Of late, more and more people are becoming affected by skin cancer with the result that there are many millions of people suffering from this condition, and so it behooves to take a closer look at skin cancer causes. Probably, the most cited skin cancer cause is being exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time, and more especially to the dangerous ultraviolet radiation, and the risk becomes more when living in areas where there is intense sunlight. Also, with depletion to the ozone layer, the chances of being affected by skin cancer have increased since you are protected from ultra-violet rays only by the ozone layer.

Fair Or Dark Skin

Among the not so well known skin cancer causes is that people who are of fair skin and thus have less amount of melanin are more susceptible to developing skin cancer. However, there is no real known skin cancer causes though it is believed that squamous cell carcinoma as too basal cell carcinoma are thought to be related to sunlight’s accumulation during a person’s lifetime, and that people with fair complexion are more susceptible to developing such tumors than those with dark complexion.

There is almost unanimity in believing that among the major skin cancer causes is exposure to the sun since ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage the DNA that in turn will lead to the development of skin cancer, and that according to estimates, two thirds and more of all malignant melanomas and as much as ninety percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are attributed to high degree of exposure to the sun.

Furthermore, it is also believed that among the probable skin cancer causes are people having fair skin, red or blond hair, blue, hazel or green eyes, freckled faces, those whose skin tans poorly and burns easily, people with plenty of moles, and those who have a family history of skin cancer are more likely to develop skin cancer. In the same vein, if your skin is of dark color, you would be twenty times less at risk of developing skin cancer than is the case with Caucasians.

Another not so well known skin cancer cause is the sunbed that is closely linked to malignant melanoma, and according to studies on several sunbeds and cancer, the conclusion arrived at was that young people who were less than thirty-five years of age who were using sunbeds were at seventy-five percent greater risk of skin cancer.

