There's more to preventing skin cancer than applying sunscreen and shunning tanning salons, says a Seattle naturopath who works with cancer patients.
Healthy lifestyle choices and a diet rich in antioxidants also can help prevent the nation's most prevalent type of cancer, says Heidi Lucas, a naturopathic physician at Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center.
The Capitol Hill clinic integrates traditional oncology with complementary therapies, including naturopathy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine and mind-body counseling.
Lucas advises consuming plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, green tea and whole grains to help guard against cancer, including cancers of the skin.
Melanoma is the most aggressive of the three types of skin cancer. The other two, more common forms are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, and every hour someone in the country dies from melanoma. Although skin cancer can be deadly, it's usually treatable if caught early.
Lucas offers the following tips:
■ Examine your skin and any moles or lesions using the ABCs. Look for any Asymmetry or unevenness, Border irregularities, Color changes, increasing Diameter or Elevation. Moles that change in any of these ways should be seen by your doctor.
■ Protect your skin year round by using sunscreen daily. (Look for sunscreens with zinc oxide or Parasol 1789.) During the summer months, liberally apply a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen 30 minutes before going out and then reapply it every two hours while outside. Since no sunscreen offers a total block, hats, sunglasses and clothing that cover the skin also are a good idea.
■ If you're concerned about getting an adequate amount of vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin, add cod-liver oil, fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, eggs and low-fat dairy foods to your diet. Some experts also advocate five to 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure during non-peak hours of the day, which is enough to get your supply of vitamin D, but not enough to burn.
■ Although it's fair-skinned people who are most at risk for skin cancer, those with darker skin - African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics - also should wear a daily sunscreen.
■ Avoid tanning booths. A Dartmouth research study found that using a tanning bed as little as once a month can more than double your chances of developing skin cancer. Tanning beds release UV radiation, which is damaging to the skin.
■ Supporting the immune system helps to fight even the most aggressive forms of cancer. In addition to eating a healthful diet, find ways to relieve or avoid stress. The stress hormone, cortisol, decreases immune function, making it harder to fight cancer and other diseases.
"Diet can be a major factor in boosting your immune system," Lucas says. "But an equally successful measure is to smile, breathe deeply and add more joy to your life."
Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center is an affiliate of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a network of hospitals that integrate oncology with complementary and natural therapies.
For more information and cancer-fighting tips, call FOR HOPE (367-4673) or visit www.seattlecancerwellness.com
Pam McGaffin of Moore Ink. PR writes articles about important health, family and community issues for nonprofit organizations.
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