enlargement of mole, a change in surface like scaly or oozing texture, or change in color like from darker one to red-white-blue color. Although most of melanoma are developed from existing moles and marked skin, other melanoma also grow in unmarked skin. Skin that is exposed to the UV rays of sunlight is generally the most affected.

If the skin mole is not detected earlier and has already developed into melanoma, you may experience some of the mole cancer signs such as bleeding of skin mole, painful mole, swelling of mole surface, thickening of skin under the mole surface, sudden weight loss, graying of skin, headaches, cough, and seizures. It may also affect the vital organs of the body if it is not treated immediately.

Sometime teens and children do not pay attention to things like moles, if however you do and you notice mole cancer signs, do not hesitate to show it to your parents and they will help you consult dermatologists who are expert in this kind of skin condition. Treating it early may save you from having higher risks of cancerous skin moles.

December 5th, 2008 by Aaks

Many people have moles, some more than others. A person should be aware of what a mole looks like normally as well as what to watch for if they are cancerous. Moles are typically dark brown in color and usually flat or raised on the skin. Most times moles develop in the early years up to age twenty.

Many moles are not harmful, but in some cases, moles can be cancerous, like melanoma that usually develops from existing moles while other moles start from dark spots on skin. You might be unaware of the symptoms of a cancerous mole in your skin. To be sure that your mole is not cancerous, let your doctor screen it to determine if the mole is risky.

Symptoms of a cancerous mole are not always noticeable. Unfortunately there are no common symptoms that will definitely tell you if a mole is cancerous or not. Moles are typically a plain brown spot, they can be in various shades of brown from a light color to a dark and the size and shapes can also vary. The surface of a mole can be wrinkled, flat, or raised. It is important that you monitor your moles regularly and check if there are some changes similar to the following:

1. An existing mole changes in color like dark brown to light brown, blue or red.

2. The mole changes in shape from oval to round.

3. The mole changes in size or becomes irritated.

4. New moles are appearing.

Some types of moles are risky because they have the characteristics of cancer. If the mole is large since birth, or commonly known as congenital nevi, it is usually considered a risk factor and may develop into malignant melanoma. This type of mole should be seen by the doctor as early as possible. If the mole is hereditary and larger than the usual size of other moles, it may also eventually develop into malignant melanoma. To avoid risking your health due to moles such as this, always seek the opinion of the doctor for professional examination and recommendation.

There are also some signs that need immediate medical attention such as the appearance of mole at past age twenty, itchy skin, surface is oozing or bleeding, skin is inflamed, skin is scaly or crusty, or it takes a form of a sore that does not heal.

Moles and skin condition should always be checked regularly. Doctors and dermatologists give simple A-B-C-D instructions on how to check your own skin at home on a regular basis. To detect melanoma, look for Asymmetrical shape or irregular shape of mole, Border that has irregularity, Colors change from time to time, and Diameter or larger size of mole.

Moles may be a small part of the skin that is hardly noticed. If symptoms of cancerous mole are not present, it does not guarantee that the skin is healthy. Let the doctor conclude the condition of your skin for your own safety and protection. It is also advisable that you limit your exposure to sunlight; use sunscreen and other protections available. Early detection of cancerous skin mole and prevention of its occurrence is always the right step to take to make sure that you are in a healthy and risk-free condition.

December 5th, 2008 by Aaks

Moles that need immediate attention but are not treated immediately can possibly lead to precancerous moles over time. To most of us who are not aware of the medical conditions and cases, we often ask, “What is a precancerous mole?”

Precancerous moles are moles that are not yet classified as cancerous but may develop into being cancerous when not given medical attention at the early stage of skin condition. Precancerous lesion is actually a change in skin growth or appearance that is not cancerous. Moles that appear to have abnormal characteristics must be seen by a dermatologist to assure that the condition is not cancer.

Cancerous moles, on the other hand, are considered malignant melanomas which have been developed from atypical moles. Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer; it is common in people with fair skin and freckled skin, also in people with dark skin. Exposure to the harmful rays of sunlight and radiation of high technology equipments would increase the cancer formation in the skin. Melanoma that is detected early has a greater chance of being treated and cured.

Melanoma as a skin cancer often spreads to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system and through the bloodstream. Once you develop signs and symptoms that point to precancerous moles, a biopsy of mole cell will be necessary to know if it is really cancerous. If the result confirms a melanoma, the physician will do some more examinations to determine how far the cancer cells have spread in the body.

Actually, it is hard to tell the difference between precancerous mole and early stage melanoma. Dysplastic nevus or atypical mole is considered as precancerous mole because they have the characteristics that brought suspicions as being cancerous such as having irregular borders and asymmetrical in form. These may come out to be non-cancerous but may also develop into being a melanoma over time if not treated properly.

Dysplastic nevus is one of the most common forms of precancerous mole. It usually runs in the family and shows irregular characteristics that may eventually lead to melanoma. Although not all dysplastic nevi are cancerous, it would be better that a dermatologist screen it to prevent cancer formation.

