Posts Tagged ‘melanoma’

Still Tanning Despite the Risks? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Excessive sun exposure and tanning bed use increases the risk of getting melanoma, basal cell cancer and other non-melanoma cancers. We have several patients who, despite having been treated for serious skin cancer, continue to tan. Why? Well, it turns out that they may suffer from a tanning addiction. They suffer uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms when they try to stop. Many repeat tanners exhibit addictive behaviors similar to those exhibited by people addicted to substances such as meth and alcohol. In a recent study (Arch Dermatol 2010 Apr;146:412) 70% of study participants who visited tanning parlors met criteria for addiction to indoor tanning. Study participants who met criteria for addiction also had greater anxiety and greater alcohol and marijuana use. Tanning addiction seems to involve the same drives as other forms of substance related disorders. Of course , it is important to distinguish addicted from non-addicted tanners. It is hoped that lessons learned from treating other addictions can be translated into concrete interventions to reduce risky tanning behavior.

Do Sunscreens Cause Cancer? Are they safe? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The latest question on patients’ minds this summer is the safety of sunscreen. A few websites have posted articles scaring people into questioning whether or not they should use sunscreen. The bottom line is that sunscreens protect us from skin cancer and here’s why:

What do we know?

Numerous studies have looked at this issue, and none have confirmed any link between sunscreens and skin cancer. Some researchers have speculated that since sunscreens allow users to stay out in the sun longer they may increase the risk of skin cancer. There have also been worries about physical sunblocks zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (micronized). The worry is that these may pose a danger if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. A large National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study found minimal skin absorption of titanium nanoparticles and this has been confirmed by other studies. It is possible that inhaled nanoparticles may be risky. So if you use a spray sunscreen keep it away from your face (spray on your hand and rub in) or hold your breath when you spray.

We do know that the sunscreens help prevent skin growths called actinic keratoses. These are rough scaly patches that can develop into squamous cell cancer. There is less evidence that sunscreens protect against melanoma and basal cell cancer. This may be because these two cancers are strongly linked to sunburn. Your risk of melanoma doubles if you have had five or more sunburns at any age or from just one blistering sunburn before the age of 20. Basal cell cancer seems also to be linked to the amount of freckling and number of burns. In other words excessive sun exposure definitely causes cancer!!

Given that we know the sun can cause cancer and the evidence is nonexistent that sunscreens cause cancer common sense should prevail. Use sunscreen!

Are sunscreens safe for the environment?

Unfortunately sunscreens are bad for the ocean environment! They come off in the water and settle down to the coral reefs blocking vital UV radiation. What can you do? I am a huge proponent of light weight wetsuits and UV protective rash guards used for surfing. I always wear one when I snorkel or windsurf. It is easier to put one of these on your kids and yourself than to deal with suncreening your whole body and reapplication after swimming. They come in cute colors and styles and are widely available. You can bolster their UV blocking abilities by washing with SunGuard or a similar product. They claim they are effective up to 20 washing cycles or swimming dips! Apply your sunscreen to your face and hands and cover up the rest with UV protective clothing!! You save your skin and the ocean!

Tanning - A New Addiction: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

There is no question that exposure to high levels of ultraviolet rays cause skin cancer, not to mention premature aging and pigmentation issues of the skin. Despite this fact, however, tanning salons and outdoor sun tanning still remain popular, especially among young adults. So what keeps people returning to those booths and baking on their beach towels when they know the indisputable risks?

Well, Mosher and Danoff-Burg propose that habitual indoor tanning may, in some cases, be best characterized as an addiction with behavioral and physiologic dependency. Roughly one third of the college students who took screening tests (one that is commonly used to screen for alcoholism and a tanning-specific substance related disorder test) met criteria for addiction to ultraviolet tanning. This subgroup also showed a greater tendency for substance abuse and anxiety, suggesting that habitual tanning may be a predictor of other addictive behaviors, such as alcoholism and cigarette smoking.

