Skin Cancer: Causes, Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-06-03/skin-cancer-causes-prevention-symptoms-and-treatment
Memorial Day Weekend was the start of the summer season and, with it, the risks of over exposure to dangerous UV rays. What you need to know to protect yourself from skin cancer and how to detect its early signs.
Guests
Dr. Martin Weinstock
professor of dermatology and community health at Brown University, the chief of dermatology at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Providence, R.I., and chairman of the skin cancer advisory group for the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Maral Kibarian Skelsey
Director of the MOHS Surgery unit and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Georgetown University.
Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi
Co-Director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
Comments
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For centuries, pale skin was a sign of nobility - actually the basis of the term "blue-blood" because one could easily see the blue veins -- because it showed that one lead a leisurely life INDOORS, while the peasants labored OUTDOORS. It is only in more recent decades, post industrial revolution (and probably post black and while film and the Hollywood nuveau riche) that a tanned skin was indicative of the wealthy lounging in the sun OUTDOORS while the peasants were INDOORS, in the factories and data/call centers.
So, the punishment for seeking to appear above others (and above having to work) has become skin cancer. It's time to get over this unbalanced approach to community and beauty.
My doctor tested my Vitamin D level and tells me that I do not make enough of it. (My level was 17). She tells me to be in the sun sans sunblock (that is being in the sun for at least 20-30 minutes before putting on sunscreen- showing as much skin as possible). I am very faired skinned and use sun screen as a general rule.
What is the best way for me to get Vit D from the sun? Is it true that I will not get Vit D if I am covered in sunblock?
One of my concerns is the chemical cocktail nature of sunscreens. What is the balance of harm the chemicals we apply to our skin do versus the chance of sun cancer. Then if we're applying this sunscreen at the 'shot glass' strength on a daily basis, what consequences do these chemicals have to our water processing plants when they are washed off at the end of the day?
I recently bought a full body bathing suit. It was a competition bathing suit but was banned because it was too buoyant. I think manufacturers should produce full body bathing suits for us outdoor swimmers.
Can you comment on the common ingredient in sunscreen products, oxybenzoin. It's safety concerns, and specifically the long term use, over an entire body and the safety of that.
Could your guests comment on the amount of UVA and UVB rays that pass through car windows and sunroofs? Is this something we should be concerned about?
Interesting topic, but a whole hour on sun screen?
I lived in the UK for 6 years and found the lack of sun in the winter caused me great depression. I actually went to a tanning bed once a week and felt better. I live in SW Florida now and do not use sun screen, it irritates my skin. Instead, I wear a hat and avoid sugary drinks and always drink loads of water when I'm outside in the yard. I'm more worried about all the chemicals in our daily life and think your giving people false confidence if you wear a sunblock you'll stop Cancer. The sun has been around since the beginning of time and I think other factors lead to Cancer like diet,health and genetics. People survived before sunblock.
Your guests have commented about the safety of sun screens. What about the nano particles that are now used in many of them? I have read that nano particles, because they are so small, can pass through the skin into the blood stream and may pose long-term health risks. I am interested in any comments your guests might have about this issue.
Does the order you apply substances to your skin affect the protectiveness of the sunscreen. So if you have a topical medication, a moisturizer, etc. is there a preferred order for application? Also, I have rosaceae, is there a sunblock that is less irritating for my skin?
Thanks!
you say to avoid peak sun between 10am and 2pm. Isn't peak two hours before and after true noon which is 1pm, so 11am to 3pm?
My son is deploying to Afghanistan in the very near future. He is very, very fair skinned. What type or strength of sun screen should be in the care packages?
Thank you, great program,
Barbara
I'm a Baby Boomer whereby it was "cool" to get as tan as possible and that burning will help you tan faster! My father and one of my cousins had skin cancer (not Melanoma). Now I'm extremely serioius about using sun screen but my teenage girls think it's too much trouble (I always tell them to put it on BEFORE heading to the pool) and will only use spray sun screen. The spray is very expensive - after two days we're out. Any other suggestions for teens that think sun screen is not "cool" and are too impatient to take the time to put it on.
Susan
Cincinnati
Can you please explain why once you have a skin cancer you have a 50% chance of getting another. Why is this? What contributes to you getting another. Please explain.
Hello,
on the topic of ingredients in sun screen, how are the brands sold at health food store that claim to be nontoxic or the like? are they strong enough, better for you or your kids, etc?
thanks
Georgine
Grand Rapids, MI
My husband says that reapplying sunscreen does not add any more protection. Is this right? Or does reapplying sunscreen give you more protection?
Beverley, MI
pls comment on ingredients
la roche posay mexoryl xl
In the US La Roche Posay is only allowed to sell
mexoryl sx.
Are these two ingredients similar?
does europe or Australia have more effective standards than US?
I am very fair skinned. I like to have a little color on my face. Instead of risky exposure to the sun, I sometimes like to use the self-tanning lotions that bring out color in the skin without exposure to the sun. Are they safe????
Thank you,
Mary
At what point is it useful to have yearly or every two year mole checks with a dermatologist? What are the criteria that make a doctor recommend the dermatologist mole checks, as opposed to self checking or a quick check during a yearly physical?
when grandparents or friends say "we didn't do that and we're ok" I remind them that we didn't wear seatbelts as kids and now we don't leave the driveway without buckling up. It's about safety, knowledge and good health.
What about protecting your pets from the sun in hot states like Florida?
What about protecting your pets from the sun in hot states like Florida?
Just tuned in and missed the first 45 minutes of the program. I have a few questions
1) African Americans come in all shades. Should they use sunblock?
2) If so, how would you suggest that African-Americans obtain their vitamin D
3) Is there a high incidence of skin cancer/melanoma in subsaharan Africa?
For the person who has allergy issues: try Earth's Best Sun Block. This is the only one that my son is not allergic to.
This would be a great topic to examine again, in more detail. I have a huge number of questions, such as:
*Some claim that eating more fruits and vegetables and drinking tea protects the skin against sun damage. Is this accurate?
*How do barrier sunscreens containing elements like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide degrade over time and lose their effectiveness?
*Can one get sunscreen in an area that is always protected from the sun, or is it always in areas that are exposed to sun?
*How important is lip balm with a sun protective factor?
This may be an odd question, but are the spray on tans safe for the skin? Can you still apply sunscreen over it?
I just lathered myself in sunscreen, waited 20 minutes, then walked to the pharmacy to buy more. Thanks for the show; it was very informative. However, the panel did not answer a question that is still relevant. IF an individual 'fails' (as a panel member put it) and ends up with a sunburn, what is the best method of treatment. I understand that we should be preventing sunburn at all costs, but sometimes it happens, despite our best wishes. How many days should the individual stay inside before venturing out again? What gels or creams should one apply?
I just lathered myself in sunscreen, waited 20 minutes, then walked to the pharmacy to buy more. Thanks for the show; it was very informative. However, the panel did not answer a question that is still relevant. IF an individual 'fails' (as a panel member put it) and ends up with a sunburn, what is the best method of treatment. I understand that we should be preventing sunburn at all costs, but sometimes it happens, despite our best wishes. How many days should the individual stay inside before venturing out again? What gels or creams should one apply?
Aloe Vera gel stops the burn. It is very effective. its on the shelf in most stores . Pharmacys Walmart etc. Apply it evening and morning until the burning stops. Thsi works very well and is low cost.
Please discuss the effectiveness of RIT Dye's product Sun Guard that washes in a sun-protective protection of 30 UPF. I cannot affort the expensive clothing available in the fore-mentioned sun-protective clothing lines. Thank you.