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With all of us feverishly trying to keep up with the latest fads Hollywood exports, finally there is a fashion tip that will truly enhance our lives. Recently, Tom Cruise0s former sidekick Nicole Kidman was quoted by the Associated Press as saying: 0I wish that I hadn0t been born with red hair and fair skin0 as she is concerned about the amount sun exposure and its direct link to an increased risk for skin cancer. She should know, too. After all, she hails from Australia where skin cancer is an exploding epidemic. Subsequently, Australia is the leading the world in heightening the quality of skin cancer prevention education and proactive sun safety behavior. Truth be told, skin cancer is the world0s most common cancer. Americans are no exception to the rule either! Every hour someone in the United States dies from skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (www.AAD.org). Perhaps, Kidman0s example will encourage the propagation of a new fashion wave - sun protective clothing (www.SunSavvy.net).Whereas, sun protective clothing (also known as ultraviolet radiation protective clothing; or 0UVR0) is widely used in Australia, Europe, and South Africa, it is still relatively unknown here in the U.S. Sun protective clothing, however, is a highly effective option for individuals to protect themselves from the harmful affects of UV-rays all day, every day. If you consider that the average white 100% cotton t-shirt is equivalent to only a SPF 6 (which provides about 14% worth of sun protection), clearly there is a need for light-weight, functional, stylish, economical, clothing that also provides exceptional protection from over-exposure to the sun. On the other hand, sun protective clothing blocks out more than 97.5% of UV rays (which is an equivalent to a SPF 30 sunscreen). This is considered by the Skin Cancer Foundation to be 0the best of the best0 as it were when it comes to effective sun protection. If you consider that a SPF 20 sunscreen is allowing only five out of every 100 UV protons to reach your skin; it is 95% protective, than sun protective clothing is quite simply the most revolutionary new product available on the market today for those looking for a viable, yet extremely effective, way to protect themselves and their loved ones from sun damage.Dermatologist-oncologist, Sancy A. Leachman of the Tom C. Mathews Jr. Familial Melanoma Research Clinic at The Huntsman Cancer Institute (www.HuntsmanCancer.org) recommends that everyone use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 for daily, year-round use; SPF 30 is recommended if we are outdoors between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when UV rays are most intense. SPF 30 sunscreen is also highly recommended for those of us who possess multiple risk factors for skin cancer such as blonde or red hair, blue or green eyes, fair or sensitive skin, many atypical moles, and even family history of skin cancer 0 like Nicole Kidman. Wearing sun protective clothing, coupled with proper year-round use of sunscreens, is the quite simply the best protection available, Sancy says. And her colleagues in the field of dermatological medicine agree.0Appropriate sun apparel should offer effective protection against both short term and long term photo damage [such as wrinkling, skin cancer, and even cataracts],0 says Dr. J.M. Mentor, who also teaches dermatology at the Morehouse School of Medicine (www.MSM.edu). In other words, effective sun safety apparel ought to protect against both UV-B and UV-A rays, and sun protective products such as those specially manufactured by Stingray in Australia, do exactly that.Stingray is the original sun protection clothing company to specialize in UV protection swimwear and daily attire for children and adults. 0As a result of listening to the needs of our many customers, we are able to deliver products that take the 0sting out of the sun0s rays,00 says Wendy Lister, Managing Director of Stingray. 0[People] are now getting the best possible UV protection.0 Those living at high altitudes or near the equator, have the highest risk in for skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.Glen and Liisa Tomson, both natives of South Africa, know first-hand the devastating toll sun damage can take on our health. As such, they have recently partnered up with The Cancer Crusaders Organization (www.CancerCrusaders.org) in a five-year international skin cancer prevention education campaign called 0Only Skin Deep?0 This program aims to actively engage parents and young adults in the fight against the world0s most common, yet preventable, cancer.0We see a great and pressing need for increased awareness and education here in the U.S.,0 says Glen Tomson. 0Too many times my wife and I will be at the pool, and see all these children running around sun burnt. Often, we0ll offer shade [clothing] and sunscreen to the parents so they can better protect their children.0 Glen and Liisa, in addition to being entrepreneurs and experts, are parents and realize the importance of instilling the practice of sunscreen usage and the wearing of sun protective clothing at a young age so as to develop a lifelong habit of sun safety behavior.In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology reports that sustaining just one severe 0blistering0 sunburn before age 18 increases one0s likeliness of a future skin cancer diagnosis by an estimated 60%. In other words, 80% of one0s lifetime skin damage occurs in the first 18 years of life. This is of particular concern the mountain states where high elevation exposes us to more intense UV irradiation. Dr. Leachman illustrates it best by saying, 0Someone standing on the summit of Mt. Timpanogos [Utah] will burn 66-to-77 times faster than someone standing on a beach in Los Angeles [California].0 Lechman adds, 0Skin cancer incidence is increasing at an alarming rate here in the United States, so it is important that we all take proper precautions to protect ourselves.0 The AAD solidifies Leachman0s remarks, reporting 1.3-million Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer this year. The risk is real,0 Leachman says. 0There is a real need for people to take necessary precautions and to teach patients how to advocate for themselves [in reducing their risk for skin cancer].0Danielle M. White, CEO of www.SunSavvy.com, offers a FREE newsletter including proper use of sun protective clothing & other sun protection products.

