Archive for January, 2018
Quality of Life Matters
A recent European study examined the quality of life of patients with basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and actinic keratosis. They found that, while these conditions are rarely life threatening, they have a very significant impact on patients quality of life, both at the time of diagnosis and through the progression of untreated disease. […]
Aspirin May Improve Melanoma Survival
Previous research has suggested a potential cancer prevention benefit from daily aspirin. This new study suggests that in some patients with melanomas taking a daily aspirin may improve their overall survival. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and better elucidate who will benefit and what is the mechanism of the improved overall survival. […]
Military Personnel at Greater Risk for Skin Cancer
Both active duty and veteran military personnel have a greater risk of both melanoma and none melanoma skin cancer compared with the civilian population. Air Force seemed to be the highest risk as well as those who served in the tropics or who were prisoners of war. If you are or have been in the […]
The Importance of Time from Diagnosis to Treatment in Melanoma
A diagnosis of cancer is always worrying and stressful. Patients will generally feel an need for urgent treatment just to get rid of it as soon as possible. For many skin cancers such urgency is not vital, however a new study from the Cleveland Clinic suggests that for melanoma, treatment should be within 30 days […]
Facial Workout
A small pilot study suggests that daily facial exercises may make you look younger. In this study 27 women aged 40 to 65 were given an exercise regimen for their facial muscles that they were to do every day for a total of 20 weeks. Of the 27 who started only 16 completed the program, […]
Mohs for the Elderly
A retrospective review of 488 patients aged 85 or older presenting for nonmelanoma skin cancer management was performed (1999–2014). Patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) had a mean age of death of 93.5 years (older than the national average of 76.1 and 81.2 years, males and females, respectively). Patients who underwent MMS survived a median […]
Diabetic Medication May Protect Against Skin Cancer
A recent study from Taiwan suggests that diabetic patients who are treated with “metformin” had a lower risk of skin cancer than would have been expected. Further studies are needed to confirm and explain these findings but the authors suggest if you are diabetic and at high risk for skin cancer you should consider metformin […]