Looking at tanning with this mindset and identifying patients who show signs of addiction toward tanning will hopefully give the medical community a new way to approach this topic with their patients and help them avoid this risky behavior before they encounter potentially life threatening conditions like melanoma.

If it is simply the “tan look” that people seek, tanning alternatives continue to improve and are a great way to get a glow without any risk. Our staff and patients are currently loving the products by TanTowel. The self-tanning towelettes are easy to use, with a simple swipe on action. Streaks and discolorations are easily avoidable with the towelette. They also have a great self-tanning soap that is used conveniently in the shower to supplement your towelettes or to achieve a more gradual glow. The towelettes and soap along with their self-tanning lotion give the most natural looking color that I have found among sunless tanning products. Check with our office today for more information on the Tan Towel products and to give yourself a summer glow without the harmful UV rays!

Melanoma on the Rise! Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

US melanoma incidence increasing 2.4% annually.

As highlighted in Dermatology Daily, MedPage Today (12/21, Walsh) reported that, according to an analysis published in the Dec. issue of the Archives of Dermatology, “melanoma incidence nationwide has been increasing at a rate of 2.4% per year, with certain groups having distinctly higher rates of annual increase.” After analyzing data on “41,072 cases of melanoma,” researchers found that “the highest rates of advanced melanoma…were seen in blacks,” while “Hispanics had a higher proportion of advanced melanomas than whites.” An accompanying editorial noted that the study “adds melanoma to the list of documented health disparities in ethnic minority populations.”

I believe this rate increase of melanoma among minorities reflects the misheld belief that those with non-Caucasian or darker skin types have “natural” protection from the negative effects of the sun. In fact people of all skin types must practice sun safety and have any changes to their skin, including “funny” moles, spots or anything on their body that newly catches their attention, checked out by their doctor immediately. Remember that Bob Marley died prematurely at age 36 from melanoma, which with an earlier diagnosis and treatment could have been prevented!

Know a Man Over 40?

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Is there a man over age 40 in your life? If so, encourage him to visit his dermatologist for a skin check! Two studies highlighted in Reuters magazine drive home the point that men over 40 have a higher propensity toward melanoma skin cancer. In fact, they account for half of all the melanoma related deaths in the United States. Seeing a suspicious spot or mole can be difficult if its on your back, which is the most common area for melanoma to occur in men. A dermatologist’s expert eyes can help detect and treat any potential skin cancer issues before they turn into life-threatening problems. While this demographic tends to visit a dermatologist less often, they are actually most important due to their higher risk. So wives, partners, girlfriends, boyfriends, sisters - tell the men you care about to get checked and get educated about their skin to stay healthy - they’ll thank you for it!

Tanning - Getting More Than You Bargained For

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Patients might accuse me and other dermatologists of sounding like broken records when it comes to the subject of tanning. We can’t help but be passionate about this particular issue. In my work, I am constantly faced with removing pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions from patients. These lesions, caused by UVA and UVB ray exposure, could potentially be life threatening and/or lead to surgery for removal. It is particularly disturbing that the age range of patients showing up with these issues is getting younger. So, you can understand a dermatologist’s perspective when they see women and men purposely trying to get a tan and needlessly exposing themselves to this risk.

There is no “safe” way to tan. Tanning beds are no exception! In fact, the rays in tanning beds can often be more intense than the sun itself. According to an AP article, melanoma (the deadliest type of skin caner) is now the top cancer afflicting women in their 20s in the UK, overtaking cervical cancer. They attribute this increase in young women (typically not the group where melanoma is so common) as a result of tanning bed use. In the United States, Florida lawmakers are considering a ban on tanning salon use for those under 16 years old. Miss Florida Teen, Kayla Collier, recently testified before a Florida state house committee supporting the proposal. She was diagnosed with a melanoma at age 16.

The possibility of skin cancer aside, tanning leads to accelerated aging of the skin. We know that exposure to UVA rays also cause more wrinkles, brown spots and breakdown of collagen. As the summer approaches and people seek dark, bronzed skin, consider alternatives like spray tans or lotions to keep your skin healthy. Avoid tanning and wear your sunblock!

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