Skin Cancer - Health Tips

The skin is more than just a pretty face – it is the body’s largest organ. It protects the body against heat, sunlight, injury and infection. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet rays (from the sun or indoor tanning) can damage the skin, causing wrinkles, blotchiness and sagging. This exposure results in premature aging and about 90 percent of all skin cancers. Following these steps can help you achieve and maintain beautiful skin throughout your life:

1. DRINK MORE WATER
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. This will help hydrate your cells and keep your complexion at its best.

2. DAYTIME MOISTURIZERS
Use daytime moisturizers, foundations or creams with UV protection. The best time to apply a moisturizer to the skin is immediately following a bath or shower.

3. MINIMIZE SUN EXPOSURE
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, especially between noon and 2 pm. When in the sun, wear a broad rimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protective lenses.

4. STOP SMOKING
Smoking causes premature aging and wrinkling of the face.

5. EAT YOUR VEGGIES
The saying “You are what you eat” is truer now than ever. Studies show that food not only nourishes the body but also has a marked impact on the skin. Skin wrinkling can be influenced by the types of foods people eat. Higher intakes of meat, dairy and sugar products create more stress and damage on our bodies but high intakes of vegetables, legumes, olives & fruit protects our skin against this damage.

6. TAKE YOUR FISH OILS
Ingestion of fish oils for 3 months was found to significantly increase one’s ability to tolerate the sun.

7. NOURISH YOUR SKIN FROM THE OUTSIDE IN
More evidence confirms that certain vitamin and antioxidant extracts, when applied topically, improves the health and appearance of the skin. Look for vitamins C & E, CoEnzyme Q10 and green tea extract to not only improve the skin’s appearance, but also to protect the skin from precancerous spots!

With new reports that Hugh Jackman has been diagnosed and treated for skin cancer, Tampa dermatologist Dr. Seth Forman is stressing the importance of protecting your skin.

The news marks the third time the actor, who suffers from the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, has been treated in the past year.

The Tampa dermatologist says that using sunscreen is the first step in protecting your skin from the sun.

“Sun damage is cumulative,” says Dr. Forman. “The earlier in life you protect yourself from harmful rays, the better.”

Basal cell carcinoma is a skin cancer characterized by open sores or red patches on the skin that arises in the basal cells, a type of cell in the epidermis that works to produce new skin cells that replace the old ones. Tumor sites are found mainly in areas of the skin that have undergone long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, if left untreated, basil cell carcinoma can become highly disfiguring to the skin. Although almost always curable, the possibility of re-developing the cancer in the future is likely.

In addition to sunscreen, the Tampa dermatologist adds that there are several prevention tips that can decrease the chances of getting skin cancer.

“Seeking shade at the appropriate times, avoiding tanning booths and having yearly skin exams should become habitual,” says Dr. Forman. “It’s important for everyone to establish a daily routine in order to avoid the development of skin cancer.”

Dr. Forman is the founder of Forman Dermatology and Skin institute, located in Tampa, Fla. and has appeared on TV shows across the country, including the nationally syndicated show “The Doctors” to provide sun-protection tips and to demonstrate his breakthrough skin cancer treatments.