Melanoma Is on the Rise in Women
Michelle Copeland, D.M.D, M.D., a world-renowned plastic surgeon, biochemist, and best-selling author was the discussion’s guest expert. To view the archived transcript, visit the Society’s Web site: http://live.womenhealthrearch.org/.
By Jennifer Wider, M.D.
Society for Women's Health Research
June 19, 2008
© June 19, 2008 Society for Women's Health Research
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This is a great post.
I'm wondering why an annual skin exam isn't a habitual part of a woman's annual checkup? I have been having annual pap smears and physical checkups for 30 years, and only once or twice did a doctor actually examine a mole or two, and that was when I brought it to their attention. I understand that doctors are not dermatologists, but it seems that they're trained in what to look for -- when a mole looks troublesome, for instance -- and refer patients to dermatologists when necessary.
I've long felt the need to find a dermatologist because I spent way too much time in the sun in my late teens and early 20s. But it's one of those things that you have to "get around" to doing. It sure would be awesome if it were a part of our regular annual screenings at our regular doctors' offices.
Perhaps it is at others' primary care offices. Anyone had this experience?
You think maybe all the toxic lotions that most people put all over their bodies might have something to do with it! If you read on pretty much all of the lotions in any shop, most of the ingredients sounds pretty toxic! I would never put it on to my bodies largest organ!! if I can't eat it, I rater not put it on me ;)
Studies from Carolinska Institutt in Sweden showed that leftovers of sunscreen was found in your skin over tree weeks after you put it on... not good!
Natural oils is way safer! buy some good coconut or virgin olive oil and add any natural smell, no health risk, only gorgeous skin :)
Thank you for your response. Your right to say that many toxic exposures are bad for our skin and it would certainly be useful tool to read the ingredients of any topical lotions or oils used on our bodies. A great website to use can be found here http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/.
I work in a field that deals with health effects from toxic substances and the Haz Map website is a great tool to search for health effects from certain substances. It is very common to see squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinomas from individuals exposed to certain substances. Knowledge is key.