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Recognize“Don’t Fry Day” by Following Sun Safe Tips

By Richard Bezozo, M.D., President of MoleSafe

Millions of Americans are heading to beaches and warm-weather getaways this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day, seeking to dive toes deep into the sand as they celebrate the unofficialstart of summer! However, Memorial Day Weekend is not always so bright. This weekend tends to be peoples’ initial contact with the sun since last season, hence the reason why so many get sunburned. To commence the highly anticipated Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 24, 2013, has been declared as “Don’t Fry Day,” by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, as an effort to encourage sun safety awareness.

This year alone, the American Cancer Society projects approximately 76,690 new melanomas, the most serious and deadliest form of skin cancer, to be diagnosed, giving us all the more reason to practice safe sun techniques to reduce your risk.In full support of “Don’t Fry Day,” to help you keep your skin healthy and enjoy being outdoors and avoid the painful start of the sunburnseason, be sure to follow these simple tips below:

• Use sunscreen. Whether you’re at the beach or at a barbecue, always wear a broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply the sunscreen generously to all parts of your body 30 minutes before going outdoors, to allow it to absorb in your skin, and reapply it every 2 to 3 hours. Even if you aren’t so lucky to get sunny weather, if you are outdoors, be sure to apply sunscreen because approximately 50 – 80 percent of UV rays penetrate through the clouds.
• Limit exposure. Despite our desire to spend countless hours outdoors this weekend, it requires some risk-taking. Try to avoid the sun or minimize your time outdoors during the sun’s most powerful hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are outdoors, seek shade when possible.
• Cover your skin. Wear a hat, put on some wraparound UV-blocking sunglasses, and don’t forget to apply a lip balm that contains an SPF. Sun-protective clothing and bathing suits that contain an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) are also a good idea to wear to enhance protection from the sun’s harmful rays, especially for lighter-skinned individuals who are more prone to sunburn.
• Treat your burns. If your skin does happen to burn from too much sun exposure, apply aloe or moisturizing cream to ease the discomfort and hydrate your skin and be sure to stay out of the sun to limit any further damage.

This “Don’t Fry Day” reminds people to be proactive in their skin health this weekend, and every day of the year. In addition to following these tips, it is important to note that the best way to detect skin cancer is to regularly check your skin and enroll in an early detection melanoma screening program, to monitor for changes in moles and for new skin growths and lesions. I encourage you to take the lead in your health and enjoy your Friday, without making it a “fry” day.

This week, the Huffington Post reported on the fact that there may be a correlation between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and melanoma. Researchers at The Mayo Clinic were the ones to find the apparent link. They analyzed seven years worth of information about IBD, and found 180 cases of melanoma in 170,000 patients who had IBD.

Based on the data, researchers believe that having IBD puts patients at a 37% risk of contracting melanoma. The group reminds us however, that this study has only revealed a correlation,  and does not prove that one is responsible for the other. Dr. Adam Friedman, Everyday Health leader, did have words of warning saying that while these studies are useful, they often don’t find strong connections. “[I]n any setting where there is relentless inflammation, cancer is always a risk as repair or restorative mechanisms which swoop in after the inflammation wreaks havoc may fail, resulting in ongoing growth of damaged or cancerous cells,” the doctor said.

The Mayo Clinic findings stress the importance of IBD patients being sun smart. They must take extra precaution to protect their skin. The clinic further suggests that physicians pay extra attention to these patients when screening them for skin cancer.

We at MoleSafe find this to be very interesting. We hope that researchers are able to look more into this and find more concrete evidence, or as Dr. Friedman says, “strong connections”.

This week Medical Express reported on a study which showed that redheads may be more susceptible to contracting skin cancer than people with other hair colors. This includes redheads who spend very little time in the sun.

The study was lead by Dr. David Fisher, who initially uncovered the link between melanoma and red hair pigment (pheomelanin). The researchers are taking the next step and looking into why a body’s creation of this pigment may also prompt a skin cancer risk. They presume that the pigment leaves skin cells more vulnerable to DNA damage, hence causing the cancer risk.

In a study done on mice, “…researchers had previously found that at least half of red-furred mice developed melanoma, even though none of them had been exposed to any ultraviolet (UV) radiation. By comparison, only about 10 percent of mice without red fur contracted melanoma”. Fisher says that in this experiment they were able to remove UV and that the red-furred mice still had a significant incidence of melanoma.

