Skin Cancer Expert HealthGal shares Skin Cancer management news and commentary at SkinCancerConnection.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003 http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003 http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/43318/confused-skin Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:43:00 -0000 HealthGal Whenever I write or talk about skin cancer, I always use the Australians as an example of a nation that had a high rate of skin cancer and through a series of very smart marketing and targeted messaging, managed to literally heal a nation.  Their skin cancer rates plummeted over a several year period, and children as young as two and three know to slather on the sunblock.   We here in the US, are certainly becoming aware of... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/43318/confused-skin http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/41983/governor-house Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:50:00 -0000 HealthGal Yes, I want to keep the political arena talking about political topics and issues - really important issues BUT please tell me that this story floating around out there involving Sarah Palin and her purchase of a used tanning bed (with her own money) for the Governor's mansion is false - a fable - an urban myth - please, please don't tell me it's true.  Because whether we like it or not - she is now in a bigger arena and some of what... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/41983/governor-house http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/40583/winter-arrive Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:13:00 -0000 HealthGal We talk you to death - pun very much intended - when it comes to summertime and sun protection -  but what about during the winter months?  You cannot have a cavalier attitude, even though we do tend to cover up much more.  Think about it, though.  Your face, sometimes ears and hands are still exposed AND when you're sitting in traffic or in an office with windows - you are getting sun exposure.  and unprotected sun... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/40583/winter-arrive http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/39670/smell-cancer Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:29:09 -0000 HealthGal Physicians have long since used "smell" to make diagnoses - you can smell necrotic, dying tissue; you can smell an infectious, pus filled exudate; you can smell the by-products of certain drugs in your urine; you can smell someone who has been on the Atkin's diet long term (their breath has ketones in it because of the high protein intake).  Well....you can also smell certain skin cancers!!   Basal cell carcinomas apparently give off... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/39670/smell-cancer http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/38359/risk-melanoma Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:33:00 -0000 HealthGal Here's an interesting approach to sun exposure and its dangers. Take a powerful antioxidant in anticipation of a day at the beach or a day of prolonged sun exposure to reduce oxidative damage to moles that might be highly receptive to cancerous changes. NAC (n-acetylcysteine) is a unique drug because it is inexpensive, has relatively few side effects, has a short serum half life (meaning it clears out of the bloodstream rather quickly) and... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/38359/risk-melanoma http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/37840/skin-detection Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:55:00 -0000 HealthGal An ongoing research project that has just been awarded a substantial grant is working on a device that uses light to detect skin cancers.  Why is this a big deal?  Because this technology can help patients avoid invasive biopsies.  The technology is now in a Phase II clinical trial and the technology is really amazing.   The tip of a pen-size probe emits a weak pulses of light onto skin or tissue and the light pulses are... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/37840/skin-detection http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/37575/moisturizer Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:10:00 -0000 HealthGal We are told by dermatologists and experts, that avoiding the sun and keeping skin well-hydrated are two keys to fighting anti-aging.  And here's a tip - when you do moisturize, it is best to apply the cream, lotion or oil to slightly moist skin.  Unfortunately, new research shows that the very moisturizers we are applying daily just might be putting us at a heightened risk for skin cancer.  A study in Investigative Dermatology... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/37575/moisturizer http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/37214/talk-deceptive Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:12:00 -0000 HealthGal The Indoor Tanning Association is mounting a print and TV campaign in 7 major cities claiming that there is no "conclusive evidence" that links tanning to melanomas.  The Association represents indoor tanning salons and the maker of tanning beds and they are citing studies that show that sun exposure actually elevates levels of vitamin D which helps to increase survival rates in certain cancers.  The campaign will target cities... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/37214/talk-deceptive http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/36274/damage-sunburn Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:28:00 -0000 HealthGal Sit in the sun from childhood through adulthood and then some, for enough hours and you will likely accumulate an awful lot of visible and invisible sun damage.  One particular skin issue that may arise are red or brown crusty,flaky areas or yellowed spots, usually found on the face and scalp called actinic keratoses.  They are the precursors to skin cancers.  The newest treatment for these skin abnormalities?  You... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/36274/damage-sunburn http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/35072/protection Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:30:00 -0000 HealthGal Let's be clear - sun blocks are excellent helpers when it comes to avoiding the negative outcomes from excessive exposure to the sun's harmful rays BUT they aren't all created equal and many fall short.  If your lotion has an SPF of 15 - it means it will block up to 94% of the UV light.  The residual light that does "get through" can produce free radicals - highly reactive molecules that can cause cell damage.&nbsp... http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-cancer/c/41003/35072/protection