New Approach Prevents Skin Cancer Using Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Every year there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and

colon cancers combined. One in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.

90% of skin cancers are caused by excessive sun exposure, yet fewer than 33

percent of adults, adolescents, and children routinely use sun protection.

Cancer prevention and early detection techniques could eliminate up to 100,000

cancer cases and 60,000 US cancer deaths each year. New technologies in the

evaluation and treatment of sun damaged skin could have a positive impact on

changing these statistics.

The same sunny weather that attracts so many tourists and new residents to the

sun-belt also increases the risk of skin cancer. The effects of chronic sun exposure

result in superficial sun spots that are visible and also invisible changes that occur

under the skin's surface. Ultraviolet photography and photodynamic therapy (PDT)

are two recent developments that should help in the early detection and treatment

of both types of pre-cancerous skin lesions.

Early Detection with UV Photography

Ultraviolet (UV) photography offers a very useful screening tool to help the skilled

physician detect sun damaged skin that may not be visible upon a routine

examination.

Visual inspection can only detect changes on the skin's surface, but damage due to

sun exposure occurs beneath the outer layer of skin,

The UV camera briefly shines ultraviolet light on the face. UV light is able to

penetrate 1.5-2.0 millimeters under the visible dead layer of skin and focus on the

actual living portion where sun damage originates. The advantage to the doctor and

the patient is that this technology allows for much earlier detection of skin problems

before they develop into pre-cancers that are visible on the skins surface. After

finishing the treatment plan, the doctor should take another UV photo to verify the

treatment efficacy. UV photography also helps evaluate other skin conditions

including acne, oil balance, hydration, inflammation, growths, fungi, pH, and thin

skin due to reduced collagen which makes it an ideal tool to evaluate all problem

skin.

After the damage to the deeper layers of skin, superficial signs of sun damage may

eventually appear on the surface. The most common surface lesion is known as

actinic keratoses (AK). AKs usually appear as rough or scaly patches. They may also

flake, crust, and may temporarily disappear and then return.

An AK is most likely to appear on the face, ears, scalp, neck, backs of the hands and

forearms, shoulders, and lips - the parts of the body most often exposed to

sunshine. The scaly patch may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, or a combination of

these...or the same color as your skin.

It is estimated that 10-20% of untreated AKs will develop into squamous cell

cancers. If treated early, almost all AKs can be eliminated without becoming skin

cancers. If you have AKs, it indicates that you have sustained sun damage and have

a higher risk for developing all types of skin cancer - not just squamous cell

carcinoma.

The more keratoses a person has, the greater the chance that one or more may turn

into skin cancer. People may also have up to 10 times as many subclinical (invisible)

lesions as visible, surface lesions. These invisible lesions were undetectable until

the development of the UV camera.

Treatment options

The most common treatment options for AKs have traditionally involved topical

ointment 5-FU (Effudex), laser resurfacing, or chemical peels. To avoid the

prolonged recovery period and possible scarring associated with these techniques,

photodynamic therapy has been developed.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the treatment of choice for the invisible deeper sun

damage as well as the visible pre-cancerous AK lesions. PDT involves a two step

process that has been proven effective in clinical testing. This treatment cleared

100% of the AKs in 2/3 of the patients after one treatment.

The first step is the application of a topical solution called Levulan. Abnormal cells

have a much greater affinity for the solution and absorb it while the healthy cells do

not. The solution is left on for an incubation period lasting anywhere from 15

minutes to 18 hours.

The second step of PDT is to apply a concentrated light source to activate the

chemical reaction which destroys the abnormal cells. Since the solution is absorbed

only in the damaged cells, the healthy cells are not affected. This process can cause

a mild burning sensation during the treatment. Usually, this improves immediately

after treatment and ends within 24 hours.

Following the treatment, most patients experience mild swelling, redness, and a

peeling of the AK lesions and the surrounding tissue. Patients choosing a more

aggressive treatment will experience more peeling and/or crusting of the damaged

skin that resolves within in one or two weeks. The doctor can easily control the

severity of these reactions by limiting the incubation period and the amount of

exposure to the light source.

