Greenville Dermatology Introduces Breakthrough Melanoma Detection Device

 

Thanks to a revolutionary device called MelaFind, patients at Greenville Dermatology have a better chance of detecting melanoma at early, treatable stages. This deadly disease is the most dangerous skin cancer and will account for more than 76,000 cases of skin cancer in 2013, according to the American Cancer Society. We are now the only dermatology clinic in South Carolina and North Carolina to offer patients melanoma detection with one of only 200 MelaFind devices available in the United States.

 

MelaFind is a first-of-its-kind technology used during skin exams to help dermatologists see under the skin’s surface. The device collects images 2.5 mm deep into the skin by combining multiple light waves with a photon sensor. The result is a multi-dimensional look at the makeup of individual skin lesions, including layers not visible to the naked eye. This allows us to catch the most aggressive, fastest growing form of skin cancer earlier than ever before.

 

MelaFind is FDA approved and pain-free. Most importantly, it will help us determine whether or not to biopsy atypical moles detected during a skin examination. Every hour, one person in the U.S. dies of melanoma and 15 people are diagnosed with the disease. Everyone is at risk for potentially developing the melanoma, but it is 100% curable when caught early. It is crucial to have a device like MelaFind to help us detect potential melanomas at the earliest, curable stage.

 

Some facts about melanoma:

·         Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells.

·         An irregular mole is a mole that has at least one characteristic in common with melanoma.

·         Approximately 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.

·         When detected in its earliest stages, melanoma is highly curable. In fact, the average five-year survival rate for individuals whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent.

·         Scientists have identified several risk factors for developing melanoma, including ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, moles (dysplastic nevi and congenital melanocytic nevi), fair skin, freckling, light hair and a family history of melanoma.

·         However, everyone is at risk for melanoma, even people who are not fair-skinned, have never spent a lot of time in the sun, have always used sunscreen and have no family history of melanoma.

May 1 is National MelaFind Day and from now until May 1, Greenville Dermatology clients can book a free screening with the MelaFind device. To schedule a skin exam and see the device firsthand, please call us at (864) 242-5872.

Acne Linked to Dairy Products and Foods High in Glycemic Index

You’ve always heard the saying “pizza causes acne” was just a myth – but scientists have determined that there may be more truth to this statement than they previously thought. 

A recent study has determined that there is a link between diet and acne, particularly with dairy products and foods that have a high glycemic index. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, also determined that medical nutrition therapy (MNT) can play an important role in treating and improving acne.

The study compiled information from studies conducted between 1960 and 2012 that investigated diet and acne. Investigators looked at data for a number of study characteristics, including reference, design, participants, intervention method, primary outcome, results and conclusions, covariate considerations and limitations. The study investigators concluded that a high glycemic index and frequent dairy consumption are the leading factors in establishing the link between diet and acne.

"Dermatologists and registered dietitians have revisited the diet-acne relationship and become increasingly interested in the role of medical nutritional therapy in acne treatment," said Jennifer Burris, MS, RD, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University.

The glycemic index is a numerical index that ranks carbohydrates based on their rate of glycemic response, or their conversion to glucose within the human body. The glycemic index uses a scale of 0 to 100, with higher values given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar. White bread, pizza, waffles, pretzels, doughnuts, sugary cereals, ice cream and baked potatoes are all foods with a high glycemic index. Dairy products are any milk products or foods that have been made from milk, including chocolate milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, cream and cream cheese.

Does this mean acne-sufferers should stay away from these foods, though? The study leaders said more research is still necessary, but MNT should not be ruled out.

“The medical community should not dismiss the possibility of diet therapy as an adjunct treatment for acne. At this time, the best approach is to address each acne patient individually, carefully considering the possibility of dietary counseling,” said Burris.

 

To learn more or to talk with an experienced dermatologist about your acne conditions, call Greenville Dermatology today at (864) 282-5872.

Rethink the Ink – Will You Regret That Tattoo?

According to a new survey, almost one-third of people with tattoos will eventually regret them.

The survey, which polled more than 500 people with tattoos, found that 31 percent expressed regret about their tattoos. Men were twice as likely as women to regret getting a tattoo, especially those who got their first tattoo before the age of 16. However, women regretted getting their tattoos less than men, especially if they got their tattoo after the age of 21.

Surveys were taken from 580 people, all at least 16 years old and almost half of them older than 40. The survey attained information about the age at first tattoo, whether the tattoo was produced by a professional or amateur artist, the length of time since the first tattoo, total number and location of tattoos, whether they regretted their tattoos and whether they would have the tattoos removed if they could.

