Skin Cancer Experts Share Preventative Tips at Recent Dermatology Nurses Association Conference is a post from: Skin Cancer Information

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Skin Cancer Experts Share Preventative Tips at Recent Dermatology Nurses Association Conference

DATELINE: COHASSET AND PLYMOUTH, MASS…

The duo shared their expert knowledge of sun safety and melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) prevention with more than 100 DNA members at the DNA’s 27th Annual Convention held in San Francisco on March 6th.

They discussed how skin cancer is most commonly caused by overexposure to sunlight, or artificial UV radiation and recommended that everyone follow SunAWARE, an acronym coined by Mary and John Barrow, authors of Sun Protection for Life: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy and Beautiful Skin. SunAWARE stands for:

Avoid unprotected UV exposure any time and seek shade

Wear sun protective clothing including hats and sunglasses

Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen prior to UV exposure and reapply every two hours

Routinely check your whole body for changes in your skin and report suspicious changes to a health care practitioner.

Educate your family and community about sun protection.

Dr. Eisen taught that anyone can develop melanoma anywhere on their body and that new and changing moles should be evaluated. He also shared five tips on how to identify potentially dangerous moles or melanomas:

Moles that are asymmetric, where one side of the mole does not match the other.

Moles that have edges that are irregular, ragged or blurred.

A mole that has more than one color, with shades of black, brown, red, white, blue or tan.

Moles that are larger than a pencil eraser.

Moles that bleed, itch or change in appearance.

“Certain types of moles have a higher risk of becoming malignant melanomas. Melanoma can be deadly because it can spread to other parts of the body. But, it may be cured in its early stages. It’s very important to take preventative measures such as those outlined in SunAWARE and to watch for changes in the skin and follow up on questionable or changing moles with a dermatologist as soon as possible,” explained Dr. Eisen.

Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation

The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, located in Hingham, Mass., delivers a comprehensive sun safety and melanoma awareness program, free of charge, to school children in Massachusetts. Led by Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, RN, MSN, the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation’s “SunAWARE” program is delivered to children in elementary and secondary schools and teaches both skin cancer prevention and early detection. The foundation has won the 2009 American Academy of Dermatology Gold Triangle Award for their two new children’s books, Pretty Prom and Lake Vacation.  For more information, contact 781-875-1SPF (1773) or visit www.melanomaprevention.org.

Dermatology Nurses’ Association

The Dermatology Nurses’ Association is a professional nursing organization with the mission of promoting excellence in dermatologic care. To learn more about the DNA, visit the website at DNANurse.org.

South Shore Skin Center

Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and 45 Resnik Road, Suite 102 in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711. For more information, visit their website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

by sirwiseowl

What is Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma Skin Cancer?

A squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer is a type of skin cancer that usually results from a long term sun damage or exposure to ultra-violet rays to the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer spreads gradually and also has the capacity to spread to tissues near the affected area such as the eye. The cancer can also spread to distant parts of the body in case, it is not treated on time.

The best and the only way to make sure if a skin growth is cancerous is to go for a biopsy. The process involves removal of a small section of the skin. Thereafter a pathologist analyzes it under the microscope in a medical laboratory.

Remember that a biopsy is not a process to remove cancer. It just works towards taking off the tip of the cancer.

In some cases the skin tends to heal once the biopsy is done as it grows over the cancer. However, this does not indicate that the cancer is removed completely. Here, the cancer is only covered with a blanket of skin. In case, the cancer is not removed fully, it can get deeper in to the skin and even metastasize to the internal organs of the body resulting in death of a human being.

Squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer is known to be one of the most common forms of skin cancer. It is shocking but true that over 25,000 new cases have been reported in a year in the United States alone. The cancer originates from the squamous cells that are most of the portion of the upper layer of the skin.

All cases of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer are not serious. If detected early and treated promptly, one can easily survive this disease. However, if not treated properly, the disease can prove to be very hard to treat and can even result in disfigurement.

There are several causes of the origination of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer. Some of these include the following:

i) Frequent and long exposure to harmful sun rays. This result in severe skin damage and ultimately develop in to squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.

ii) The damage to the skin done by sun is the most responsible factor for development of this type of cancer. The face is most exposed to sun and the cancer spreads to the other parts of the body.

iii) Light skinned people have greater risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.

iv) People who have already developed this cancer are said to develop more.