Fisher speculated on two ways the red pigment might cause skin cells to be more vulnerable to melanoma. It could be that the creation of pheomelanin in the body might also generate unstable oxygen-containing molecules that can damage cells. These molecules are known as reactive oxygen species, or ROS. On the other hand, synthesis of pheomelanin might rob skin cells of crucial stores of antioxidants that would otherwise be used to prevent ROS damage.

Fisher’s team believes that prevention could exist if they can block the reactive oxygen damage the pigment is producing.

We at MoleSafe find this to be very interesting. We also remind everyone that sun vigilance is of utmost importance, even if there is a genetic impact on melanoma. Always remember to slip, slap, and slop!

What do YOU think? Let us know below!

This week people all over the world took part in Melanoma Monday. Our very own Dr. Bezozo did his best to promote sun safety and educate people all over the world about the dangers of skin cancer and melanoma. He also went over the ever important ABCDEs of melanoma, and explained why early detection is the best way to protect oneself from skin cancer. A screening program such as MoleSafe can further help by documenting any change that skin or moles may have.

The doctor was fortunate to have two interviews that day, one with The Weather Channel and one with Huffington Post Live. The links to the conversations are below.

Please let us know what you think!

Prevent Skin Cancer This Summer

Melanoma Monday

This week we’d like to bring attention to the fact that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. All around the world, people are doing their best to bring attention to one of the fastest growing cancer epidemics. Together, we may be able to educate the public, and make skin cancer even more preventable.

In Michigan, awareness billboards have been posted. The signs picture Jillian Hayes, a young girl who passed away from melanoma in December of 2012. Jillian’s doctors blamed the cause of her cancer on years of tanning. Susan, her mother, decided to take action by promoting these billboards with the hope that Jillian’s story may be able to help others. This is just one of the many examples of how people are attempting to spread the word on the importance of sun safety.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reminds us that we should:

1. Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest. An extra rule of thumb is the “shadow rule.” If your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s harmful UV radiation is stronger; if your shadow is longer, UV radiation is less intense.
2. Do not burn. A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any point in life.
3. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. UV radiation from tanning machines is known to cause cancer in humans, and the more time a person has spent tanning indoors, the higher the risk. Those who make just four visits to a tanning salon per year can increase their risk for melanoma by 11 percent, and their risk for the two most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, by 15 percent.
4. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Clothing can be your most effective form of sun protection, so make the most of it with densely woven and bright-or dark-colored fabrics, which offer the best defense. The more skin you cover, the better, so choose long sleeves and long pants whenever possible.
5. Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
6. Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
7. Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens may be used on babies over the age of six months, but they should also be protected by shade and clothing. Children are very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation— just one severe sunburn in childhood doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life.
8. Examine your skin head-to-toe every month. While self-exams shouldn’t replace the important annual skin exam performed by a physician, they offer the best chance of detecting the early warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any change in an existing mole or discover a new one that looks suspicious, see a physician immediately.
9. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

Here at MoleSafe, we’d also like to add that a skin screening program such as MoleSafe is also another important step in ensuring your skin safety. With the most advanced program in the world, we do what we can to catch melanoma and other skin cancer lesions before it is too late.

What do YOU think? How will you help to contribute to Skin Cancer Awareness Month?

Exciting news came from Merck & Co. this week. They announced that the FDA awarded breakthrough status to the company’s new cancer treatment, lambrolizumab. This, in turn, could speed up the development of the drug. This drug would be used for patients with advanced stages of melanoma.

The breakthrough program was created in 2012 as a means of speeding up the approval process for drugs deemed capable of causing improvements in the treatment of serious diseases. A mid-stage clinical trial was started to see if the drug could be used for other types of cancer as well. Merck & Co. says that the drug helps the immune system to fight cancer.

Unfortunately, Merck & Co. has not released any more information on this new wonder drug. We at MoleSafe will be sure to update you on the status of the trials when that information is released.

What do YOU think? Let us know below!

This week the Huffington Post reported on the idea that like smoking, tanning could be addictive. This idea has been stemmed from the recent study which we reported on last week, that some melanoma survivors were still not protecting themselves from the sun. Researchers were shocked to find that there was even a percentage of survivors partaking in indoor tanning.

