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Melanoma - Metastatic News
How Safe and Effective Is Your Sunscreen?
Posted 7 days ago by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 – It may be easier than ever to find sunscreen with all the right stuff, but be sure to read the label or you could still get burned. Most sunscreens sold at major U.S. retailers and their websites now offer broad-spectrum protection, are water-resistant and have an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends, a new study found. But more than a third of sunscreens sold by several of the nation's largest retailers fell short. Forty-one percent of sunscreens did not meet all three recommendations, researchers from the University of Miami and University of Michigan reported. Tanning and bronzing products, in particular, tended to be lacking, the researchers said. In a follow-up to a 2014 study, the researchers checked more than 470 sunscreens available at big pharmacy websites to see if they met the AAD ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Coppertone, Deeptan
Cancer Takes Financial Toll, Even With Insurance
Posted 8 days ago by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2017 – Many cancer patients in the United States are shocked by their out-of-pocket costs for care – with some spending one-third of their income on treatment, a new study finds. The study looked at the financial toll of cancer treatment on people who have health insurance. The vast majority in the study had private insurance or Medicare coverage; the rest were on Medicaid, the government insurance program for poor Americans. Despite that, the study found, patients typically spent nearly $600 a month on their treatment. Overall, 16 percent said they were facing "high or overwhelming financial distress." Those patients were spending nearly one-third of their monthly income on cancer care. Dr. Yousuf Zafar, the senior researcher on the study, used the term "financial toxicity." "Oncologists talk about the toxicities of cancer treatment. But there can also be a ... Read more
Related support groups: Anxiety and Stress, Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Skin Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer, Melanoma - Metastatic, Stomach Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Choriocarcinoma
Melanoma Isn't the Only Serious Skin Cancer
Posted 27 Jul 2017 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, July 27, 2017 – A type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is increasingly common in the United States, so people need to be alert for signs of the disease, an expert says. About 700,000 new cases of this skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. "While other skin cancers may be more lethal, they're less common than squamous cell carcinoma," said Dr. M. Laurin Council, an assistant professor of dermatology at Washington University in St. Louis. This type of cancer is highly treatable when detected early, "so it's important for people to know the signs of this disease and keep a close eye on their skin," Council added in a news release from the American Academy of Dermatology. Possible signs of squamous cell carcinoma include a pink or white bump; a rough, scaly patch; or a sore that won't heal, ... Read more
Related support groups: Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer, Deeptan, Coppertone
FDA Expands Approval of Yervoy (ipilimumab) to Include Pediatric Patients 12 Years and Older with Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma
Posted 25 Jul 2017 by Drugs.com
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE) July 24, 2017 --Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the indication for Yervoy (ipilimumab) injection for intravenous use to now include the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. Yervoy was evaluated in two trials of pediatric patients: a dose-finding study in 33 patients aged two to 21 years with relapsed or refractory solid tumors and an open-label, single-arm trial in 12 adolescents (ages ranging from 12 to 16 years) with previously treated or untreated, unresectable Stage 3 or 4 malignant melanoma. The overall safety profile of Yervoy in children and adolescents was consistent with the safety profile in adults, and similarities in disease between adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older allow for ... Read more
Related support groups: Cancer, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Melanoma - Metastatic, Yervoy, Ipilimumab
Smart Steps for Sun Protection
Posted 17 Jul 2017 by Drugs.com
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 – You know you're supposed to slather on a high-SPF sunscreen before going out in the sun, but these five steps will help you double up on that protection. First, it's important to know that there are two types of harmful ultraviolet rays. UVA rays cause lasting skin damage and aging. UVB rays cause sunburn along with skin damage. Both can lead to skin cancer, so your sunscreen should protect against both. Look for the word "broad-spectrum" on the label. Next, you want to check out the ingredients. Sun protection products may contain chemical and/or physical sunscreens. Most products use chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone, that absorb damaging UV rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are physical sunscreens. They sit on the skin and reflect and diffuse UV rays. They also work right away, unlike chemical sunscreens – it can take 30 minutes before they're ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Coppertone, Deeptan
Parkinson's Disease and Melanoma May Occur Together, Study Finds
