1. Jacki,

Thank you so much for again emphasizing the importance of screening for skin cancer. The survival rate from melanoma which causes 75 percent of skin cancer deaths is directly related to the size at time of diagnosis. We have screening procedures in place for colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer, but it is time we have clear recommendations for everyone to be screened for skin cancer.

I also applaud your comments to cover up. Sunscreen has not been shown conclusively to lower the risk of skin cancer, and in fact, in countries such as Australia where sunscreen use is the norm, the rate of melanoma continues to skyrocket. On the same note, the risk of melanoma is now one in eighty-four, up from an incidence of only one in 1500 in 1935, a time when sunscreen was not available.

Cover up, avoid being in the sun between 11AM and 3PM, and make sure skin cancer screening is part of your health maintenance protocol, along with mammograms and PSA's.

Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com

Posted at 1:55PM on Mar 4th 2007 by Lynne Eldridge M.D.

2.
It seems like there are some new ways of treating skin cancer (non surgical & natural). ..
I found this informative slide show on skin cancer treatment. Takes about a minute to watch..

http://www.filmloop.com/cgi-bin/bv/bv.py?ticket=EwSwq7cp6SgGjX02wDRW/Brn4L6y8HJZ&flash=1&extAds=1&px=FL

Posted at 8:46AM on Mar 5th 2007 by Salinda

3. Dear Cancer Blog Readers:

It is fabulous to see that The Cancer Blog is trying to provide up-to-date, and accurate, sun protection information to its serious, concerned, and health conscious readers.

Thank you very much "Cancer Blog", for your March 3, 2007 article, "Marcia Cross chosen as Olay skin cancer prevention partner", describing the vitally important "2007 Cancer Takes Friends Program", and that Program's goal of educating the American public about skin cancer, and backing up its educational efforts with hands-on skin-cancer screening in communities across the U.S.A.

This Comment is intended to inform the American public that there is now an important, many would say an essential, new, inexpensive OTC product available in sun protection and short- and long-term prevention of dermatologic disease. The name of the new product is Heliocare.

Scientifically and clinically proven to inhibit and prevent sunburn; to significantly mitigate the skin-damaging effects of both UVB and UVA wavelengths of the sun; and to preserve healthy skin in the long-term Heliocare sun protection capsules are a revolutinary new and clincially proven-effective development in the battle against serious dermatologic diseases caused by short- and long-term exposure to the sun.

Heliocare's manifold benefits in protecting against the dangers of sunburn [esp. in youth] has been conclusively proven in a clinical trial reported and published in the December 2004 issue of "The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology", titled "Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract ("Heliocare") decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin," J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Dec;51(6):910-8. Specifically, this important clinical report found, and I quote, that "A significant decrease in erythema (i.e. sun burn) was found in PL-treated skin (P < .01). Histologically, PL-treated biopsy specimens showed less sunburn cells...."

To millions of Americans (esp. American youth), Heliocare, the systemic (oral) sun protection capsule referred to in the article, is simply a product too important in the prevention of sun-related skin damage and disease not to be brought to the attention of "The Cancer Blog" readers.

In every way, this "Cancer Blog" story is timely, accurate, and helpful. Thank you for getting the word out about skin cancer and the importance of regular self-examination and screening. Equally important is sun protection and cancer prevention. As the "Comment" above notes, topical sunscreen lotions have clearly not been enough to stem the steadily rising (2-3%/year) of skin cancers of all types, including the rising incidence of malignant melanomas in ever-younger age groups.

1 -2 capsules/day of Heliocare + application of an inexpensive sunscreen lotion (e.g. "No-Ad Ultra @ $8.99/16oz bottle) is the best sun protection available on the market. Effective, easy to use, and complete [Heliocare, which "works from the inside out", protects all skin sites from the sun).

Heliocare sun protection capsules are an essential component, @ 80 cents/day (1 capsule + inexpensive sunscreen lotion = 3.5 hours sun protection; 2 capsules + inexpensive sunscreen lotion = 7.0 hours sun protection), of a complete and effective sun protection program for indiviuals and families, especially the youth of America.

SOME BACKGROUND AND FACTS RE: HELIOCARE:

Heliocare, a revolutionary and breakthrough systemic (oral) photoprotectant (sun protection)and photoimmunoprotectant (cellular and DNA damage in the skin) product was developed (1992-2004] at Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital by a Team of the worlds' leading dermatologists.

Heliocare was nationally launched in December 2005. It is now available in all major chain pharmacies [you need to ask for it at the pharmacist counter], and it is recommended and dispensed by many of America's top dermatologists, dermatologic & plastic surgeons, and pediatric dermatologists: for the prevention of sunburn, the prevention of wrinkles and photoaging, and the prevention of skin diseases associated with overexposure to the sun.It is just fabulous that Americans are taking notice of this breakthrough systemic (oral) sun protection capsule, HELIOCARE.

