Emperor of all Maladies

As one friend wrote of “The Emperor of all Maladies”: “May sound depressing but it’s not. It’s fascinating and feels (so far) like a must-read for anyone who has had cancer or been touched by someone who did. Said another way, EVERYONE.”

The official description:

“…a magnificent, profoundly humane “biography” of cancer—from its first documented appearances thousands of years ago through the epic battles in the twentieth century to cure, control, and conquer it to a radical new understanding of its essence.”

Have you read it?  What are your thoughts? As always, your comments are welcome.

Bikers –

Cycling news site, Nouvelles à Vélo du Monde — Bike World News –  has some practical reminders:

People who bicycle a lot have several strikes against them when it comes to skin cancer… Because many cyclists ride near their homes, they think they’re not at risk if they don’t put on sunblock — even for a short ride. The problem is that cyclists tend to expose more skin than other athletes because of the clothes they wear (shorts and short-sleeve shirts). In addition, many cyclists may not realize that water, sand, and asphalt streets reflect dangerous UV rays.

In addition to the expected recommendations such as sunscreen, including face, nose, neck and ears, less obvious suggestions include moving your cycling time to when the sun is less severe, such as early morning, wearing riding gloves and also a thin cycling hat under a helmet. 

Another interesting suggestion?:

Don’t forget to stay hydrated while cycling by drinking plenty of non-alcoholic beverages before  and during a ride. When your skin dries out or is not hydrated properly, it’s more susceptible to sunburn and long-term skin damage.

Beach and Pool:

Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re in the sun and every 40 minutes if you are in the water.  And don’t forget your feet.  Believe it or not, some say flip-flops are causing increased skin cancer!  Well, not the sandals themselves, but the increased popularity of that sun-exposing style vs. covered shoes.  But as described on Fort Bragg Patch.com,

“Being protected from the sun doesn’t mean you have to throw all the fun out the window. Find the coolest pair of shades you can come by, get a ridiculously big hat (like Carrie from Sex and the City), park it under a tree or umbrella and sip on something fruity to keep you cool.”

That said, sometimes a burn will still happen.  USAToday.com has good and practical treatment advice in that worst case scenario.  I encourage you to read it, but some high points are:

After a cool shower or bath, slather on a moisturizing cream or lotion to soothe the skin. …And consider a product containing vitamin C and vitamin E: It might help limit skin damage (though studies have not proved that)… It’s also OK to use a hydrocortisone cream for a day or two to relieve discomfort.

…Drink extra water, juice and sports drinks for a couple of days and watch for signs of dehydration… Children are especially vulnerable, so check with a doctor if they appear ill.

Consider medicating with ibuprofen which not only alleviates the pain and some swelling, but might prevent some long-term skin damage.  While they remind us most sunburns can be treated at home, “if a blistering burn covers 20% or more of the body (a child’s whole back), [or if symptoms such as fever or chills occur] seek medical attention”

And area readers may have seen a profile of yours truly, which ran on NJ.com on Sunday.  I share this because it enabled me to explain the reason I’m passionate about MoleSafe, and how it came about.

More importantly, it hopefully brought a little more awareness about this important screening technique to more people.

There’s been more exciting news in the area of Melanoma research and treatment.  I’ll share that later this week….

Next, what better time than Mother’s Day to thank moms like the Walters sisters who now also ensure they practice safe sun exposure for their kids as well!  As a reminder, that includes having them play in the shade, using protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly.

Speaking of sun exposure, SpaFinders is in on the awareness path with a sun-exposure alert bracelet!  Much better idea than the “suntan turnover time alerts” we still hear on the radio some times…

Another way to make a “fashion statement” about melanoma is through the numerous items touting Melanoma Awareness which you can find at Zazzle.com, for example.

We applaud the AAD‘s “31 Days and 31 Ways” to Prevent and Detect Melanoma.  Check out each of the days of May for good tips and suggestions, as well as their list of locations for free skin cancer check-ups.  Of course, we believe that May is the best time — before summer kicks off — to get the most thorough exam possible using the latest high tech methods of screening for skin cancers and melanoma, and that is the methodology used by MoleSafe in the U.S. and MoleMap worldwide.

Here’s to a good, healthy month of May!

This nodular lesion is a squamous cell carcinoma. These lesions are seldom fatal but can be disfiguring. Credit: The Skin Cancer Foundation

The images are startling, clear, and come with specific explanations of the whys and whats that distinguish the moles and lesions in the photos.  They may be difficult for the average person to review, but I feel they are important as a way to increase awareness of what could be ignored or overlooked  and with this kind of education what could, just as the title promises, save your life.  Just as we felt about Dr. Oz and the “in your face” videos of skin cancers and prevention information that he shared, this photographic guide is worthy of a “Hat’s On” award for straightforward, helpful coverage of exactly what to look for in the variety of skin cancer presentations.