Posted 7 Jul 2017 by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, July 7, 2017 – People with Parkinson's disease are about four times more likely to develop melanoma skin cancer, and conversely, people with melanoma have a fourfold higher risk of getting Parkinson's, researchers report. Although doctors have known about the connection between these diseases, they still don't know why having one increases the risk of the other. "Future research should focus on identifying common genes, immune responses and environmental exposures that may link these two diseases," said study first author Dr. Lauren Dalvin, who's with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "If we can pinpoint the cause of the association between Parkinson's disease and melanoma, we will be better able to counsel patients and families about their risk of developing one disease in the setting of the other," she said in a Mayo news release. Parkinson's disease is a progressive brain ... Read more
Related support groups: Parkinson's Disease, Melanoma, Melanoma - Metastatic, Parkinsonian Tremor, Parkinsonism, Parkinson's Disease Psychosis
Melanoma Biopsy Results Can Differ, Worrying Patients
Posted 29 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, June 29, 2017 – Joann Elmore is a doctor, so when her dermatologist said her skin biopsy indicated possible melanoma, she knew just what to do – get a follow-up biopsy to verify. But she got two polar-opposite diagnoses, leaving her anxious and uncertain. One pathologist declared it benign, while the other called it suspicious for invasive melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. "It showed me what patients go through," said Elmore, a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. "It sort of made me realize that in much of what we do, there is an art and it is subjective." Pathologists can vary widely when assessing skin biopsies for melanoma, particularly when the case is not clear-cut, according to a study led by Elmore. When asked to repeatedly assess the same set of cases, pathologists often disagreed with one another and, sometimes, themselves. ... Read more
Related support groups: Melanoma, Melanoma - Metastatic, Diagnosis and Investigation, History - Skin Cancer
Can You Recognize the Signs of Skin Cancer?
Posted 28 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, June 28, 2017 – With skin cancer the most common type of cancer in the United States, you should learn to spot its early signs, a cancer doctor says. "Early detection is key. When detected early, most skin cancers may be effectively treated and are often curable," said Dr. Jeffrey Farma, a surgical oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. "Individuals play an important role in early detection," Farma said in a center news release. "By being familiar with your own skin markings, like moles, freckles and blemishes, you're likely to notice any changes." His recommendation: Have your skin checked yearly by a physician or dermatologist, and check your own skin for signs of skin cancer by using a mirror every month. Using the ABCDE rule of skin cancer can help identify potential problems, including the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma, he said. A for ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Coppertone, Deeptan
Protect Your Skin From the Summer Sun
Posted 27 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
TUESDAY, June 27, 2017 – Lots of people like that sun-kissed look on their skin, but experts caution against any tanning at all. "There's no such thing as a healthy tan. Tanning is a sign of skin damage," said Dr. Ross Levy, chief of dermatology at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y. He explained that "sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that trigger changes in the DNA of skin cells. Most of the time the body's immune system tracks down these mutations and repairs them, but occasionally the damage is missed and skin cancer takes hold. The more sun you are exposed to, the greater your risk." To protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays, wear long-sleeve shirts, pants and a wide-brimmed hat. At the pool or beach, wear a swim shirt or rash guard that is rated for sun protection. Limit your time outdoors when the sun is directly overhead and its rays are strongest, ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer, Coppertone, Deeptan
A Baby's Skin No Match for the Sun
Posted 23 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, June 23, 2017 – Want to help protect your children from skin cancer as they get older? Make sure they never get a serious sunburn in childhood. Just one blistering burn as a child or teen nearly doubles the risk of getting melanoma, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. "Sun protection is important at every stage of life, including infancy. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma," said pediatric dermatologist Sheila Fallon Friedlander. She's a professor of pediatrics and dermatology at the University of California, San Diego. "Keep sun-safety items near the front door, in your car and in your diaper bag so that you always have them ready when you're on the go," Fallon Friedlander recommended in an American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) news release. Other tips from Fallon Friedlander and the AAD include: Dress your baby ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer, Coppertone, Deeptan
Many Tanning Salons Defy Legal Age Limits on Users
Posted 16 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, June 16, 2017 – Many indoor tanning salons in the United States would let underage customers tan despite government bans, a new study finds. "Enacting well-crafted age restriction laws to maximize compliance through enforcement of penalties on the state level and moving towards a national ban with similar accompanying strong enforcement . . . [is] essential to reduce skin cancer risk in the vulnerable youth population," said study leader Leah Ferrucci. She is an associate research scientist in epidemiology and a lecturer at the Yale School of Public Health. For the study, researchers posing as underage consumers phoned tanning salons in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia. All had banned indoor tanning by anyone under age 17 or 18 at the time of the study. ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer
Have Scientists Created a Safe, Sun-Free Tan?
