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Posts for category: Cancer

By Skin Cancer Foundation
December 14, 2015
Category: Cancer
Tags: skin cancer   cancer   skin   tanning   health   lung cancer   disease  

An article from The Skin Cancer Foundation

Source: www.skincancer.org

Published on January 29, 2014

JAMA Dermatology has released a study, “International Prevalence of Indoor Tanning -- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”

Key study takeaways at-a-glance:

  • The number of skin cancer cases due to tanning is higher than the number of lung cancer cases due to smoking.
  • In the US alone, 419,254 cases of skin cancer can be attributed to indoor tanning. Out of this number, 6,199 are melanoma cases.

The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Position:
The study results demonstrate that tanning bed use, particularly among young people, is an alarmingly widespread behavior. In the US, 35% of adults and 55% of college students have tanned, and the study found there are more than 419,000 new skin cancer cases attributable to indoor tanning each year. Worldwide, there are more skin cancer cases due to indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases due to smoking.

These results are not surprising given what we know about indoor tanning behaviors and society’s flawed view that an artificially tanned look is beautiful. The Foundation continually works to change perceptions about tanning through its public education efforts, including its PSA campaign Go With Your Own Glow, which is designed to encourage women to embrace and protect their natural skin tones.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds avoid indoor tanning and take precautions in the sun by limiting outdoor time between 10 am and 4 pm, seeking the shade when outdoors, using a broad spectrum SPF 15+ sunscreen (SPF 30+ sunscreen for extended stays outdoors), and wearing protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.

This is the first summary of the international prevalence of indoor tanning exposure. 88 records (studies) were included in the meta-analysis, and the results include data from 406,696 participants. Analyses were performed separately for three geographic regions: the United States and Canada, Northern and Western Europe and Australia, as well as for these regions combined.

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By Dr. Roger Moore
October 19, 2015
Category: Cancer
Tags: skin cancer   skin   Mohs surgery   lip cancer   health  

Basal cell carcinoma is not an uncommon cancer to occur on the lip. The lips are often overlooked when looking for non-melanoma skin cancers. However, given their highly visible location, the majority of lip cancers are easily detectable and treatable at an early stage. A raised pink or pearly bump on or around the lip can be a possible sign of skin cancer.

Cancer of the lips comprises approximately 0.6 percent of all cancers in the U.S. It is the most common malignant lesion of the oral cavity, constituting 25-30 percent of all oral cavity cancer cases.  Studies have shown that males are 3-13 times more likely to develop lip cancers, likely due to occupation-related sun exposure combined with greater alcohol and tobacco use. The lower lip is approximately 12 times more likely to be affected, because it often incurs more sun exposure. 

The best treatment in delicate areas like this is done with Mohs Micrographic Surgery. With Mohs surgery, less tissue is taken, and therefore there is usually less scarring. This form of treatment also offers up to a 99% cure rate, making it the most effective treatment available for basal cell carcinoma. 

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By Dr. Roger Moore
February 02, 2015
Category: Cancer
Tags: skin cancer   facts   skin  

The following are a few interesting facts about skin cancer:

The most common cancer today is skin cancer. While other cancers get more publicity, skin cancer is occurring at astounding rates. More than 3 million basal cell or squamous cell cancers are thought to occur each year in the United States. The incidence can be 10 times the rate of many other cancers. Fortunately, if caught early, many skin cancers can be treated in a simple manner.

The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer (BCC), squamous cell cancer (SCC) and melanoma. Melanoma is the most serious, and fortunately the least common. The BCC and SCC types occur more frequently and are typically easier to treat. Treatment options vary depending on the size, location and other factors. Most of these skin cancers are caught early and can be treated here in the office of Dr. Roger Moore at DermacenterMD. One of his areas of expertise is in the advanced skin cancer treatment technique termed Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery provides excellent benefits to his patients. Some of the benefits include: 1) higher cure rate than most other therapies, 2) often reduced scar size because less tissue is removed, 3) satisfaction of knowing the cancer is gone on treatment day, and 4) lower cost when compared to hospitals and surgery center fees.

If you have any question or concerns about skin cancer or skin cancer treatments, please give Dr. Roger Moore’s team at DermacenterMD a call at 574-522-0265.  No doctor referral is necessary. 

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