Chronic exposure to the sun is the main cause of this type of cancer. The tumor invades to body parts such as face, neck, bald scalp, hands, shoulders, arms and back that are more exposed to sun. The lower lip and the rim of the ear are more vulnerable to these cancers.

Squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer may also develop due to certain types of injury such as scars, burns, long existing sores, sites exposed to X-rays or some harmful chemicals, such as arsenic of by-products of petroleum. Reduced immunity is also one of the main reasons for the spread of this type of cancer. Detect and treat early to stay away from possible damage and full recovery.

by State Library of New South Wales collection

Doctors at South Shore Skin Center to Provide Free Skin Cancer Screenings at Area Hospitals

DATELINE:  COHASSET AND PLYMOUTH, MASS…

On Thursday, May 7th from 5 to 7 p.m., Dr. Ramzi Saad, Dr. Richard Eisen and Dr. Katherine Ayers of South Shore Skin Center will provide skin cancer screenings at South Shore Hospital, 55 Fogg Road (Route 18) in South Weymouth. The screenings are free, but appointments are required. Contact South Shore Hospital at (781) 340-8239 to make an appointment or for more information.

On Tuesday, May 19th from 6 to 8 p.m., Dr. Ramzi Saad, Dr. Richard Eisen, Dr. William Stocker and Dr. Katherine Ayers of South Shore Skin Center will provide free skin cancer screenings at Jordan Hospital, 275 Sandwich Street in Plymouth. Call Jordan Hospital at

(508) 746-2000 to make an appointment.

“Last summer it was reported that some of the wealthiest communities on the South Shore have the highest skin cancer rates, in some cases more than double the number expected,” explained Dr. Ramzi Saad. “Malignant melanoma (skin cancer) can spread to other parts of the body, but it often may be cured in its early stages. Early detection is key.”

South Shore Skin Center advises folks to take these preventative measures:

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and other UVA/UVB sources, such as tanning beds.

Use ample amounts of sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even if it is cloudy.

Wear large framed or wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eye area.

Have your skin checked by a dermatologist regularly.

Note any moles or other spots on the skin that have changed. Have them checked as soon as possible.

South Shore Skin Center

Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services. 

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more.  The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels. 

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and 45 Resnik Road, Suite 102 in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711.  For more information, visit their website at www.SouthShoreSkinCenter.com.

by Jacek.NL

Sun – Skin Care

Since sunlight is a large part of our lives, many people tend to forget about the sun’s harmful effects on skin. While sun is a great source of warmth and happiness, it can also have negative impact on our lives — especially when it comes to beauty and aging.

Sunlight can be responsible for premature aging, skin cancer, and many other skin defects. Almost 90% of symptoms associated with premature skin aging are attributed to the ultraviolet lights (UVA or UVB) that come from the sun. These lights speed up the aging process by breaking down elastin and collagen in the skin.

Most other changes in the skin (that were once attributed to aging) have now been linked to extended exposure of UV radiation. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation has a profoundly negative effect on a person’s beauty, due to the adverse effects on the skin.

UVA rays penetrate well into the skin while damaging collagen – a protein responsible for holding the skin together in a firm and smooth manner. The broken down collagen structure manifests as wrinkles – the most common symptom of aging. To make matters worse, the broken structure of collagen is incapable or re-building itself, which is why loss of collagen is a huge threat to beauty and skin care.

Overexposure to the sun can also result in freckles and sunspots, which are often found on various body parts such as face, legs, hands, etc. Freckles and sunspots generally develop upon the skin of those that sunbathe regularly.

Interestingly, suntans (which are often considered a sign beauty and health) are also the result of skin damage caused by exposure to sun. Suntans are caused by the production of melanin (the dark pigment responsible for a tanned appearance) that can only increase with exposure to the sun. In short, tanned skin is burned skin.

Sunburns are, yet another, result of the negative impact of sun on your skin. Sunburns happen when UV rays penetrate deep inside the layers of the skin killing the living cells. The body responds to this damage by increasing the blood flow in the affected area, so that the white blood cells can remove the dead cells — this abnormal blood flow results in the skin becoming warm and red causing sunburn. Scientists have also gathered substantial evidence that links sunburns to DNA damage. Additionally, recurring sunburns significantly increase chances of skin cancer development.

Although nobody can escape from the negative impact of the sun, it is important to protect your skin. Using quality health and beauty products (http://www.collagenelife.com/page_1167323224312.html) that are made from natural ingredients is a good way to keep your skin safe. These basic skin protection rules will keep your skin safe from the sun…and you will also be able to avoid pre-mature aging.

Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 (or more) to all parts of your body (especially your face) before you head out into the sunshine. Applying moisturizer after enjoying the sun can also be beneficial. Lastly, it’s important to keep a close eye on your skin. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, make sure to visit with your dermatologist.

by pallotron

Breast Cancer Information

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of female and male breast tissue. Breast cancer is more common in women, but men do get breast cancer as well.

Usually, the first sign of breast cancer is a lump in the breast. Everyone, especially women are advised to regularly check their breasts for lumps and bumps to catch it early if they are unfortunate enough to get breast cancer. Finding a lump in the breast is usually the first thing women do before they go for a check with the doctor.

After a lump has been discovered, a doctor/physician will do a routine mammogram and will then be able to confirm whether or not it is in fact breast cancer. Lumps are not always fund in the breast, they can also be found in what is known as the lymph nodes that can be found in the collarbone or the armpits.

There are other ways to look out for breast cancer other than looking for a lump. Keeping an eye out on changes in the breast shape or size can also be an indication in some cases. Some women have had skin dimpling, nipple discharge and nipple inversion as signs of breast cancer.

Whether you end up getting breast cancer later in life can be determined or factored by certain hereditary and environmental factors. Here are some of the factors that may determine who may get breast cancer over other people:

* Genetic mutations such as high level exposure of estrogens.

* Inherited DNA defects

While these can show us some pattern towards those that get breast cancer, it certainly doesn’t rule out every woman in the world. The age, sex, hormones, alcohol habit, smoking habit, obesity, high fat diets, radiation and other factors may make you more at risk of breast cancer.

Mammography checks have now become a routine procedure in many countries as this is simply the easiest and the quickest way to determine whether or not a woman has breast cancer.

It is usually around the age of 40 or 50 when women are invited to have regular screening appointments. Some women still choose not to go, even though these screenings save lives and reduce the risk of not surviving breast cancer. The earlier that breast cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat.

Breast cancer is a big fear throughout every woman’s life. Support will always be necessary if you find out you have breast cancer. There are many fantastic support groups usually set up by women who are suffering or who have already been through it and won. These support groups are vital for breast cancer information and to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

It is important to understand what is going to happen to you if you do have breast cancer. You can find this out from your doctor, but there is nothing better than hearing it from someone who has or is going through it themselves.

by Jacek.NL

The Sun’S Impact On Your Skin

Since sunlight is a large part of our lives, many people tend to forget about the sun’s harmful effects on skin. While sun is a great source of warmth and happiness, it can also have negative impact on our lives — especially when it comes to beauty and aging.

Sunlight can be responsible for premature aging, skin cancer, and many other skin defects. Almost 90% of symptoms associated with premature skin aging are attributed to the ultraviolet lights (UVA or UVB) that come from the sun. These lights speed up the aging process by breaking down elastin and collagen in the skin.

Most other changes in the skin (that were once attributed to aging) have now been linked to extended exposure of UV radiation. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation has a profoundly negative effect on a person’s beauty, due to the adverse effects on the skin.

UVA rays penetrate well into the skin while damaging collagen – a protein responsible for holding the skin together in a firm and smooth manner. The broken down collagen structure manifests as wrinkles – the most common symptom of aging. To make matters worse, the broken structure of collagen is incapable or re-building itself, which is why loss of collagen is a huge threat to beauty and skin care.

Overexposure to the sun can also result in freckles and sunspots, which are often found on various body parts such as face, legs, hands, etc. Freckles and sunspots generally develop upon the skin of those that sunbathe regularly.

Interestingly, suntans (which are often considered a sign beauty and health) are also the result of skin damage caused by exposure to sun. Suntans are caused by the production of melanin (the dark pigment responsible for a tanned appearance) that can only increase with exposure to the sun. In short, tanned skin is burned skin.

Sunburns are, yet another, result of the negative impact of sun on your skin. Sunburns happen when UV rays penetrate deep inside the layers of the skin killing the living cells. The body responds to this damage by increasing the blood flow in the affected area, so that the white blood cells can remove the dead cells — this abnormal blood flow results in the skin becoming warm and red causing sunburn. Scientists have also gathered substantial evidence that links sunburns to DNA damage. Additionally, recurring sunburns significantly increase chances of skin cancer development.

