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Sun Sense
Sunscreen is an easy thing to overlook. You’re not going to stay outside for long, right? And you rarely get sunburned. But the truth is, every time our skin is exposed to sunlight, even for a few minutes at a time, it is penetrated by UV rays that can cause skin cancer. If a few minutes a day can cause sun damage, imagine what five hours at the beach can do. "By virtue of living year round in a beach climate that promotes outdoor activity, Southern Californians are undoubtedly exposed to more sun than people living in other areas such as the Midwest," says John M. Hilinski, MD, medical director of San Diego Face & Neck Specialties. So as days at the beach and outdoor activities call to us in our beautiful Southern California climate, it’s essential that we remember to slather on the sunscreen.
Whether it’s sunny or overcast, we are exposed to UV rays every time we go outside. "Everyday exposure counts. You don’t have to be actively sunbathing to get a damaging dose of the sun," says Alexander P. Ataii, MD, medical director at Laser Clinique in Torrey Hills. It’s hard to ignore the desire to soak in some rays, but you need to take your health into consideration. "There is no such thing as a ’healthy tan,'" says Ataii. A tan is merely the skin’s response to the damaging effects of the sun. So while having a bronzed physique may make you feel better about your appearance, tanning can have very harmful repercussions.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with over one million skin cancers diagnosed each year. On top of that, sun exposure causes over 90 percent of all skin cancers. The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell are localized spots that can be damaging and disfiguring but do not commonly spread to other areas of the body, and comprise 90 percent of all skin cancers. Malignant melanoma is less common, but it is the most dangerous and can be fatal if it’s not treated early.
Sun exposure also damages collagen, helping to cause fine lines and wrinkles. Up to 90 percent of the visible changes in your skin that are attributed to aging are caused by the sun. "Changes can be seen as early as the 20s," says Ataii. All skin types can develop skin cancer, but some should be even more cautious than others. Fair-skinned individuals have less melanin pigment, the natural protective barrier that absorbs UV rays, and therefore have considerably less natural defense. Other factors should be taken into consideration. "Those spending prolonged periods in the sun, such as lifeguards and construction workers, are considered to be a higher risk of developing skin cancer," says Hilinski. Rare skin disorders can also predispose some people to skin cancer.
So how can you protect yourself? Try to avoid sun exposure when you can, particularly between 10am and 4pm, when UV rays cause the most damage. This may not seem entirely realistic for life in San Diego, but if you stay in the shade as much as possible, and wear wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen, you will greatly reduce your exposure. Wear dark-colored long sleeves and pants made with tightly knit fabric. "Keep in mind that although T-shirts and breathable outdoor wear are more comfortable this time of year, the lighter-weight fabrics can still allow unwanted UV rays to reach the skin," says Hilinski.
Any time you venture out into the sun, wear sunscreen. Lots of it. Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher whenever you leave the house. It’s also important to pick a broad spectrum sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These sunscreens protect you from both UVA rays, which are usually associated with early aging and wrinkles, as well as skin cancer, and UVB rays, which cause sunburns and skin cancer. These broad spectrum lotions and sprays are also available PABA-free.
Apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed skin half an hour prior to sun exposure and reapply every two hours, as well as after swimming or athletic activity. Be sure to protect your face well, covering easily forgotten places such as your ears, around your eyes, your lips, and your scalp. Don’t forget your feet either. Also remember to protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with UV protection that cover your entire eye, thereby blocking rays from all angles.