Aktinic keratosis is another common type of the precancerous growth in the skin. This is usually linked to longer sun exposure. It usually appears at the face, neck, arms, and hands. Some part of the upper chest and upper back also get affected by this condition. Other parts that get affected but not usually exposed to sunlight are explained as caused by exposure to radiation and chemicals.

Knowing the characteristics of your mole and the causes and effects of it will help to give you a clean indication of whether you need to be seen for a a precancerous mole. Self-monitoring and observation of your skin will help in the early detection of precancerous moles and can even save you from the danger of cancerous malignant melanoma.

Prevention is always the best cure for any kind of disease, especially for this type of skin cancer. The best way to prevent skin cancer from moles is to detect and treat early. Avoiding exposure to sunlight and chemical substances from skin products will also help you prevent the melanoma condition.

December 5th, 2008 by Aaks

There are a lot of tales told about skin health. One of the most damaging is that sun exposure causes skin cancer. As you’ll see in a moment, this is simply not true.

Melanoma is the form of skin cancer the media likes to refer to when they want to scare the dickens out of the public about the dangers of sun exposure. There are a number of reports of the fact that melanoma has been steadily increasing over the last 20 years. Most dermatologists will say this increase is due to the fact that more people are getting far too much sun exposure in their younger years.

A closer look at the matter, however, reveals a far different story. Skin cancer awareness programs have been effective at increasing the number of people undergoing full-body screening exams, and the result is a huge increase in the number of skin biopsies being performed. It seems that even with biopsies there is still considerable confusion and disagreement among pathologists when it comes to identifying melanoma. It’s apparently not a cut-and-dried diagnosis.

Looking at the same tissue, one pathologist will see a benign lesion while another will see it as melanoma. Thus, the dramatic increase in biopsies has led to more melanoma diagnoses, many of which are false, as a new study shows.

The study, conducted by doctors at Dartmouth Medical School, found that there has been a 250% increase in skin biopsies since 1986-which just happens to be roughly the same percentage increase in the number of people diagnosed with early-stage melanoma. These researchers became skeptical about the rise in melanoma after they noticed that over that time there hasn’t been any increase in deaths from melanoma or any increase in the number of advanced cases of the disease. (BM] 05;331(7518):698)

Plain and simple, there has not been an actual increase in the overall incidence of melanoma. The apparent increase is due merely to improved detection because of the increased number of screening procedures and subsequent biopsies, which by the way, hasn’t led to any increase in survival or cure rates.

Much like cancers of the prostate, breast, and lung, the more doctors look for cancer, the more likely they will find it and the number of false diagnoses will also increase.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with melanoma, I would definitely suggest getting a second or possibly even a third opinion.

Obviously, excessive exposure that results in sunburn isn’t a benefit at all. However, moderate amounts of sunlight, along with a varied diet containing nature’s natural protective anti- oxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids (omega-3s) is actually beneficial and has been shown to help prevent many forms of cancer-including skin cancer.

Lifetime sun exposure was actually shown to result in a lower risk of developing melanoma. (I Invest Dermatol 03;120(6):1087-1093) Past studies have shown that individuals who utilize sun exposure reasonably have a lower incidence of colon and breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, hip and vertebra fractures, et cetera.

Over 20 years ago it was discovered that vitamin D has an “anti-proliferative” effect on cells. In other words, vitamin D can stop cells from multiplying out of control (i.e., from developing into cancer). The body has only two sources for vitamin D. The first is from oily foods (vitamin D is fat-soluble) such as oily fish, organ meats, and eggs. The second is from your own skin cells, which use the same “cancer-causing” UV rays from the sun to convert a form of cholesterol into vitamin D.

Not surprisingly, those who consume more fish and omega- 3 foods have a reduced incidence of melanoma, while those consuming more of the omega-6 oils (the vegetable oils that are now so pervasive throughout our food supply) have increased rates of melanoma and other skin cancers.

A couple of other chemicals that your skin makes when it has adequate exposure to the UV rays of the sun. The function of these two vitamin D-related compounds, lumisterol and tachysterol, isn’t yet fully understood. It’s possible that they’re associated with helping prevent blood sugar problems and obesity.

Avoiding sunlight puts you at a far greater health risk than exposing yourself moderately. Dr. William Grant, one of the top researchers on this subject, has studied the relationship between sunlight and health for years. He’s found that every year 47,000 individuals in this country die from 16 different types of cancer due to insufficient vitamin D, whereas 8,000 die of melanoma and another 2,000 die from other skin cancers.

Furthermore, pale skin, numerous moles, smoking, a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables, and frequent sunburns are all stronger predictors of later skin cancer than UV exposure. As with most things, moderation is the watchword. Enjoy your time in the sun every day and prepare your body with an adequate intake of the right fatty acids.