Patients not willing to experience a prolonged recovery time after the procedure

may choose a more mild treatment and return to work after a day or two. The

tradeoff is that they will require more treatments to achieve the same clinical

results.

In addition to eliminating AKs and the subsurface skin damage, PDT has also been

effective in improving the appearance of the skin by greatly reducing moderate to

severe acne (including cystic acne), reducing color splotches, lessening the fine

lines, and decreasing pore size.

Anyone who currently has, has had, or wants to prevent AKs or pre-cancerous skin

lesions should be evaluated and treated using UV photography and photodynamic

therapy (PDT)." Once a person has been successfully treated using this approach, it

is recommended they return for a yearly follow up to prevent future problems.

Prevention, Detection and Treatment of Individual Types of Skin Cancer

Types of skin cancer are named for the specific types of skin cells which mutate, due to UV exposure or natural decay, and begin to reproduce improperly and form cancerous tumors.

Different types of skin cells make up different layers of the skin. The most common cancers are formed in squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes, forming squamous or basal cell carcinoma, or melanoma. Squamous cells are the top layer of the epidermis, the round, flat cells which make up the surface of the skin. Underneath are basal cells which make up the rest of the epidermis, and between the dermis and epidermis are melanocytes, which are the cells which pigment the skin.

For purposes of treatment, skin cancer is separated into two main groups. These are melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and the most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancers are squamous and basal cell carcinoma. There are other, rarer forms of skin cancer as well, which fall under the nonmelanoma category.

For the most part, methods of prevention are the same for both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Overexposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor, and the sun should be avoided during its midday peak. Protective clothing, or failing that, sunscreen should be worn when out in the sun even under light cloud cover. Getting even one blistering sunburn is a risk factor for skin cancer. Tanning beds are a risk factor specifically for melanoma, even with minimal usage, so you should strictly abstain from their use. If you insist on getting a light tan, doing so under the sun is healthier because melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer can be slightly more difficult to detect, because it may present itself as a rash, wound, or lump that doesn't properly heal. These irregularities should be looked at by a doctor when detected, and you should regularly check your skin, including your scalp and hard to reach places, as skin cancer is usually painless. Most of the time, it appears on the face or in body parts exposed to sunlight.

Melanoma often appears as a mole-like growth, and existing moles can turn into melanoma. Moles, or nevi, are common benign growths which stem from melanocytes. If you have an unusually high number of nevi or multiple dysplastic nevi, or irregularly-shaped moles, you should take special care to check them for changes. A change in the size, color, shape, or surrounding skin of a mole can signify melanoma.

Both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer should be treated as soon as possible to avoid metastasis. Even in earlier stages of development, especially with melanoma, your doctor may need to remove nearby lymph nodes, as skin cancer tends to spread through the lymphatic system. In early stages, surgery can eliminate a skin tumor, although with melanoma sometimes enough surrounding tissue must be taken that a skin graft is necessary. If additional tumors form in other parts of the body due to metastasis, chemotherapy and additional surgeries may be necessary. This is a particularly serious situation if melanoma spreads.

Different types of skin cancer have a different appearance and slightly different treatments, but early detection is the key to effectively curing any skin cancer.

The Skinny on Cancerous Moles

Do you have skin moles and worry that they may become cancerous? The good news is that most skin moles are, and remain, benign. However, these skin growths do have the potential to become cancerous. If melanoma is discovered early, the chances of recovery are greater. But how can you tell the difference between a cancerous mole and a benign mole? Here are some tips to steer you in the right direction.

Melanoma accounts for less than 5% of all skin cancer instances. That being said, it also has the highest mortality rate of all skin cancers and can quickly spread to other parts of your body. Melanoma typically presents as a brown, red, or black spot that is irregularly shaped. Melanoma may appear on the lower leg, trunk area, soles of the feet, underneath the nails, or palm of the hands.

