Search Results for: blog skin cancer and the runner

Is Your Toddler at Risk For Skin Cancer?

Are you slathering enough sunscreen on your toddler during these hot summer months? You might consider applying more sunblock more often during the course of the day if your tot has freckles on his upper back. Freckles are just one of six new factors that increase the likelihood of skin cancer, according to melanoma experts. The five other new factors include: *A family history of skin cancer *Overexposure to the sun *Having red or blonde hair *Previous sunburns that have caused patches of scaly skin *Several severe sunburns According to skin cancer experts, having one of the factors increases the … Continue reading →

Facts about Canine Cancer

The brochure I picked up for Chase Away K9 Cancer was chock full of interesting information. There were a lot of facts about canine cancer that I wanted to share. Veterinary experts estimate that as many as one out of every three dogs will get some form of cancer. That’s a very high (and scary) percentage. Look at it this way: I’ve had three dogs (Miko, Lally, and Moose). Odds are, one of them will experience cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in dogs. More facts about canine cancer: Approximately HALF of all dogs over the age … Continue reading →

Celebrities and Skin Cancer

Being a self-professed “tanaholic” (blame it on the fact that I was born and raised in Hawaii) I often worry that my days of basting (with baby oil) and baking as a teen might come back to haunt me. These days every time I notice an irregular mole or a raised freckle I speed dial my dermatologist. It doesn’t matter that now (years later) as a mother I am extremely vigilant about protecting my skin (and my family’s), the damage is done. All I can do now is hope and pray that I didn’t sustain irreparable damage. And I know … Continue reading →

Two Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanomas and nonmelanomas. Melanoma is a cancer of the melanin cells — the skin cells that give your skin a tan or brown color. Melanin also helps protect your skin from the sun. Melanoma is diagnosed on a scale of I to IV. The early stages — stage I and stage II — are usually localized. Removing the cancer often cures the patient completely. The five year survival rate for a stage I or stage II melanoma is 99 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. Advanced melanomas — stage III and stage … Continue reading →

Skin Cancer and Your Diet

I’m at high risk for contracting skin cancer. It’s a fact I live with everyday. Consequently, I am always on the lookout for new information regarding skin cancer. Like most of you I realize the single best way to protect your skin (and prevent cancer) is to avoid sunburn. I adhere to all of my doctor’s warnings… I wear a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses. I find a shady spot when I am at outdoor events and I slather on the sunscreen even if I am only going to be out in the sun for a little while. Now I’m … Continue reading →

New Hope For Those With Skin Cancer

In previous blogs I noted that I am at high risk for skin cancer. I grew up in Hawaii long before “UVA,” “UVB,” and “SPF” were regularly used in conversations about sun exposure. Instead, the only thing I applied to my skin prior to venturing out in the hot Hawaiian sun was baby oil. As a result, I’ve suffered many serious burns and have had to visit the dermatologist on several occasions. Who knew my efforts to achieve a “healthy” golden glow would lead to my current situation of diligently conducting self-skin examinations on a daily basis? I know way … Continue reading →

How To Do A Skin Exam

Do you know how often you’re supposed to do a full-body skin check? Once a month. Do you know how many women in America actually DO a monthly full-body skin check? Less than a quarter. That’s maybe one in four women actually doing a monthly skin exam. If you think a skin exam is complicated or difficult, you’re thinking wrong. A skin exam is a quick and easy (and mostly visual) check — and surely you can spare ten minutes a month to prevent skin cancer! Get naked. Can’t look at your skin with your clothes on, unless you’re Superman. … Continue reading →

Cancer Sniffing Dogs

Your four-legged best friend could someday save your life. Since 1989, doctors have been collecting evidence that dogs can indeed sniff out cancer. The first published case involved a woman whose dog kept sniffing at a mole on her leg. Eventually she went to her doctor to discover that the mole was a malignant skin cancer! By 2004, doctors were able to train dogs to sniff out bladder cancer in patient urine samples. In 2006, a study showed that dogs could detect lung cancer and breast cancer just by smelling a person’s breath! After working with a trainer and samples … Continue reading →

Tip of the Day- Do a Skin Assessment

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t like to think about what I really look like without my clothes on. Naked assessments of my body are something I generally try to avoid. The only advice I have to offer is to concentrate on the skin, and not how much there is of it. Why am I even asking you to do this? Because, I want you to live a long and healthy life. Each year more than one million people will find out they have skin cancer. Ten thousand people will die from it. The sun and genetics … Continue reading →

Skin Cancer and the Runner

I grew up in Hawaii baking on white and black sand beaches. When it comes to skin cancer I can either be considered an “expert”… or a potential victim. (The latter obviously begets the former.) Nowadays I actively search out any and all new information regarding skin cancer (cancer in general) and recently stumbled upon a new report in the Archives of Dermatology, which addressed skin cancer and its relationship to people who run marathons. Considering I run marathons and have spent the past 8 years trying to undo (not possible) the effects of—GASP—slathering baby oil on my skin prior … Continue reading →