 |
From Expressly My Health
With recent concerns raised by consumer advocacy groups and scientists about the effectiveness of sunscreen, doctors at the John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) are increasing efforts toeducate the public about how to protect themselves against skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, accounting for about half of all cancers. Melanoma is the most rapidly increasing malignancy in the world today, reports Donald L. Morton, M.D., medical director of JWCI. Most melanomas are caused by sun damage. And while there are other types of skin cancer, melanoma is by far the most fatal. |
| Questions about the usefulness of sunscreen for protecting against both UVB and deeper-penetrating UVA rays have fueled concerns. Dr. Morton finds that People wear sunscreen and think they can stay outside foreverbut sunscreen doesnt stay on forever.
You need to cover every area, and reapply it. The problem is, how do you quantify how much sunscreen you really are wearing and how much sun protection is provided? Skin specialists advise using a sunscreen with at least an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15. And while sunscreen may indeed offer some skin protection, Dr. Morton points out that the SPF index measures a products ability to prevent burning and redness of the skin not the more serious radiation damage to skin cell DNA. What I tell my patients is that they should never, ever get sunburned. They should stay out of the sun during the most intense part of the day from 10 to 2, avoid tanning, and wear protective clothing and hats. Dr. Morton advises patients to wear sun-protective clothing, use sunscreen liberally reapplying when in and out of the water - and avoid sunburn at all costs. Most people don't realize cumulative sun damage causes your skin to become less elastic, thicker and scarred. If you have fair skin, the pasty look is good for you--as you get older, you will actually look younger. JWCI scientists are working to improve the staging of skin cancer (coordinating the Multicenter Trial of Selective Lymphadenectomy in Melanoma), as well as studying immunotherapies. Still, early detection is crucially important, Dr. Morton asserts. Melanomas that are detected early are highly curable with surgery alone, he says. Only melanomas which are ignored become a problem. He recommends that adults inspect themselves regularly for unusual moles or skin growths, and have anything suspicious examined by a physician. |