Identifying cancerous moles is simplified using the alphabet system, also called "ABCDE."

Asymmetry - Look for any mole asymmetry or irregularity.

Border - Is the lesion's border irregularly shaped?

Color - Has a mole or lesion changed colors recently? Have any new lesions appeared?

Diameter - It's generally accepted that moles should be LESS THAN six millimeters. Any moles larger than this should be examined by a doctor.

Elevation - You should keep an eye out for any changes in the height of the mole.

If you want to remove your skin moles using natural remedies, it's important to be sure that the moles are benign. Following the "ABCDE" principle is a great way to familiarize yourself with what is normal, so that you'll be able to identify any abnormal changes.

Sunscreen And UV Rays - How To Protect Yourself Against Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer is a common disease that is thought to develop when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays. Depending on the type of skin, this exposure can be limited and still lead to the development of some form of skin cancer. Fair skin that burns easily in the Sun is particularly vulnerable. As the Sun is the leading source of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation that people are regularly exposed to it is important to protect yourself when in the Sun. This article will list the common methods that can help prevent skin cancer. It will concentrate on Sunscreen and how it works to protect your skin.

Sunscreen is not the only thing that can be used to prevent skin cancer but should be viewed as a part of an overall strategy that limits your exposure to UV rays.

Avoid going out in the Sun when it is strongest. This means from around 11 in the morning through to 3 in the afternoon. Naturally, mid days is the worst time to be out in the Sun. Granted, this may not always be possible, especially if you work outdoors or leave the office for lunch. In this case take other precautions.

Wear protective clothing. Darker colored garments are better than lighter ones. Cover your arms with a long sleeve shirt. Cover your legs with long pants or socks.

Wear a hat with a wide brim. You could also use a sun umbrella if you don't like hats but a hat is the best method of protecting the scalp and face.

Wear a good pair of sunglasses, as skin cancer can also affect the eyes.

After you have done these things you should then consider wearing sunscreen. Cover the parts of your body that are not covered by clothing. Some advise to cover the arms and legs with sunscreen even if they are covered by clothing as you might roll up your sleeves and it doubles the protection.

Sunscreen comes in two forms. There is chemical sunscreens that absorb UV rays and physical sunscreens that reflect the UV rays (sometimes referred to as sun blocks).

A way to determine the effectiveness of a sunscreen is to look at it's Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The popular recommendation in this respect is to always go for an SPF of 30+. SPF pertains to the ability to protect the skin from UVB radiation that is thought to be the worst form of radiation for sun burn and skin cancer. However, it does not protect against UVA radiation, which researchers feel can be just as dangerous as UVB. Products that are known as Broad Spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

Sunscreens that act as a sunblock are best if you have to spend time out in the Sun. No doubt you have seen people wearing such creams on the nose or lips. It is almost like a paint that they have applied to the skin. This puts many people off using such creams but they are the best way to protect your skin from the Sun.

Sunblocks normally consist of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If you don't like the prospect of having a large white band across your nose then an alternative is to get ultra-micronized titanium or zinc sunscreens. They do the same job of reflecting the sunlight but do make you look like you have warpaint on.

Always reapply sunscreen every 2 hours regardless of if you are active or not. Go for a sunscreen that you like on the skin as this makes it more likely that you will continue to use and reapply it.

6 Breast Cancer Signs to Be Aware Of

Knowing the different breast cancer signs and symptoms can truly help save your life in the future. It is essential you understand everything that can be a signal for breast cancer so you can get treatment as soon as possible. Here are six breast cancer symptoms to be aware of.

1. Lump

Although most lumps found in breasts are not cancerous, this is the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women. A lump or thickening in the breast is a clear indication that you should get a physical exam to make sure everything is ok. Often times the lump is painless, but it may be tender or sore from time to time.

2. Discharge from the nipple

You may experience a spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple. This is often times associated with a breast lump. While this does not mean you definitely have breast cancer, it is certainly a symptom you do not want to take lightly.