Early detection of skin cancer is essential. Perform self-examinations and look for suspicious spots, and have your doctor examine you at least once a year. Your doctor can also providethe latest information on skin cancer and its treatments. (www.skincancer.org) — Rina Van Orden
before and after treatment
Wrinkle Remedy
Wrinkles got you down? A new Restylane product aids in the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Made with hyaluronic acid, Perlane adds volume and restores contours on the skin’s surface to smooth moderate to severe wrinkles. Perlane differs in its composition from Restylane as it has larger gel particles that are intended for deeper injection to improve structural support. The procedure is nonsurgical, takes about 30 minutes, and the effects are immediate, helping to reduce lines such as the fold from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Depending on the results you desire, your doctor may suggest Perlane or Restylane as a treatment option that will give a quick and easy makeover. Perlane is perfect for "anyone that wants instant results and wants to start doing preventative maintenance," says Jodi Sawyer, RN at the Encinitas medical spa of Dennis Nigro, MD, FACS, FICS. "Perlane binds to your own collagen for longer lasting results." Restylane is the world’s most used cosmetic dermal filler and has been used in over 1.4 million treatments in the U.S. Sawyer now offers both products, and is one of the top Restylane injectors in San Diego County, according to Medicis Aesthetics. (760/635-2452) — Rina Van Orden
Albert Deisseroth, president, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
Knowledge Is Hope
The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) is offering free monthly presentations in the Royston Family Auditorium at the non-profit cancer center. The speakers’ series is themed Knowledge Is Hope, and aims to "offer hope as well as empowerment to patients, caregivers, families, and clinicians through information about cancer research advances and related topics," says Ann Siemens, vice president for institutional advancement at SKCC. "Cancer touches the lives of so many, and the victims of this disease and their loved ones have an urgent need for knowledge and a desire for hope," she adds. Siemens spearheaded the series as a partnership with the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Foundation and regional cancer support organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and many others. (www.skcc.org) — Jane Shiomi
Schedule:
July 10 - Melanoma with Joy Hamer of SKCC
August 14 - Blood Cancers with Christa Muller Sieburg of SKCC
September 11 - Nutrition with Kim Kmatranga of Orange County Healthcare
October 9 - Ovarian Cancer with Michael McClelland of SKCC
November 13 - Lung Cancer with Ruth Gjerset of SKCC
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Living With Endometriosis
It was midnight at the Pi Phi house at USC when I found myself in a predicament. I had debilitating pelvic pain and could not reach the phone or even raise my voice to ask for help. My roommate was gone for the weekend and I was terrified. What was happening to my body? Luckily a sorority sister saw my light on and came by to borrow a shirt. Two things happened that night that I could not foresee. First, that the sorority sister who took me to the ER would become one of my closest friends to date. Second, that that night was the beginning of my long struggle with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of pelvic pain and infertility in women. It affects nearly 89 million women of reproductive age worldwide. Symptoms include infertility, chronic pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, and severely painful periods. Recently it has been found to also commonly be linked to irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, TMJ disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. I have all these disorders stemming from endometriosis, and have undergone eight surgeries that have mitigated these conditions but not removed them. In my struggle, I received the best advice from Scripps Health, which taught me that having the right doctor, being educated about my condition, and knowing how to deal with stress all help me keep this condition at bay.
My infertility doctor, Jeffrey Rakoff, MD, referred me to Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla. There, Robert Bonakdar, MD urged me, with my infertility issues, to attend the Lifestyle Change Program and the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course. He told me that those who use stress management techniques and other evidence-based complementary approaches such as acupuncture, have a better chance at success with in vitro fertilization than those who do not. At Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, people learn what sort of things they can do to improve the quality and longevity of their lives. I wish I had known years ago what I have learned at the center. In fact, endometriosis or not, anyone’s life can be improved by these suggestions.
Here are the lessons I learned:
1) Get regular pap smears and breast exams. This cannot be stressed enough. Outside the U.S., cervical cancer is one of the most fatal types. Here, Western medicine has the tools to prevent this cancer by early detection. In 2003, 11,820 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,919 died from cervical cancer in the U.S. It’s possible regular pap smears could have lowered that number dramatically. Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mammograms can cut breast cancer deaths by as much as one third.
2) Get a second opinion, maybe a third or fourth. Find a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with. It was not until I had the first surgery that doctors discovered the real cause for the illness. Not only was I in pain for years, but I began to doubt my own mind.
3) Do not eat refined and fermented foods, or drink alcohol and caffeine. Try limiting your intake of sugar and eating more whole foods. Make coffee or a cookie a treat for a special day.
4) De-stress your life. Try deep-breathing yoga, meditation, and find a spiritual outlet. If you can simplify your life and take time to slow down, your chances of total wellness are greatly improved. For just ten minutes a day, go somewhere quiet, concentrate on complete peace and calm, and let your tensions subside.
5) Exercise. No matter how little you do, anything helps. Take that 20-minute walk or weekly yoga class. Exercise is the key to a healthy heart and can help build your immune system. It also helps build endorphins, which are key in blocking pain signals from the body.
6) Take omega-3 fish oil. Numerous studies have proven that the anti-inflammatory properties have many benefits for the body.
I have had a rocky (to say the least) battle with my body to restore health. But the tips above got me moving again and have restored my quality of life to a state even better than before the illness. The truth is, no matter your age — 30, 40, 50, or even 70 — it is never too late to turn your health around. — Robyn Denton
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