Tag Archives: skin cancer

Spending Time in the Sun

Warmer months are upon us and so that means many of us will be spending more time outdoors. I especially enjoy early mornings out on my deck sipping coffee and late afternoons sitting in my chair reading a good book. Of course, being outdoors means exposure to the sun. I certainly wouldn’t mind a little color but the sun can be very damaging so there are precautions that need to be taken. You can Enjoy Sunshine Without Sun Damage by following some important tips. Now that I am in my early 40’s, I am especially careful about the way I … Continue reading →

Is Your Toddler at Risk For Skin Cancer?

Are you slathering enough sunscreen on your toddler during these hot summer months? You might consider applying more sunblock more often during the course of the day if your tot has freckles on his upper back. Freckles are just one of six new factors that increase the likelihood of skin cancer, according to melanoma experts. The five other new factors include: *A family history of skin cancer *Overexposure to the sun *Having red or blonde hair *Previous sunburns that have caused patches of scaly skin *Several severe sunburns According to skin cancer experts, having one of the factors increases the … Continue reading →

Sun Protection and Your Baby

Protecting your baby’s skin is so important for his lifelong health. One bad burn in childhood can dramatically increase her chance of getting skin cancer as an adult. Baby’s skin is thin and can often burn even on a cloudy day in the shade. Here are some tips that you can use to protect your baby from the damaging rays of the sun. What type of sun protection should you choose? Sunscreen acts as a screen absorbing the suns rays, while sunblock does a better job at actually blocking out everything. There is generally no difference between the active ingredients … Continue reading →

FDA Approves Cancer Drug for Canines

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When our four-legged friends battle cancer, they often do it using the same medications used to fight cancer in humans. Until this week, human cancer drugs were the only type of cancer drug available to veterinarians. But now the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Palladia — a drug made specifically for treating cancer in dogs. Palladia was made to treat cutaneous mast cell tumors — a type of cancer that is to blame for approximately one out of every five cases of skin cancer in dogs. Some of these tumors are small and easily removed; in some dogs, … Continue reading →

Celebrities and Skin Cancer

Being a self-professed “tanaholic” (blame it on the fact that I was born and raised in Hawaii) I often worry that my days of basting (with baby oil) and baking as a teen might come back to haunt me. These days every time I notice an irregular mole or a raised freckle I speed dial my dermatologist. It doesn’t matter that now (years later) as a mother I am extremely vigilant about protecting my skin (and my family’s), the damage is done. All I can do now is hope and pray that I didn’t sustain irreparable damage. And I know … Continue reading →

Two Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanomas and nonmelanomas. Melanoma is a cancer of the melanin cells — the skin cells that give your skin a tan or brown color. Melanin also helps protect your skin from the sun. Melanoma is diagnosed on a scale of I to IV. The early stages — stage I and stage II — are usually localized. Removing the cancer often cures the patient completely. The five year survival rate for a stage I or stage II melanoma is 99 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. Advanced melanomas — stage III and stage … Continue reading →

Skin Cancer and Your Diet

I’m at high risk for contracting skin cancer. It’s a fact I live with everyday. Consequently, I am always on the lookout for new information regarding skin cancer. Like most of you I realize the single best way to protect your skin (and prevent cancer) is to avoid sunburn. I adhere to all of my doctor’s warnings… I wear a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses. I find a shady spot when I am at outdoor events and I slather on the sunscreen even if I am only going to be out in the sun for a little while. Now I’m … Continue reading →

Are You Ready For Sunny Days?

I don’t know about you, but we’ve had some WEIRD weather the last few weeks here in New Jersey. A little over a week ago, it snowed. Seriously! Monday, it was sunny and in the 80s. Over the weekend, we had a pair of gorgeous days with blue skies and highs in the 70s — just warm enough to wake up my spring fever! As soon as I saw the forecast and caught a breath of fresh air, I was ready to spend the day outside. I got out the deck chairs, I grabbed a book and a bottle of … Continue reading →

New Hope For Those With Skin Cancer

In previous blogs I noted that I am at high risk for skin cancer. I grew up in Hawaii long before “UVA,” “UVB,” and “SPF” were regularly used in conversations about sun exposure. Instead, the only thing I applied to my skin prior to venturing out in the hot Hawaiian sun was baby oil. As a result, I’ve suffered many serious burns and have had to visit the dermatologist on several occasions. Who knew my efforts to achieve a “healthy” golden glow would lead to my current situation of diligently conducting self-skin examinations on a daily basis? I know way … Continue reading →

How To Do A Skin Exam

Do you know how often you’re supposed to do a full-body skin check? Once a month. Do you know how many women in America actually DO a monthly full-body skin check? Less than a quarter. That’s maybe one in four women actually doing a monthly skin exam. If you think a skin exam is complicated or difficult, you’re thinking wrong. A skin exam is a quick and easy (and mostly visual) check — and surely you can spare ten minutes a month to prevent skin cancer! Get naked. Can’t look at your skin with your clothes on, unless you’re Superman. … Continue reading →