BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is becoming increasingly common and leads to an increasing number of deaths, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Sunburn and UV light can damage skin, which leads to cancer. Genetics and your environment are other cancer factors. Although skin cancer generally surfaces later in life, the most damage usually begins when you're young. Most people receive 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure by age 18. Skin cancer is most common in people with fair skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the face, neck, hands and arms -- areas that receive the most sun exposure.

SKIN CANCER SIGNS: The most common skin cancer sign is a change on the skin, such as a growth or a sore that won't heal. A small lump could appear that is either smooth and shiny or reddish in color. A rough, scaly, red spot could also be cancerous. You should be aware of the appearance of moles on your body. Most common moles should be smaller than a pencil eraser, round, symmetrical, and have an even border.

CURRENT TREATMENT: Methods used to remove skin cancer include excisional surgery, cryosurgery, radiation therapy, topical chemotherapy and micrographic surgery.

USE OF THE CARBON DIOXIDE LASER: Carbon dioxide lasers have been used for many years to treat different skin conditions. They use very short, pulsed light energy or continuous light beams that remove thin layers of skin without causing much damage to surrounding structures. Wrinkles, scars, and warts are commonly treated with this laser. The specific areas are numbed with a local anesthetic or general anesthesia if the entire face is being treated. For best post-laser care, patients should apply a sunscreen every day that screens both ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A rays with a minimum SPF of 15.

THE CARBON DIOXIDE LASER -- CANCER TREATMENT? Researchers at the University of Michigan are studying the laser and have found it can also prevent skin cancer from developing. The laser uses a technique called immunohistochemistry, which identifies specific proteins in cells or tissues. It combines taking skin samples and staining the tissue. It can then detect pre- cancerous changes before they progress.

MORE SUN DAMAGE SOLUTIONS: Researchers are studying an even less invasive laser procedure that they hope will also effectively reverse sun damage markers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Jeffrey Orringer, M.D.
Cosmetic Dermatology and Laser Center
University of Michigan Health System
(734) 615-0682

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