Combating Skin Cancer: The Most Common Cancer

Skin Cancer Care

More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year, making skin cancer the most common of all cancers. But it is also the most preventable. So since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Marcy Street of Doctor's Approach Dermatology and Laser Center and the first African American female trained in Mohs micrographic surgery " a specialized form of skin cancer treatment - offers the following knowledge to keep your skin healthy in 2006.

"Protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Not only can repeated sunburns increase your likelihood of getting cancer, tanning your skin is dangerous," says Dr. Street. "People don't realize that tanning causes cellular damage to your skin, even if you have tawny or olive complexion. Over a long period of time, this damage will add up and can predispose you to skin cancer."

Actinic keratoses (AKs) is a skin disease that results from many years of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Since AKs often go unnoticed, they can grow and multiply, forming large patches of white, scaly lesions. Overexposure to sunlight can further irritate the AKs, causing the damaged skin cells to grow at an abnormally fast rate. If left untreated, they may eventually develop into skin cancer.

"Many people think that skin cancers can only develop from existing moles," says Dr. Street. "However, skin cancer often springs from what appears to be normal, healthy skin."

Not only does Dr. Street use liquid nitrogen to treat pre-cancers (or AKs), she also treats them with a two-step process involving a topical solution called Levulan Kerastick coupled with blue light therapy. The topical solution is applied to the precancerous lesions and allowed to absorb into the skin for an hour. This makes the lesions more sensitive to light. The AKs are then exposed to a special blue light which destroys the precancerous cells in the skin. Dr. Street says in 2 out of 3 cases, this method clears 100% of AKs.

The two most common forms of skin cancer are Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Basal Cell Carcinoma usually appear as a small, shiny, pearly, or fleshy growth which may eventually form an open sore and bleed. Squamous Cell Carcinoma often appear as a scaly, red growth. In both cases, Dr. Street says removal of the skin cancer is essential.

"The most effective and successful removal technique for skin cancer is Mohs micrographic surgery, which I trained in during a fellowship at the University of Wisconsin," says Dr. Street. "Mohs relies on the precision and accuracy of a microscope to trace and ensure the removal of skin cancer down to the roots."

Dr. Street has used Mohs to remove thousands of skin cancers and has found it is especially effective in skin cancers that are in high risk locations (eyelids, ears, nose, etc.) or have re-occurred after previous treatment. Since the surgery is done in layers, it ensures that all of the cancerous tissue is removed and the healthy skin is left intact. Not only does this reduce the chance of scarring, it offers an exceptionally high cure rate.

Tips to help avoid skin cancer:

• Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15-30. Since 80% of the sun's rays can penetrate the clouds, use sunscreen every day.

• Put on sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside to give it a chance to absorb. Don't forget key areas like the nose, ears and tops of feet. Reapply after swimming.

• Protect your lips by using a lip balm with sunscreen. Skin cancer on the lips sometime tends to be more aggressive.

• Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Exposure to the sun can lead to the development of cataracts.

• Avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. " 2 p.m. when the sun's rays are most harmful.

Another line of defense is early detection. People should conduct regular self exams as well as get checkups by a dermatologist to make sure strange marks or new moles aren't cancerous.

Dr. Marcy Street is a board certified dermatologist and founder of Doctor's Approach Skin & Hair Care Products. For more information please visit www.doctorsapproach.com