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In the January issue of Allure magazine they mention the study from the National Cancer Institute that shows melanoma is on the rise in young women. Here is the link :
Just last week I found a melanoma in a 20 year old. We are certainly seeing more skin cancers each year and more melanomas in younger and younger patients. It is fortunate that we have found all of these melanomas in the earliest stage so that they are totally curable since melanoma is the deadliest of all skin cancer. What does this mean to you and your friends and family. Make certain to get your mole check. Do not put it off. Also wear your sunscreen on a daily basis. Sun damage is cumulative. Even 10 minutes per day over a life time adds up. The newest recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology is to wear an SPF of 30 daily. There are some new sunscreens that are easy to use that are very cosmetically elegant. We have a variety to choose from including waterproof powders, light lotions, and a new SPF 45 that is truly weightless and goes right into the skin. Whatever product you choose make certain that it blocks both the UVA and UVB rays as both are very damaging to the skin. Over one million cases of all types of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. There is new legislation being proposed to tax tanning salons and to limit their use in teenagers. People who have used tanning beds before the age of 35 increase their risk of melanoma by 75 percent. So be smart get your skin checked, avoid tanning beds and use your sunscreen regularly.
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Archive for January, 2010
Skin Cancer On The Increase
Monday, January 25th, 2010The Sunscreen and Vitamin D Controversy
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010As I was going to have a bone density I was thinking about osteoporosis and weak bones. Woman are supposed to get a baseline test at age 48. There is a lot of talk these days about not using sunscreen as you need the sun to absorb Vitamin D through your skin. Let me tell you why I think this is a big mistake. Every hour in the US someone dies from Malignant Melanoma or the big M as we call it in my office. This is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Sunscreen helps to protect us from skin cancer. There are also other skin cancers to worry about like basal and squamous cell cancers they are often on the face and can leave scars after surgery. If you try to get your Vitamin D from the sun it is not that reliable, especially if you live in a place that is not sunny all year round. The Vitamin D will not be well absorbed by people with darker skin tones or those who are older.
It is so easy to take a supplement. For those of us that are adults, 1000 international units would be good to take daily. Make certain you take Vitamin D3. You can also get it from some foods like fortified milk or orange juice. Breakfast cereals and some breads are also fortified with it. It naturally occurs in high concentrations in wild salmon. A 3.5 ounce serving daily would be all you need. You can find it in ahi tuna, trout and sardines. People for many generations took one tablespoon of cod liver oil which also has more than enough for the whole day.You can also go to your doctor and have a simple blood test to see how much Vitamin D is in you blood. Vitamin D protects your bones but it is also thought to protect the immune system and may lower your risk of colon, breast and kidney cancer. Just don’t prevent these cancers at the expense of your skin and end up with skin cancer. the newest recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology are to wear an SPF 30 daily.
Good news! There is an article in the LA Times that says eating fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-aging. You know how much we all want to look younger so thats an added benefit of eating all that salmon. Here is the link:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/01/fish-oil-aging-heart.html