Excessive tanning — known as “tanorexia” — was most recently in the public light when an orange-tinged bedraggled mother in New Jersey was charged with allowing her 6-year-old daughter into tanning booths. Patricia Krentcil, known as the “tanning mom,” said she paid a local tanning salon $100 a month, and went for tanning sessions at least five days per week.

The article states that the recent study conducted by Dr. Anees B. Chagpar questions why “tanorexia” is occuring. Why do people continue to engage themselves in risky behavior? Sherry Pagoto, PhD, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Massachusettes Medical School , has been studying this behavior for more than 10 years. She particulary studies this behavior in relationship to tanning. She claims that as with other addictions, many use tanning as a way to cope with depression. She claims a “quick fix” and a “rush of brain chemicals” are also behind this behavior.

“It’s more about medicating the mood,” said Pagoto. “Some people do that by overeating, some people will smoke cigarettes, some people will do that by tanning.” She said much like drinking or smoking, tanning can start out as a social activity but then may turn into an addiction. And for many young women, the addiction is also driven by peer pressure, she said.

Unfortunately, the true culprit could be endorphins. Like when exercising, endorphins are released during tanning and make people feel good. A study was published in 2011 which monitored brain activity of people who went to tanning salons at least three times a week. Two tanning beds were used, one which blocked UV rays and one which did not. The brain scans showed that certain areas of the brain were active only when a person was in the bed which did not block the UV waves.

The article also goes on to cite “warped” self image as a contributing factor to tanning addictions. Unfortunately, these addictions can be attached to other underlying problems. The researchers suggest that a tanning addict find other ways to feel relaxed, such as meditating or hanging with friends.

We at MoleSafe think that this is a very interesting idea. It makes sense that like cigarettes, a well know carcinogen, tanning could also be addictive. We hope that these addicts find other ways of coping with their stresses.

What do YOU think? Let us know below!

This week a shocking study hit the media circuit as many news posts were reporting on a study which found that a large percentage of melanoma survivors were not protecting themselves with sunscreen. The research team from Yale University’s School of Medicine found that out of 171 melanoma survivors, more than 25% of them said they never use sunscreen when spending an hour or more outside in the sun. An even more startling statistic, is that 2% of them admitted to using tanning beds.

Dr. Anees Chagpar, the lead reseacher, did give the survivors a little bit of credit by saying that overall they protected themselves better than the average person, but she made it clear that there was still room for improvement. Chagpar suggested that we need to be more vigilant about sun safety education.

The results are based on a 2010 government health survey that included 27,120 U.S. adults, 171 of whom reported a history of melanoma. Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, accounting for less than 5 percent of skin cancers in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Still, most deaths from skin cancer are due to melanoma — which often spreads to other parts of the body if it’s not caught early. Because too much ultraviolet (UV) light is a major melanoma risk factor, experts advise everyone to limit their exposure. That means staying in the shade, donning sunscreen and covering up when you’re in the sun, and avoiding the tanning salon altogether.

Dr. Chagpar admitted that out of everyone following sun safety tips, you would think it would be the melanoma survivors. One-third of them actually did, compared to 17% of average Americans. The survivors were also more likely to wear a hat or long sleeves. That still left the 27% of survivors who never applied sunscreen and the 2% who actually visited tanning salons. That 2% really shocked Chagpar. She mentioned that scientists are beginning to look into tanning as an addiction and seemed to indicate that this 2% could be a result of an addiction.

We at MoleSafe, like Dr. Chagpar, couldn’t believe our eyes when we read about the 2% still tanning even after a melanoma diagnosis. We just hope that education continues to bring the dangers of tanning to peoples attention. That being said, this just goes to prove why MoleSafe is so important. We are able to continue to check moles on melanoma survivors and make sure that the cancer has not come back. We are able to find the lesion before it is too late!

What do YOU think? Let us know below!

Our last post was on how to keep skin healthy during colder months, but with the passing of spring break, many will now enter into a time where they will go on vacation. Dr. Bezozo recently gave tips on how to keep your skin in top condition during these times as well, on Freehold Patch.

