Skin Cancer Prevention

STOP Skin Cancer before it STARTS

Cancer is a terrible diagnosis in any situation and we all know someone who has been diagnosed with some sort of cancer. But did you know what the most common form of cancer is????

YOU GUESSED IT! -  SKIN CANCER

Here are a few quick statistics about skin cancer to help you wrap your mind around just how common it is:

• There are more new cases of skin cancer each year than breast, prostate, lung, and colon COMBINED!
• In the last 30 years, more people have had skin cancer than ALL OTHER CANCERS COMBINED!
• 1 in 5 Americans WILL BE DIAGNOSED with skin cancer in their lifetime. 

**And not all skin cancer is easily removable or treatable. Melanoma is often deadly!

Prevention can be SO EASY so here are a few quick tips:

1. Seek shade

• Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the sun's rays are the brightest and strongest. If you are outside for any reason, simply seek shade to avoid sun damage to your skin.
• Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and a hat!

2. DO NOT TAN

• UV rays cause skin cancer and wrinkling of the skin

3. Wear sunscreen (*Correctly)

• Reapply every 2 hoursGenerously apply 15 minutes before exposure 
• Wear SPF 30 or higher for protection against UVA and UVB rays

4. Watch out for Snow, Water, and Sand

• Really? Yes! These surfaces all reflect the sun's rays making it easier to burn and exposing your skin to double the amount of damaging UV rays.

5. Self Check and Visit your Doctor

• Self-examine and watch out for changing moles or dark spots
• See your doctor regularly and point out places of concern to check
• Early Detection can be life-saving!!!!

So before you head outdoors or think about laying in the sun all day - remember these tips and protect yourself from the most common cancer in the country!

References

National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. (n.d.) Skin cancer prevention tips. Retrieved from http://www.skincancerprevention.org/skin-cancer/prevention-tips

Skin Cancer Foundation (2016, June 8). Skin cancer facts and statistics. Retrieved from http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts

Skin Healthy Diet

Caring for your skin with FOOD! 

Eating healthy affects all aspects of your health. Maintaining healthy weight, preventing heart disease, keeping your digestive tract moving correctly are all effects of a healthy diet and eating right, but did you know that there are foods that are healthy for your SKIN??

Ok, so you may have known that already but in this post I would like to discuss foods proven to be healthy for clearer, firmer skin as well as food that is best for acne and aging. 

According to Cleveland Clinic, there are about 23 foods that are best to keep you healthy on the inside, therefore keeping you healthy on the outside. They split these foods into a few categories that we will discuss in this post. Get excited :)

For firmer skin (Who doesn't want that??):

1. Fish 

(Almost all kinds but especially Tuna, Salmon, Sardines, and Trout!)

 The Omega 3 fatty acids are what helps to keep collagen in the skin firm.

2. Plants

**Don't go outside and start eating dandelions yet****

Once again, plant-based foods contain Omega-3's that are amazing for your skin. Some of the best foods in this category include walnuts, spinach, mustard greens, canola oil, and anything with soy!

For protection (against sun damage and more!)
1. Tomatoes **They get their own special section!**
Tomatoes are a very versatile food that can be put into all kinds of dishes. They contain lycopene (an antioxidant) that keeps skin smooth. Smooth skin helps protect it from damage.

2. Other fruits and veggies
Fruits and veggies contain antioxidants and lots of vitamins! Vitamin C and vitamin E most importantly. These vitamins help your skin to fight wrinkles and allow your skin to defend against sun damage (****NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SUNSCREEN*******. The absolute best foods in this category include strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. 

Also - KALE! Kale actually neutralizes free radicals from UV exposure to protect your skin. SO COOL

3. Dark Chocolate (YAY!)

As long as the dark chocolate you choose is between 60%-70% cocoa, the flavonals will reduce rough skin and protect from the SUN (devil emoji). EAT SPARINGLY! A few ounces a day should do it!!




There you have it everyone! Eat these foods and you can look forward to healthier skin and a healthier life!

Most IMPORTANTLY - Stay away from too much SUGAR! (another devil emoji) Sugar is key in producing fat throughout the body and is equally bad for skin (increased acne production/oils) 

The next post will talk more about skin health prevention, especially from skin cancer and sun damage.

References:

Jeffers, L. (2015, December 1). 23 foods that are good for your skin. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/12/23-foods-good-skin/

Girdwain, J. (2013, November 6). 25 best foods for your skin. Retrieved from http://www.prevention.com/beauty/25-best-foods-for-your-skin

Tanning Terror

When I think of skin health, the first thing that comes to mind is 

Tanning Beds.

My aunt (let's call her Jane) had skin cancer most likely from tanning bed use four different times. Four. Different. Times!

Why would "Jane" keep tanning? Here are a few ideas I've come up with:

1. Social pressures and vanity can be more valuable to her than the possible    health risks.

   Here is a picture I saw on a wall of a hair salon/tanning facility this past weekend:

Because Life is TOO short to be PALE...

What an ad huh? Kind of convincing? Make you want to get a tan? 

Tanning beds not only can cause skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) but they can also cause premature skin aging (wrinkles), toughen the texture of skin, and cause cataracts and certain cancers of the eye.

2. She had the "it won't happen to me" attitude.

Well, in the United States alone, there are over 400,000 cases of skin cancer associated with indoor tanning. 400,000! AND JUST ONE indoor tanning session can increase your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67% and basal cell carcinoma by 29%

Guess what? It can happen to you!

3. Maybe she thought indoor tanning was a safer alternative to sitting in the sun.... #false

• A tan is just your skin's response to the damage and injury of the UV rays.
• Getting a base tan does very little to protect you from future burns.
• Even if you don't burn after a tanning session, damage from the UV rays has been done.
• 

So, I don't know why Jane continued to tan indoors even though she had skin cancer    4 separate times but I do know that she is not alone. It is easy to think of Jane and say "wow, how ridiculous - she obviously needs to quit tanning." BUT how many of you tan indoors? how about regularly?

My hope for this post is to raise a little awareness of the REAL dangers of indoor tanning and possibly create a small decrease in tanning bed users :)

Now that we know some of the statistics and dangers associated with tanning beds - the next post will be concerned with different ways to care for your skin. <3<3<3

References

American Academy of Dermatology. (2016). Indoor tanning. Retrieved from  https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, August 25). Indoor tanning is not safe. Retrieved from  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm

Introduction

Hello! 

My name is Molly Mihlbachler.

I have been involved in several aspects of the health field throughout my life. My mom owned a home care agency my entire childhood, I worked as a CNA, worked for an eye doctor, and am currently a dental hygienist getting my undergraduate degree in community health. I have a passion for prevention. I was also once featured on Jimmy Fallon for his #FallonCostume contest, so I guess you can call me famous too :)

As for this blog, it will contain posts about skin health. I chose this topic because there are so many aspects to skin health and I know several people (family, friends, and a co-worker) who have all had some sort of skin condition. I would like to anonymously blog about each of their experiences and treatment and discuss prevention. Hope you enjoy!