For the first time, Moms and Dads can assure that their families - - - especially their active children and teenagers, often over-exposed and inadequately protected from harmful UV radiation - - - are protected by the complementary sun protection provided by one capsule daily of Heliocare. Compare that cost to comparable protection by sunscreen lotions, and you can see why Heliocare is "no-brainer" complementary sun protection.Heliocare is a breakthrough sun protection product, developed over 12 years at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital by some of the worlds' leading dermatologists.Two important Heliocare clincial trials, conducted at Harvard/MGH, have been published recently in the premier U.S.A. dermatology journal, The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The results of these clinical trials were dramatic; and have proved that, in several critical ways, Heliocare has significant photoprotective and photoimmunoprotective effects (preventing sunburn & photoaging; and significantly boosting the skin's ability to maintain healthy functioning at the cellular level):

See, "Oral Polypodium leucotomos extract (Heliocare) decreases ultraviolet-induced damage of human skin. " 2004 Dec;51(6):910-8.

The Heliocare clinical trials have additionally proven that Heliocare nearly completely mitigates the harmful effects of the UVA wavelengths of the sun - - and despite the claims of the new topical sunscreen lotions "Anthelios" and "Helioplex", far too much UVA is getting through the topical sunscreens - - - Heliocare "mops up", mitigates, and absorbs the UVA-potentiated skin dysfunctions at the skin's cellular level. UVA that would otherwise wreak havoc on the skin through continued exposure (UVA sun wavelengths are equally strong all year round).

See, "Orally administered Polypodium leucotomos extract (Heliocare) decreases psoralen-UVA-induced phototoxicity, pigmentation, and damage of human skin." 2004 Jan;50(1):41-9.

Heliocare stands alone as the product of serious scientists and world-leading clinicians. Heliocare's scientific basis and its mechanism of action are proven in rigorous, peer-reviewed and published papers in the premier dermatologic journals in the U.S.A. Heliocare's clincial efficacy in the prevention of skin disease (and its precursors) has not only been demonstrated the clinical trials conducted at Harvard/MGH; Heliocare's effectiveness is proven every day by the 1000s of Americans who use it - - - since Heliocare's national launch in December 2005, the steady stream of testimonials from satisfied patients and consumers daily reinforces Heliocare's worth and value.

As Dr. Joel Schlessinger, M.D., President of The American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, stated in August 2006: "Heliocare -- a pill taken once daily -- offers superb baseline protection and may make the difference between a burn and no burn for your child or yourself," said Dr. Schlessinger. "This product was developed at Harvard University and acts as a super-antioxidant to prevent and repair damage from sun exposure. While it's not meant to be used alone, it can help protect areas of the skin that may be missed while applying sunscreen."

Heliocare is sun protection "from the inside out" - - protecting all skin sites; not only that skin unprotected or inadequately protected by topical sunscreen lotions [e.g. the back; behind the ears].

Heliocare is especially important sun protection for American youth: ages 12 - 22. Dermatologists agree that 60%-80% of a person's lifetime dose of sun is received before the age of 18. With the incidence of skin cancers rising at an alarming rate in the U.S.A. (1.5 million NEW cases per year), and with the reality that American youth [ages 12 - 22] are either unwilling or blithe to the need to protect themselves from excessive sun exposure, Heliocare is essential, basic, effective sun protection.

A September 2006 survey [Weinstock et al] in the prestigious scientific journal "Pediatrics" alarmingly reports that only 33% of teenagers regularly use sunscreen lotion, and that over 70% of teenagers report receiving at least one severe sunburn each Summer! (from, "Pediatrics"; Vol. 118 No. 3: September 2006, pp 853-864).

By adding (all year round in warm sunny climates of the Sun Belt, and from March to November in Northern latitudes) one capsule of Heliocare to their teenagers regimen at breakfast/before soccer practice or after-school outdoor activities, Moms and Dads can ensure basic sun protection for even the most sunscreen lotion-averse teenagers. While still allowing their youth some, healthier tanning.
Numerous, leading American dermatologists across the U.S.A. now recommend Heliocare to their patients as effective sun protection and for the prevention of skin damage and disease.

U.S.A.-Heliocare has been sold in the U.S.A. for one year. In five years, Heliocare will be a "household word" and well along its way to achieving the goal of the dedicated Harvard/MGH scientists and clinicians who developed this revolutionary sun protection in a capsule - - - improving health, improving appearance, and saving lives.

Enjoy the outdoors and the sunny weather - - - and please protect yourselves and your children from the dangers of overexposure to the sun. Please add Heliocare to your and your family's sun protection "kit".

Thanks very much for reading my post.

L. Scott Fitzpatrick

Posted at 10:14AM on Mar 13th 2007 by L. Scott Fitzpatrick