Although a trip to the beach can seem to beckon a golden tan, we must remember that this tan could be placing us at risk for significant skin damage. What may seem like a small tan line or bit of sunburn now, could mean skin cancer later.  That’s why it is important for us to be proactive about our skin now! Dr. Bezozo’s tips allow us to practice safe sun:

• Do not seek a base tan. There truly is no such thing as a “base tan,” and getting one will certainly not provide you with protection from the sun’s UV rays. Recent studies and research from the Melanoma Research Foundation show that tanning bed users have a significantly increased risk of developing melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. So, instead of visiting your local tanning salon to get an initial tan, or burn, practice safe sun with the additional tips below.

• Minimize exposure during the sun’s strongest and most powerful hours. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is when the UV rays are strongest, so if possible, avoid the sun or minimize your time outdoors during these hours. Instead, try shopping, going out to lunch, or other fun vacation festivities! If you are looking to be a beach bum or enjoy a day lounging at the pool, consider renting a cabana or bringing a large umbrella to help shade you from the sun for prolonged hours.

• Protect your skin. When you are enjoying the sun’s warmth outdoors, always wear a broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and be sure to get all exposed and non-exposed skin areas. Apply the sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 1 ½ to 2 hours. Don’t forget that sunscreen is needed even on cloudy days, because approximately 50 – 80 percent of UV rays penetrate through the clouds.

• Stay Covered. Wear a hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, a lip balm with an SPF, and wear protective clothing to cover your skin if and when possible.

• Treat your burns properly. Sun burns are the ultimate vacation-killer. There is nothing like getting a painful, or blistering, burn that keeps you from having fun the rest of your spring break or vacation. If your skin does happen to burn from too much sun exposure, apply aloe or moisturizing cream to ease the discomfort and hydrate your skin and be sure to stay out of the sun to limit any further damage.

• Monitor your skin. Be proactive in your skin health by regularly monitoring your skin for any changes in the size or shape of existing moles and monitor your skin for new moles. Consider enrolling in an early detection melanoma screening program, to optimize your skin health

By taking these steps now, we are preventing ourselves from having to deal with the harsh reality of skin damage later. This allows for us to truly enjoy our vacations even more!

What do YOU think? Let us know below!

While Spring has officially arrived here in the Northeast and in many other parts of the world, it is still cold outside. It is important for us to remember that we cannot be lax in our skin care just because we may not feel the affects of the sun as strongly as we do doing warmer times. Our very own Dr. Bezozo recently gave tips to Advance Healthcare POV on how to pay close attention to your skin when it is cooler outside.

• Protect with sunscreen. Although you are no longer sunbathing, UV rays are still intense on both clear and cloudy winter days. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, specifically to your face, hands, neck and scalp, at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. Due to the sun’s reflections off the snow and conditions that occur at high altitudes, be sure to apply a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB radiation when you go skiing and snowboarding, to reduce your risk of sunburns and other long-term effects, including premature aging of the skin and even skin cancer.
• Moisturize. It is best to lather your skin with a rich cream multiple times per day, especially soon after you get out of the shower, to seal the water into your skin. There are several creams and ointments available to fit the needs of different skin types, but some key ingredients to look for are products that contain lactin acid, urea, lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum. Be sure to moisturize your entire body, paying close attention to the areas that are most frequently exposed when outdoors. You should also apply a moisture-rich lip balm with SPF to protect your lips.
• Cover your skin. Wear clothing that protects your skin from the sun’s rays, strong winds and the cool air that leads to dry, flaky skin. Protect all areas of your body by wearing hats, scarves, gloves, long pants and a jacket.
• Skip hot showers. Keep your baths and showers short, and the temperature of the water warm, rather than hot. Although a long, hot bath may be tempting to battle the wintery weather, hot water will strip the natural oils and protection away from your skin and dry it out.
• Monitor your skin’s changes. Now that the tan has faded, you may notice new moles, lesions or unusual marks on your skin that have developed as a result of the sun’s harsh rays from your time outdoors. Regular visits to your dermatologist, self-checks, and enrolling in an early detection surveillance program to monitor existing and new moles and lesions are essential in keeping you and your skin healthy all year long.

We couldn’t agree more with the doctor’s suggestions here at MoleSafe.

What do YOU think? Let us know below!