3. Change in size of your breast

This is where it becomes essential you are familiar and aware of your body. It can be difficult to notice a slight change in the size or contour of your breast, but this is a clear breast cancer sign to pay attention to. In some cases, the change in size may be much more obvious.

4. Indentation of your nipple

If you notice a retraction or indentation of your nipple, this is not something that typically occurs. You want to keep an eye on it and if it worsens, get into a doctor for a physical exam.

5. Indentation of skin over the breast

In addition to indentation of your nipple, you also want to keep an eye on the skin that is around the breast. A symptom of breast cancer is if you notice an indentation or flattening of the skin over your breast.

6. Redness of skin over the breast

The last sign you want to pay close attention to is any redness or pitting of the skin over the breast. Many times it looks almost like the skin of an orange in shape and texture.

Nodular Melanoma - A Cancer That Creeps From the Sun

People all throughout the entire world are not particularly aware of the dangers of skin cancer or much known as Nodular Melanoma. Knowledge upon this particular disease has not been as high as other cancers are, and the final phase of melanoma is more often left undiagnosed at any possible stage due to lack of knowledge.

The most serious type of skin cancer could lead one to fatality is Nodular melanoma. This is around 35% of all thick melanoma cases combined. The general form of melanoma is more often diagnosed in its initial phase or most often called as thin melanoma. The big differences of thick and thin melanoma are easy to distinguish. Thick melanoma is the types of tumors that penetrates and grow deeper into the person's skin while a thin melanoma spreads just over the top of the skin's surface.

Nodular melanoma is the type of cancer that is invasive. This cancer form can normally be seen on the arms, legs or torso's of a person aged 60 and above. The scalp of someone with nodular melanoma can be affected in any age group. This malignant tumor can be seen as a bump-like feature in the skin. Most of the time, it would be seen as blue, white, brown, grey or tan in tone.

This type of skin cancer is less detected than any other sub types of skin cancer. It only accounts for 15% of the total number of all melanoma cases all around the world. This disease attacks people who are at the later years of their life for it is more commonly found in people aged 50 and above. Nodular melanoma looks like a blue-red or blue-black or an amelanotic nodule in the body. Skin cancer survival rates to any of these accounts to at least 98% chance of survival.

The five - year skin cancer survival rate of someone with nodular melanoma is 91%. When the malignant tumor has reached its next phase, it drops down to 60% and 16% in the later stage. Like any type of cancer there are things you could do to reduce the risk of having skin cancer. One must avoid the sun rays from 10am to 4pm if possible. If one could not stop from basking into the sun on those times, he or she must put on sunscreen or a hat to protect themselves from the harmful sun rays during these times.

Symptoms and Treatment For Actinic Keratosis - Solar Keratosis

How does Actinic Keratosis cause?

They are the common most premalignant lesions. People with fair skin and those who in sun exposure have an increased risk to develop Actinic Keratosis. People with darker skin may also experience this problem if they expose heavily in sun.

Symptoms and Preventions of Solar Keratosis

Your skin may appear rough and dry textured. Skin may discover small spots or patches. The acne may be red-brown in colour and plaques with dry scales. Prefer an effective acne treatment to eradicate the actinic keratosis. You can prevent the "AK" by protecting skin for ultraviolet rays. Sun protection is important for the working people. Use a broad skin spectrum or a best Acne Product. Wear protecting clothing like long-sleeved shirts, hat or long skirt / pants.

Depending on how serious the acne scars the Dermatologist may suggest a micordermabrasion to improve the surface of affected areas. These treatments can even be done in your office. Another method of treating scars is dermabrasion, a rotating wire brush and a spinning diamond instrument is used to wear down the skin. A new smoother layer forms as the skin heals, this process may take quiet a long time normally between 10 days to 3 weeks. This is caused if your skin is exposed to intense and frequently exposure of ultraviolet (UV) rays. The size of this acne range from small pinhead to an inch across. healthy skin is more about than just looking good as our skin is the reflection of our healthy body. Before having all these acne treatments a person's acne needs to be under control.