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Some of the most promising cancer research going on today involves the use of green tea and its ability to prevent cancer and even treat cancer in patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease. Researchers are examining many possibilities for how green tea might be used, and working to determine the cancer types for which it holds the most promise.Over the last few years, scientists have learned a great deal about the importance of a diet rich in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are a powerful tool in slowing down the aging process and preventing disease. They are even more important than even with the number of processed foods we consume. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants, as is dark chocolate and green tea. Coffee is also a source of anti-oxidants, though it is not nearly as rich in them as green tea.The process our bodies go through to convert our food to energy creates free radicals each day. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that damage our cells and DNA. If we don0t combat them, the make us age more quickly, they contribute to the development of blocked arteries and the make us more susceptible to the diseases and problems of aging.So, it0s certain that we all need to consume a high level of anti-oxidants as part of our everyday diet. But, of particular interest are the anti-oxidants in green tea. Asian cultures consume a large amount of green tea, and have espoused its healing properties for centuries. And, it just so happens that they have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease.There are, of course, other differences between Asian culture and ours. Notably, we are far more likely to be overweight; and research has shown us that obesity is a significant risk factor for many diseases including cancer and heart disease. However, one other interesting fact; Asian cultures, particularly Japanese men are far more likely to smoke than we are, yet they still have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease.So, green tea is of significant importance in our quest to live longer and be healthier. There are hundreds of studies that have shown that green tea is a good cancer preventative and can increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments.One important study is linked to skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. While only 4% of skin cancer cases are melanoma, it causes more deaths than any other type of skin cancer.The number of new cases of melanoma is on the rise in the US- an estimated 62,000 Americans will be diagnosed in 2006, and about 8000 people will die from melanoma in the US this year. Nonmelanoma is extremely common. It is estimated that about one million people develop nonmelanoma cancer each year; this is about the same number of people who contract all other types of cancer combined. However, people rarely die from nonmelanoma 0 only about 1000 each year in the US.Since skin cancer is so prevalent in our country, it0s critical that we spend time and money researching how we can treat this cancer. Of course, skin cancer is, in part, preventable. So, as part of a healthy lifestyle we should be diligent about protecting ourselves from the sun, because this is the most important aspect of preventing both types of skin cancer.To reduce your risk of skin cancer, be sure that you are always protected from the sun, even on cloudy days, and even in the winter. Cover as much of your body as possible with clothing, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on any areas that you cannot cover. Be sure to follow the directions on sunscreen closely; many people do not use enough sunscreen and do not reapply it often enough.As scientists are researching ways to prevent and treat skin cancer, the results involving green tea are promising. One particular study reported by the Alternative Medicine Review showed excellent results in skin cancer prevention and treatment in mice with the use of green tea both applied topically and given orally*.In this study, mice were exposed to about seven different kinds of carcinogens, all of which are known to cause or contribute to skin cancer. The mice were divided into groups. Some of the groups were treated with green tea by substituting it for their drinking water. Others were treated topically with green tea extract. Some of the groups of mice were already suffering from skin cancer, as well.The research was conducted so that mice undergoing exposure to each different carcinogen were treated with green tea in both forms. For example, some of the mice being exposed to UVB rays were treated with only oral green tea, while others were treated with only topical green tea extract.The research concluded that all of the mice benefited from the green tea treatment, whether it was given orally or applied topically. In every group, the green tea was effective at preventing skin cancer. The study found that green tea applied topically seems to scavenge and destroy skin cells that are likely to become cancerous before they can mutate.The green tea, whether given orally or applied topically, slowed down the cancer growth in the mice that were already infected. In addition, green tea given orally seemed to cause some regression of existing skin cancer.Of course, these results are very promising. If this research is a good indicator of how green tea might work in humans, as well, then topically applied green tea may become the new trend in skin products. In addition, these findings support other findings that conclude that drinking green tea is effective in preventing and treating many forms of cancer.The next step, of course, is to conduct human trials to see if the same results prove true. It certainly seems that we have enough information to suggest that green tea should be part of everyone0s diet for its ability to slow down aging and prevent disease.The most exciting news from this study is the idea that we might benefit dramatically from the simple step of applying a form of green tea to our skin. Addition of green tea to our sunscreens, lotions and moisturizers could have a dramatic effect on the number of skin cancer diagnosed each year. And, even for those already diagnosed with skin cancer, green tea applied to the skin might prove to be an effective treatment to kill the cancer cells, or at least slow down their progression.About the author Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea and www.goldenmoontea.com/wu-long go to www.goldenmoontea.com

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