A recent clinical study suggests that you may be at higher risk for cancer than you thought, and skin cancer may pose the highest risks of all. Skin treatment patients in Portland, Oregon and across the country are responding to this news by adopting advanced treatments that other researchers believe will help prevent skin cancer in the first place.
New Findings Suggest Greater Risk for Skin Cancer
Skin cancers already affect 1 in 5 people and account for 50% of all cancer diagnoses. This makes skin cancer the most common cancer in the US, and, according to a study recently released by the National Cancer Institute, it may be one of the most dangerous for people who fail to take up-to-date preventative measures.
Researchers found that patients with non-melanoma skin cancers were much more likely to develop other types of cancer. These findings imply close connections between skin cancer and other cancers, but the study is even more important because it may shed light on the nature of skin cancer risk generally.
The researchers think that many people experience skin cancers because of faulty DNA that fails to repair itself after the kind of damage cells experience through sun exposure. What this means is that many, many people who already fail to take appropriate measures to prevent sun damage are dangerously susceptible to many cancers – and, in particular, to easily-preventable skin cancers.
How Skin Resurfacing Can Help Minimize Your Risks
A 2006 study by Stanford University doctors suggests that a few common cosmetic skin treatments may help Portland, Oregon patients prevent skin cancer and reverse sun damage at the same time. According to researchers, both acid chemical peels and carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing may avert common skin cancers because they prevent precancerous formations.
Like many dermatologists in Portland, Oregon, I already utilize both of these methods to combat sun-related age signs by removing damaged cells and encouraging healthy tissue. Since the release of these studies, I have noticed that younger patients are demonstrating more interest in these treatments as preventative measures. In addition, DOT fractional carbon laser therapy is very popular, and chemical peels come in a wide variety of options that vary in intensity according to your skin needs.
Prevent Skin Cancer and Keep Your Skin Healthy Longer
Skin resurfacing may not help prevent skin cancer unless you practice basic prevention as well. In addition to appropriate skin resurfacing treatments, every person should protect themselves by:
- Wearing sun protection, especially on snow or water and on cloudy days
- Avoiding tanning lamps, which have deeper-penetrating UV radiation
- Checking moles frequently for changes in size, color, or shape
- Avoiding exposure to chemicals likely to encourage cancer
- Eating breakfast, and maintaining a diet of healthful foods. Avoid fatty, sugary substances that prevent healthy skin and increase cancer risk
These studies highlight cancer risks, but also emphasize the importance of the kind of restorative techniques my practice has been offering for years. Even more encouraging is the interest this research sparks in skin care and cancer prevention. Proper prevention is important, but it is only one step toward a healthier mind and body.