Although nobody can escape from the negative impact of the sun, it is important to protect your skin. Using quality health and beauty products that are made from natural ingredients is a good way to keep your skin safe. These basic skin protection rules will keep your skin safe from the sun…and you will also be able to avoid pre-mature aging.

Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 (or more) to all parts of your body (especially your face) before you head out into the sunshine. Applying moisturizer after enjoying the sun can also be beneficial. Lastly, it’s important to keep a close eye on your skin. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, make sure to visit with your dermatologist.

Cancer Information: Preparing for the Worst

According to the 2007 report of the World Health Organization, the next thirty years will witness a significant global rise, in the number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases, especially cancer. This prediction is mainly due to the ageing of the population of the world.

However, even without that bit of news, we are aware of cancer being a major killer. But we do know that a cancer, when detected in its earliest stages, is generally curable. Hence, it is advisable to make sure that we are privy to various kinds of cancer information.

To begin with, it helps if you know about the different common types of cancer. Among the most common are bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.

Leukemia is another common type, where the cancer forms in the tissues where blood is formed, such as in the bone marrow. This then leads to the production of a large number of blood cells, and these large numbers of blood cells then enter the blood stream.

If you have a suspicious looking mole, you really should have it checked, as you do not want to risk it’s being cancerous. It may be nothing, but you really should not sit on it worrying that it might be melanoma. The word “melanoma” comes from “melanocytes”. Melanocytes are the cells in which melanin pigment is formed. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in these cells.

NHL (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) is yet another common form of cancer. This refers to a the growth of a large group of cancers that affect the immunity system. The symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are those of fever and weight loss, a sure sign that the immunity system has been affected. This is a cancer that can affect any age group, and its treatment is completely dependent on the stage of detection of the cancer.

Of course, these are only a few of the many kinds of cancers that afflict people all over the world. There are cancers that can be easily treated, and those that cannot. On the Internet, there are various sites that are devoted to providing cancer information. So you have the official sites, websites created by cancer specialists, and sites created and maintained by people who have either battled cancer or know people who have.

So, at least if you are looking for basic information, there are a large number of authoritative websites that provide cancer information. Prepare yourself with all the cancer information that you can, so that you will be better placed to deal with the countless problems that a cancer brings in its wake.

by pmarkham

Detailed Information on Melanoma

Melanoma is the most risky type of skin cancer. Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes which are found predominantly in skin but also in the bowel and the eye. It is due to wild growth of pigment cells, called melanocytes. Melanin also protects the deeper layers of the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV). Melanoma is most common in white skinned individuals, but it may rarely develop in those with dark skin as well. About one in fifteen white skinned New Zealanders are expected to develop melanoma in their lifetime. Melanoma can occur in adults of any age but is very rare in children.

Melanoma can also include the colored area of the eye. Malignant melanoma accounts for 75 percent of all deaths linked with skin cancer. There are four main types of melanoma. Superficial spreading melanoma is the most frequent type of melanoma. It is usually flat and irregular in shape and color, with varying shades of black and brown. Nodular melanoma usually starts as a raised area that is dark blackish-blue or bluish-red, although some are without color. Lentigo maligna melanoma usually occurs in the elderly. It is most common in sun-damaged skin on the face, neck, and arms.

Acral lentiginous melanoma is the least common form of melanoma. It generally occurs on the palms, soles, or under the nails and is more familiar in African Americans. Melanoma can extend very quickly. Melanoma may show on normal skin, or it may begin at a mole or other area that has changed in appearance. Some moles present at birth may develop into melanomas. The development of melanoma is related to sun exposure, particularly to sunburns during childhood, and is most common among people with fair skin, blue or green eyes, and red or blond hair. Melanomas are removed surgically.

The level of surgery depends on the thickness of the melanoma and its site. Most thin melanomas do not require widespread surgery. They are generally removed using a local anaesthetic, and the fault stitched up. A small area of normal skin around the melanoma is also excised to make sure that all the melanoma cells have been removed. Radiation therapy is frequently used after surgical resection for patients with locally or regionally advanced melanoma. High risk melanomas may require adjuvant treatment. Various chemotherapy agents are used, including dacarbazine; immunotherapies as well as local perfusion are used.

More Malignant Melanoma Articles

by bloody marty mix

Shore Skin Center Presentation Educates 550 Notre Dame Students About Skin Cancer ? the #1 Cancer in Young Females

The pair’s mission is to raise greater awareness of the deadly form of skin cancer melanoma and educate young people on how to protect themselves from the damaging effects of UVA/UVB rays.