And yet again, here are those rules of thumb again for your skin self-exams and warning signs to heed:

• A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored
• A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that:
  • changes color
  • increases in size or thickness
  • changes in texture
  • is irregular in outline
  • is bigger than 6mm or 1/4”, the size of a pencil eraser
  • appears after age 21
• A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed
• An open sore that does not heal within three weeks

Note: this is not an endorsement of any particular product…just an endorsement of getting the look you want in a safer way:

1. First up, cult favorite “Big Bronzer” by Cargo Cosmetics. The jumbo oversized palette will instantly warm up your face or body. With just a hint of shimmer, you can quickly apply a little or a lot for a natural looking glow.
2. For an even easy-to-apply application simply swipe on a little color… Kate Somerville’s Tanning Towelettes are paraben-free, streak-free and mess-free, while Dr. Denese’s Glow Younger Self-Tanning Gloves will do the same and offer anti-aging benefits.
3. New on the bronzing scene is Temptu’s Summer Skin 3 Step Air Pod system–perfect for die-hard spray tan fans who want to give it a go at home.
4. Last but not least, if you want a faux glow without the long-term commitment, L’Oreal and St. Tropez both offer great “1 Day” options that easily wash away with soap & water.

PS:  The timing has never been better for encouraging your teen to try sunless tanners. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, which officially opposes indoor tanning and supports a ban on indoor tanning for non-medical purposes, most tanning salon patrons are white females in their teens and 20s.  And not coincidentally they also point out:

Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.

Melanoma is increasing faster in females ages 15-29 than males in the same age group. The torso is the most common location for developing skin cancer which may be due to deliberate tanning.

Studies have demonstrated that exposure to UV radiation during indoor tanning can lead to skin aging, immune suppression, and eye damage, including cataracts and ocular melanoma.

So consider Bobbie’s sunless tanners recommendations or take those of the AADA and just say no to tans altogether.

Thanks to our friends at the Skin Cancer Foundation, you can take advantage of their 4th annual skin cancer screening tour, which kicked off again just last week.

The 2011 Tour will make an estimated 80 stops in 24 states. After kicking off in Jacksonville, Florida on March 11, the Tour bus, a 38-foot customized RV with two exam rooms, will travel around the country stopping in some new cities this year. The Tour reaches New York City just in time for Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May. The 2011 Road to Healthy Skin Tour will conclude in New Orleans on September 17.

Tour Route: Skin Cancer Foundation Screening Bus

So, here, there and everywhere (a line from another great song!) is an opportunity to look out for yourself and your loved ones; no excuses! Plan your checkup today.  You can even use their site to “tell a friend.” Please do; a life could depend on it.

Rory Sabbatini Prevails on the Course and Against Skin Cancer

As reported by Reuters, “Nine days after the birth of the Sabbatinis’ third child, Bodhi Mac, the golfer went under the knife to have a cancerous growth removed from his face. The scare has led to him wearing a broad rimmed hat and smearing his face in a special sun-cream each time he steps on a golf course.”

I think Rory deserves the Hats On Award, not just for making sun protection a fashion statement on the course, but for all he’s doing to promote awareness.  As posted in Golf Week,

The bad news is five-time PGA Tour winner Rory Sabbatini was diagnosed with skin cancer in December. The good news is he is “fine” after surgery, though he will have to be careful and wear big hats and be diligent in applying sunscreen.  The better news is Sabbatini, among the top 20 in Tour earnings four of the past seven years, is planning to raise money for charity through a sunscreen-related launch at next week’s PGA Merchandise Show.

SmartShield has announced a partnership with Rory promoting it as his official sunscreen. Rory began wearing the SmartShield logo on his shirt and covering his face and arms with the sunscreen at the Sony Open in Hawaii. As golf season is dawning again with Spring around the corner, make sure you are course-correcting with these suggestions from another terrific post in Golf Week :

“Everybody needs to be smart,” said David Donatucci, the PGA’s director of fitness and performance. “As a golfer, you’re out in the sun for five hours. You need sunscreen. You need to reapply sunscreen. You need to drink water. You need to eat a little something. All these things need to become habits, and that’s the message we are spreading….Sunscreens are becoming more user-friendly.

Golfers should wear it every time they play, regardless of conditions. Playing golf in cloudy conditions doesn’t protect you from UV rays. They come through the clouds.”