Posted 14 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
WEDNESDAY, June 14, 2017 – Many people would love to have a natural-looking golden tan, but know that soaking up the sun raises their risk of skin cancer. Now scientists say they've developed a way to tan without exposure to damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In laboratory tests, the researchers used the technique to increase pigmentation in human skin samples. And while science done at this early stage sometimes doesn't pan out in humans, the researchers remain hopeful. "The activation of the tanning/pigmentation pathway by this new class of small molecules is physiologically identical to UV-induced pigmentation without the DNA-damaging effects of UV," study leader Dr. David Fisher said in a Massachusetts General Hospital news release. Fisher is chief of dermatology at the hospital in Boston. "We need to conduct safety studies, which are always essential with potential new treatment ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Sunburn, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Prevention of Sunburn, History - Skin Cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Coppertone, Deeptan
With Summer Sun Comes Heightened Skin Cancer Risk
Posted 11 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
SUNDAY, June 11, 2017 – Summer beckons, and with those sunny skies comes a warning to protect yourself from skin cancer. "Skin cancer, like all types of cancer, is capable of destroying healthy tissue and spreading to distant body sites," said Dr. C. Blake Phillips, a fellow in the University of Alabama at Birmingham department of dermatology. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's important to take steps to prevent it and to recognize the early signs. "If undetected or untreated, skin cancers lead to loss of vital functions or death. It is important to keep an eye on your skin and watch for changes that could be a sign of skin cancer," Phillips added. Most skin cancers occur due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources, such as tanning beds, said Phillips. To ... Read more
Related support groups: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Sunscreen, Melanoma - Metastatic, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, History - Skin Cancer, Deeptan, Coppertone
Is Full Lymph Node Removal Always Needed for Melanoma?
Posted 8 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
THURSDAY, June 8, 2017 – Removing all lymph nodes in the vicinity of a melanoma skin cancer may not increase a patient's overall chances for survival, a new study concludes. This invasive procedure – called complete lymph node dissection – is a standard but hotly debated treatment for melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. For the study, investigators tracked more than 1,900 melanoma patients around the world. They found that complete lymph node removal was no better than less extensive surgery and observation for extending survival. "I think many more patients will decide to go with observation now, rather than immediate complete lymph node dissection," said study author Dr. Mark Faries. The findings may help clear up decades of debate regarding how best to employ lymph node removals, said Faries, co-director of the melanoma program at Angeles Clinic and Research Institute in ... Read more
Related support groups: Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Melanoma - Metastatic, History - Skin Cancer
Dark Skin No Shield From Deadly Skin Cancer
Posted 2 Jun 2017 by Drugs.com
FRIDAY, June 2, 2017 – Contrary to what many believe, dark skin doesn't offer protection against deadly melanomas, an expert warns. This type of skin cancer can be affected by genetics and is far more likely to develop on sun-protected areas of the body in blacks, Hispanics and even Asians, according to researcher Dr. Arthur Rhodes. He's director of the Melanoma Surveillance Clinic at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. "The misconception that the sun is responsible for all cases of melanoma leads to lower survival rates because of delayed diagnosis, particularly among people of color," Rhodes said in a Rush news release. Only 10 to 15 percent of melanomas are caused by excessive sun exposure, typically in heavily freckled and sun-damaged skin, he noted. A 2016 American Academy of Dermatology study found that while melanoma incidence is higher in whites, death rates from the ... Read more
Related support groups: Melanoma, Skin Cancer, Melanoma - Metastatic, Diagnosis and Investigation, History - Skin Cancer
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