“A significant number of people regret having a tattoo, and the longer they have had one, the more likely this becomes,” said Aslam and Owen of the Royal Blackburn Hospital in Blackburn, England. “We feel that this should become an important health message, as tattoo removal is not freely available, and unwanted tattoos can affect life chances and cause significant psychological morbidity.”

The popularity of tattoos and other forms of body art has increased dramatically over the last couple of decades. South Carolina has more than 100 tattoo parlors, and there are more than 21,000 tattoo parlors in the United States. Despite the number of tattoo parlors, places that offer tattoo removal are scarce, and the procedures to remove tattoos can be expensive (and aren’t covered by insurance!).

If you’re determined to get a tattoo, make sure the tattoo parlor is registered and up-to-date with health and safety regulations. Do go to a professional tattoo artist and do take caution when picking the location of your tattoo. The study found that tattoos in visible locations were more likely to be regretted, as were upper body tattoos.

Neocutis Spring Package

 

Neocutis Spring Package

 

For only $150, you can get the following:

• Lumere Riche Eye Cream
• Bio-Serum Pen
• Reusable EyeSwirl
• Green Spring Tote

This package is valued at $335! Buy this package Greenville Dermatology today.

A Single Skin Exam Could Save Your Life

Did you know that visiting a dermatologist for a skin exam just one time could save your life? According to a recent review of more than 400 skin cancer cases, a single skin exam may significantly reduce the odds of invasive melanoma, an advanced form of skin cancer where the cancer cells penetrate into surrounding tissues.

The study, performed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, reviewed the medical records of 400 adult patients with newly diagnosed melanoma. Patients who had visited a dermatology clinic at least once were 37 percent less likely to have invasive disease at melanoma diagnosis than patients who had not undergone a professional skin exam prior to diagnosis.

A skin exam was also associated with an approximate 25 percent reduction in lesion thickness at diagnosis. Overall patients with melanoma who had visited a dermatologist’s office had a better prognosis than those without a history of past dermatologic examination.

“Our research suggests that patients benefit from even a single total body skin examination, which may be due to increased skin self-awareness or education about melanoma by the dermatologist,” said Jacqueline Moreau, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pittsburgh.

Among the patients studied, those who had visited the dermatologist had a higher rate of self-detection of noninvasive skin cancer, which suggests dermatologists play a critical role in educating individuals about the risk of skin cancer.

"Dermatologists should recognize that total body skin examinations are opportunities not only to detect melanoma but also to educate patients so they can detect their own melanomas at earlier, more treatable stages,” said Moreau.

Researchers found that the benefit of the dermatology visit was independent of its timing. They observed no significant difference in melanoma invasiveness or depth between individuals who had seen their dermatologists less than one year versus more than one year prior to diagnosis.

The results of this study are clear: you should never underestimate the benefit of visiting your dermatologist! Early diagnosis via skin examination affords the best protection against fatal melanoma, even if optimal timing and frequency of skin exams remains unclear. To make an appointment today with Greenville Dermatology, call (864) 282-5872.

Aspirin Lowers Melanoma Risk in Women

 

Want to decrease your chance of developing a deadly skin cancer? The solution could already be hiding in your medicine cabinet. According to a recent study, women who regularly take aspirin have a 21 percent lower risk of developing melanoma than those who do not take the drug.

 

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, was the largest study ever to explore new ways to prevent melanoma. The study focused on the data of roughly 60,000 women ages 50-79 who volunteered to provide information about their lives (such as activity, diet, medication and sun exposure history) for a period of 12 years.

 

The researchers found that women who took aspirin decreased their risk of developing melanoma by an average of 21 percent. Moreover, investigators found that the protective effect of aspirin also increased over time, with patients demonstrating an 11 percent risk reduction at one year, a 22 percent risk reduction between one and four years, and up to a 30 percent risk reduction at five years or more. These results held true for aspirin use only and did not apply to other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (known as NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

 

“There’s a lot of excitement about this because aspirin has already been shown to have protective effects on cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer in women,” said senior author Jean Tang, MD, PhD, in a press release. “This is one more piece of the prevention puzzle.”

 

So how does it work? Tang said one way aspirin may prevent melanoma is through its anti-inflammatory effects. These effects are why aspirin may also prevent heart attacks and stroke, since both are the result of arteries becoming blocked and unable to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart and brain. Aspirin combats the effect of platelets, the blood cells that help blood clot, therefore reducing the number of heart attacks and strokes.   

 

While the results sound promising, Tang isn’t ready to say an aspirin a day will keep melanoma away. Tang noted that it is still unknown how much aspirin should be taken and for how long.

 

Whatever the case may be, doctors agree that aspirin use still doesn’t replace using sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. As warmer weather approaches, be sure to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 or higher.