Melanoma is the number one cancer diagnosed in young white females in the U.S. and the fourth most common cancer among teens. Early detection is the ONLY way to prevent it from becoming deadly. The New England area has the highest concentration of melanoma cases, partially due to weather patterns of intermittent, intense sunlight which increases residents’ risk.

“One of the best ways to reach young people and educate them is by offering melanoma education programs through the schools. We can reduce melanoma incidence by teaching skin cancer prevention and early detection. Anyone can develop skin cancer. Yet, it is easily recognizable and preventable. By educating young people and their caretakers (parents, nurses and teachers), we can save lives,” explained Maguire-Eisen.

“We also want to create an awareness of the dangers of tanning beds,” explained Dr. Eisen, who is the founder of South Shore Skin Center, one of Massachusetts’ most innovative dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic in their Cohasset and Plymouth offices. “Females in particular, are jeopardizing their health by frequenting tanning salons. Tanning beds are very popular with females age 16 to 25, as well as with those who use tanning beds before going on vacation. Contrary to popular belief, ‘pre-tanning’ in an effort to build a resistance to sunburn really only offers an SPF of 2 to 4, which is too low to be considered protection.”

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), tanning booth exposure can cause cataracts and eye damage, premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. The AAD also concurs that women who use tanning beds more than once a month increase their risk of skin cancer by 55 percent.

“It’s imperative that we pass this important, life saving information on to students and their parents. Now, more than ever, people must take precautions when in the sun and avoid tanning booths altogether,” noted Dr. Eisen.

To learn more or to arrange comprehensive sun safety and melanoma awareness program, free of charge, contact Maryellen Maguire-Eisen at 781-875-1SPF (1773) or visit www.melanomaprevention.org.

About the Children’s Melanoma Preventaion Foundation

The Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation, located in Hingham, Mass., delivers a comprehensive sun safety and melanoma awareness program, free of charge, to school children in Massachusetts. The foundation’s “Learn Not 2 Burn” is delivered primarily to children in elementary schools and teaches both skin cancer prevention and early detection. For more information, contact 781-875-1SPF (1773) or visit www.melanomaprevention.org.

South Shore Skin Center

Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.

Cosmetic services include Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more. South Shore Skin Center offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and 45 Resnik Road, Suite 102 in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711. For more information, visit their website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

Find More Skin Cancer Information Articles

How to Make your Suntanning Event More Pleasurable

For many of us the words suntanning means spending some time out in our garden soaking up the sun or soaking these same rays while lolling on the beach or a poolside. Now when you are considering getting a suntan in any of these methods there is an item that you will need to think about. This issue has to do with your appearance once the tanning process has finished.

To get a good and safe suntanning session going you will need to invest in some suntanning lotion which also provides you with adequate protection against the sun’s rays. You will also need to protect your eyes from the harsh sunlight as you will be facing upwards in the sunlight for part of your suntanning time. Now these issues aside you will need to decide well in advance what sort of tan you are going to work for.

This means are you planning on a full body tan or an upper body tan and then a lower body tan. You should take into consideration that most people who undergo suntanning in many cases have tanning lines visible on their body. These lines are the residual marks of where their swimming suits ends and the tan begins.

If you are not the shy type, you can consider getting a full body tan. There are many products on the market which will help you to get the tan of your dreams. Now to enable you to stay in the sun for some time you should get all of the items that you will need. If you can get do your suntanning over a period of several days you will have a nicely bronzed skin tone without the disadvantages of a sun burn or the possibility of skin cancer.

To make your suntanning even more pleasurable you should think about using some sun block to prevent your skin from getting burned. The added use of moisturizer after the suntanning session will help to make your skin feel even softer. You will need to have a large clock on hand. As timing is everything in getting a sun tan you will need to set the alarm so that you can turn over for the sun to tan the other side of your body.

The final items that you will need in suntanning are items like large floppy hat and sunglasses. These are items that will protect your face, head and eyes from the glare of the sun. With all of these items you are now ready to get your suntanning session under way.

www.dermatology.ca/indoortanning Not only can the ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning beds cause premature aging, it also increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Indoor tanning before the age of 35 has been associated with a significant increase in the risk of melanoma, and recently sunbeds (UV tanning beds) were moved up to the highest cancer risk category—group 1—carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer.
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