Skin Cancer: The Naked Truth

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Skin Cancer includes

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Melanoma

Last month Battling Cancer covered Melanoma in an exclusive post you can find in the archives.

The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be more than 1,000,000 newly diagnosed cases of non melanoma skin cancers in the U.S. in 2008 and less than 1,000 deaths.

Defining the other skin cancers:

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and most easily treated and begins in the basal level of the skin or epidermis. This cancer grows slowly and rarely spreads, unless left untreated. It is not uncommon for it to recur in the same spot. Per the Mayo Clinic, it usually appears this way:

• pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears or neck
• A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion on your chest or back

Squamous Cell Carcinoma occurs upper level of the epidermis and may spread to the fatty tissue and to the lymph nodes if left untreated. The first stage of squamous cell carcinoma may be a precancerous lesion called actinic keratosis. Per The May Clinic it usually appears this way:

• A firm, red nodule on your face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on your face, ears, neck, hands or arms

Risk Factors for non Melanoma Skin Cancer:

• UV light exposure-natural and artificial and a history of severe sunburns
• Fair Skin-occurs more often in people with fair skin, freckles and light hair
• Immune Suppression-a weakened immune system due to other factors
• Sex-Men have a higher incidence
• History of skin cancer
• Chemicals-exposure to arsenic, tar, coal, and paraffin
• Exposure to radiation
• HPV infection
• Smoking
• History of skin diseases that impair the ability of the skin to repair or increases risks of sunburn
• Rare condition called Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

Prevention includes knowing your UV index and regulation of sun exposure, using sunscreen, protective clothing and avoiding tanning beds, and chemicals related to risk.

The Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) provides an easy website, as part of their SunWise Program to determine the UV index for your area of the U.S. so you can take preventative measures to regulate your exposure.

Cancer Research UK, provides links to the UV index for different parts of the UK and Europe.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Early detection is the key and this involves regular physical exams to assess your skin. Diagnosis will determine if skin cancer is local or metastasized and will stage the cancer. This is done by biopsy.

Treatment options may include:

• chemotherapy-may include a topical cream
• radiation
• cryosurgery-freezing the cells and removing them
• excision-cutting out the cancer
• laser therapy-utilizing a beam of light to vaporize the cancer cells.
• curettage and electrodesiccation-scraping cancer cells with a blade and using a needle
• Mohs surgery-done by a specialist usually for recurring or larger skin cancer. A doctor removes the cancer cells layer by layer

Further Resources:

The Skin Cancer Connection . com offers an informative article on topical skin cancer treatments.

Skin Cancer Basics from M.D. Anderson

May Skin Cancer Events:

As part of May, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and Olay has teamed up to offer free screenings with a dermatologic surgeon for you and a friend. The initiative, Skin Cancer Takes Friends can be seen in magazine ads (such as MORE magazine), and features actress Marcia Cross. For more details see the website.

The Skin Cancer Foundation Road to a Healthy Skin Tour may be in your neighborhood soon. The customized Winnebago starts off at the Today Show in NYC on May 2 and then heads across the U.S. giving free skin exams provided by local board certified dermatologists. The tour is sponsored by Aveeno, Rite Aid and Columbia Sportswear. Check the site to see the tour dates and locations.

Battling Books:

The Eggplant Cancer Cure: A Treatment for Skin Cancer, and New Hope for Other Cancers From Nature’s Pharmacy by Bill Cham (2008)

Skin Cancer by Robert A. Schwartz (2008)

Skin Cancer by Keyvan Nouri (2007)

100 Questions & Answers about Melanoma & Other Skin Cancers by Edward F. McClay, Mary-Eileen T. McClay, and Jodie Smith (2004)

               

New developments in cancer research make some tumors “glow in the dark”

The problem with excising cancerous cells from the body through surgery or radiation is that cells can be left behind to act as a seed to a new tumor.  In school, we learned that it can take even as little as 30 cells left behind to do exactly that.  Recently, physicians and scientists have found ways to make some cancerous cells glow in the dark, making them easier to spot within the human body and thus, easier to take right out in the hands of oncologists.

Scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are developing new ways to detect “silent” tumor masses, including ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer. The problem with these types of cancer is that there are normally very few symptoms that arise until the cancers have progressed and metastasized, making early detection and treatment very difficult. In order to address these detection problems, researchers at the NCI, lead by Dr. Hisataka Kobayashi, M.D., Ph.D., are using fluorescent imaging techniques to detect small tumor growths in mice that would not be detected using the cuurent practices.

The first study uses the fluorescent compound called Av-3ROX, which consists of the protein avidin bound to three molecules of rhodamine X, a fluorescent dye that emits a detectable signal when hit with the correct wavelength of light. The joining of avidin to rhodamine X results in the inability of rhodamine X to fluoresce. The genius of this approach is that avidin binds specifically to another protein that is found only on cancer cells. The cancer cells then “digest” the Av-3ROX, which is then broken down inside the cell to the base parts.

Read more

               

Can detecting breast cancer be as easy as putting on a bra?

Women:  Are you looking for the newest tool in early breast cancer detection?  If Dr. Elias Siores had his way, you might not have to look further than your own lingerie drawer.

