Most melanomas would not be detected without a dermatologist’s total body skin examination, according to a study presented at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) 34th Annual Meeting.
To us, this study is not a surprise at all - and that is why we encourage ALL of our patients to have a complete skin exam at least every year. Finding a potential problem early is the best thing that you can do!
Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is much deadlier when it appears on the scalp or neck than somewhere else on the body, according to a study published Monday in the Archives of Dermatology.
People with scalp or neck melanomas died at nearly twice the rate of those with melanoma elsewhere on the body, the researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported in the Archives of Dermatology. People with melanomas on the arms, legs, face or ears had the best prognosis, they said.
They analyzed data on 51,704 people with melanoma in the United States from 1992 to 2003 and found survival rates varied depending on where on the body it first appeared.
We recomend that everyone get a full body skin check once a year, and conduct a self skin exam once a month. To help you with your self-exam we have put together the following resources:
Skin cancer refers to the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Risk factors include fair skin, family history of skin cancer and past sun exposure. Fortunately, skin cancer is almost always curable if detected and treated early. If you would like some tips on how to do a complete skin exam on your own, look here.
The most common skin cancers are:
So reads the headline published in the LONDON (Reuters) in an article by Michael Kahn, discussing a publication by Johan Moan in PNAS, titled “Addressing the health benefits and risks, involving vitamin D or skin cancer, of increased sun exposure” Abstract Free Full Text
This is an eye catching headline, and thought provoking paper - but both are somewhat misleading. In this paper, Johan Moan and colleagues have suggested a slight relationship between the prognosis of some cancers and latitude. That is to say, for some times of cancer, you might be expected to live a little longer if you reside closer to the equator.
The researchers take this discovery and run with ideas and possible explanations. They suggest that patients closer to the equator get more sun, and the sun is responsible for making Vitamin D in the skin. They further suggest that low levels of Vitamin D may put you at risk for not doing as well with some types of cancer.
What is notable here are several things that the researchers have not demonstrated. For example, the researchers have not shown that there is a difference in the level of Vitamin D at different latitudes. Certainly one would expect that if exposed to more sunlight, an individual will produce more Vitamin D. However, Vitamin D also is introduced into our body by the things we eat. Vitamin D is readily supplemented in milk, yogurt, margarine, oil spreads, breakfast cereal, pastries, and bread. It is naturally found in fish, fish oils, mushrooms, and eggs. Several previous studies have looked at Vitamin D levels in different countries, and it is not generally believed by scientists that there is any difference in Vitamin D levels at different latitudes.
Of note, the researchers also present data in their paper that suggests that there is a higher likelihood of developing colon, lung, prostate, and of course melanoma in patients living closer to the equator. This finding was not made much mention of in either the original article, nor the newspaper coverage.
In summary, Vitamin D is an interesting compound that we need to learn more about… but this paper falls far short of the headline it was given “More sun is healthy.” For now, we suggest you stick to your sunblock and hats!
The Answer: Maybe
A study published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that an extract from three-day-old broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane, rubbed on skin produces significant long-lasting protection against the burns caused by ultraviolet radiation. The extract may work by provoking an increase in a protective enzyme produced by the skin cells. This reaction requires days to develop, but it continues to work after the substance is washed off.
Though it is too soon to start rubbing broccoli sprouts on our skin before a venture to the beach, we are excited to see further research on the topic. In addition, it is interesting to consider what other human organs might be protected by this or similar compounds.
When you do your full body self skin exam, it is important to know what to look for. The bottom line is that anything that you are unsure of should be examined closely by a physician. If it has grown, changed color, was bleeding, itchy, or you (or a friend/family member) just don’t have a good feeling about it - get it checked out!!
To help you get an idea of some of the things that a physician is looking for, we have provided this interactive animation. Please keep in mind, that these are only some of the things we are looking for - and we strongly recommend to all of our patients a full body skin exam at least once per year with a physician, and more often if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer.
You know your body best… and that is why everyone should conduct a monthly skin cancer self exam. Understanding the proper way to examine your body is important to spotting the signs of skin cancer early. This video and animation tool provides an interactive guide to the skin cancer self-exam.
Here is a video, images, descriptions and self-exam tips that will walk you through the process. Use this as a guide to your monthly skin cancer self-exam. In our next post, we will review the ABC’s - the important things to look out for when you do your skin cancer self-exam.
This past week, a patient visited my office because their hairdresser found a spot on their ear that they were worried about. Bravo! Recognizing a skin cancer on the ear, scalp, or anywhere else is an opportunity to save a life.
To help improve the awareness of skin cancer, we have been and will continue to distribute to local salons the ABC’s of Skin Cancer, which was put together for us by a talented medical student at SUNY Downstate, Lori Ellis.
The rates of skin cancer are on the rise, and both primary care doctors and dermatologists are taking note. One in five Americans will develop a skin cancer, and every hour someone is dying of a melanoma. These are alarming statistics, and were the topic of conversation at Huntington Hospital after Dr. Jeffrey Ellis presented a dermatologists perspective on the identification, and management of skin cancer.
“It is well know that the biggest risk of skin cancer,” said Ellis “is overexposure to UV rays from the sun. Most of us will try to protect ourselves if we go to the beach, but few realize how much little bits of sun exposure add up. In fact one week worth of casual sun exposure, like going to the car or supermarket, is equivalent to a solid hour at the beach!” Ellis emphasizes the importance of wearing a broad brimmed hat and broad spectrum sunscreen daily. He recommends to his patients that sunscreen use become part of the morning ritual, which should be applied just after you brush your teeth.
UV rays from the sun or tanning beds do not only increase the risk of skin cancer, but it also makes us look older. The UV rays are responsible for loss of tissue elasticity and the development of wrinkles and age spots. Dr. Ellis offers this advice; “It doesn’t matter if your goal is to look younger, or to avoid skin cancer. Protect yourself from UV rays, and you will be better off.”