According to ABCNews.com, a team of researchers led by Dr. Siores at the United Kingdom’s Centre for Research and Innovation at the University of Bolton has developed a new “smart bra” that they hope will alert women of any microscopic changes in body temperature.  Small changes in temperature such as these may be correlated with early tumor development, and this new foray into women’s clothing design hopes to take advantage of that fact by using passive microwaves that are embedded into the fibers of the bra.

But is such an easy solution accurate?  The Mayo Clinic thinks that women should be weary of such one-size-fits-all approaches to tumor detection.

Sandhya Prudhi, MD, a breast health specialist at the Mayo Clinic, had this to say about the use of thermography for early breast cancer detection:

“There is no evidence that breast thermography is an effective screening tool for early detection of breast cancer. . . This technology is most effective in detecting tumors that are close to the skin surface but not tumors deeper in the breast. Also, breast thermography is not sensitive enough to detect small cancers. Breast thermography is not routinely used for breast cancer detection and should not be used instead of mammograms.” 

New research suggests, however, that more advanced integrated techniques in breast cancer thermography still have a lot of promise. An August 2007 study reviewing recent advances in breast cancer thermography in the Journal of Medical Engineering Techology states:

“Technological advances in the field of infrared thermography over the last 20 years warrant a re-evaluation of the use of high-resolution digital thermographic camera systems in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer. . .   Of particular interest would be investigation in younger women and men, for whom mammography is either unsuitable or of limited effectiveness.”

I recognize the value in having an easy-to-use early cancer detection tool, but I’m still not sure that I would rely on a thermography in an undergarment. It seems like there could be a lot of room could be attributed to human error, especially for a klutz for me who routinely spills coffee down the front of my shirt.  Readers, would you consider using a tool like this?

               

How To Do a Breast Self-Exam

According to the American Cancer Society, the chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 33 or 3%. Overall, about 1 in 12 women may contract breast cancer at some age, with the odds higher later in life. But thanks to modern medicine, many breast cancers can be successfully treated with only minor impact. However, the success of that treatment depends critically on early detection, and the earlier the better. One simple way to up the odds of discovery is to perform a regular breast self examination.

* The Goal Is To Detect Changes Which Might Signal Conditions Worth Investigating

The goal of breast self examination is to detect changes which might signal a condition worth investigating more closely, either with a professional clinical exam, mammogram or other diagnostic aid. Those changes might indicate an abnormality. But to judge what’s abnormal, it’s essential to know what constitutes normal. That varies from individual to individual, though there are commonalities.

* Start YourSelf-Exam At A Regular Time Every Month So It Becomes A Habit

The first element to a proper self-exam is to know what your own breasts feel and look like in general. Every aspect of the body changes in subtle ways on a regular basis. During the menstrual cycle those changes may be exaggerated. Breasts can become enlarged or more sensitive. Start your self-exam a few days after your period every month so it becomes a habit. For post-menopausal women, choose the same day every month to perform the exam.

* Make A Visual Inspection

Stand in front of a mirror unclothed and make a visual inspection. Look for changes in the size of only one breast. Normal menstrual cycles and other hormonally related variation will usually affect both the same. Look for any changes in size or color of the nipple or areola (the darker skin around the nipple). Note any wrinkling or ‘orange peel’ appearance that is not due to cold temperature. Most areola are round. Look for any lack of symmetry.

* Make A Physical Inspection

Squeeze a nipple gently and note any fluid that comes out. Some lactation is normal in some women. But yellowish, pus-like fluid is a reason to call your physician for a closer look. It may be a simple infection or it could be an early sign of a developing tumor. Repeat the procedure for the other nipple.

Continue to look for any such tumors by feeling carefully over the surface of the entire breast with the arms lowered. Take in not just the surface from the breastbone to side, but up toward the armpit as well. Press firmly with the finger pads and move the hand slowly, feeling for any thickening or lumps.

Not all lumps are cancerous. In fact, most are not. A lump may be a simple cyst, a fluid-filled sac of tissue. Often they are round and can be moved slightly. These are benign, though you may want to have them removed anyway. Some will fade spontaneously over time.

Cancerous lumps tend to be harder and less regular in shape. They are frequently attached to breast tissue. Not all hard lumps are cancerous either, so don’t be unduly alarmed. Many are just what are called fibroadenomas, a benign clump of cells. Professional tests are required in order to know for sure.

* Be Aware Of Changes In Size

Be particularly aware of any lumps which change in size. Cancer is a malignant, uncontrolled growth of cells in tissue. As such, cancer tumors don’t remain static but increase in size and, later, may spread to other parts of the body.

Continue the tactile exam by raising the arms overhead and applying pressure all the way from the breastbone up to the armpit again. Repeat for the other side and breast.

* Repeat Procedure In Different Positions

Perform the procedure again while lying down, first with the arms lowered, then raised overhead. Again try to feel any changes, especially tissue which has become hard. The procedure can be repeated in the shower in order to lower friction on the skin, but it can sometimes be difficult to find changes or lumps with water beating on your skin. Try baby oil instead.

Any woman over age 20 should be performing regular breast self-exams, while those over 40 should get a mammogram at least annually.