Aspirin to Stave off Melanoma

Long-Term NSAID Use May Lower Cutaneous Melanoma Risk.

MedWire (7/8, Albert) reported, "Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appears to reduce the risk for cutaneous melanoma," according to a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. In a study involving "400 cutaneous-melanoma patients, aged 60 years on average, and 600 age- and gender-matched controls," researchers discovered that people "who regularly used NSAIDs for over five years had a significant 43% decreased risk for developing cutaneous [melanoma], compared with those who used NSAIDs for less than two years or not at all." Those who used aspirin for more than five years had a 49% decreased risk for melanoma.

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Men Undergoing More Cosmetic Procedures

Men Underwent 1.2 Million Cosmetic Procedures In 2010.

The Washington Post (6/21, Tamura) reports, "Men had 1.2 million cosmetic procedures last year, up two percent from 2009, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons." Psychologist Ann Kearney-Cooke, PhD, of the Cincinnati Psychotherapy Institute, explained that "society is much more image-conscious, and male patients from their mid-30s through their 60s say looks are important to both social and professional success," particularly in a tight and highly competitive job market.

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Dyport Over Botox

AbobotulinumtoxinA Trumps OnabotulinumtoxinA At Smoothing Crow's Feet Wrinkles.

MedPage Today (6/20, Bankhead) reported, "Crow's feet responded significantly better to treatment with abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) than with onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)," according to an article published online June 20 in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. In a study of 90 patients, 77 of which were women, doctors "and patients alike rated the cosmetic results of Dysport superior to those of the comparator (P=0.01, P=0.03, respectively)." What's more, "patients favored the Dysport-treated side of the face by a 2:1 margin during the 30-day split-face trial."

        HealthDay (6/20, Mozes) reported that Allergan, the maker of Botox, "issued a statement Monday that challenged the findings on several grounds, which included the small size of the study, the short length of the trial and, most importantly, the dosing ratio the researchers used when deciding how much of each product to use on the patients' faces." Dermatologist Doris Day, MD, of New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital, who was not involved in the study, "also cautioned that the attempt to analytically stack two 'very similar' drugs against one another can pose difficulties." She pointed out, however, that "both drugs are FDA-approved and have good safety track records to date."

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Mouse Study Reveals How Hair Begins Graying.

Mouse Study Reveals How Hair Begins Graying.

HealthDay (6/16, Dallas) reported that the roots of gray hair "may lie in a particular type of communication between hair follicles and melanocyte stem cells, the cells that make and store the pigments in skin and hair," according to a lab study published in the journal Cell. Using mouse models, the researchers determined that the "lack of Wnt activation in melanocyte stem cells leads to de-pigmented, or gray hair." They also found that "abnormal Wnt signaling in hair follicle stem cells prevents hair re-growth."

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New Sunscreen Monograph

FDA Issues New Guidelines For Sunscreen Labeling.

The Food and Drug Administration's long-awaited announcement yesterday of significant changes to sunscreen labeling was widely reported both by television and print media. The changes will empower consumers to make better decisions in choosing a product to prevent sun damage as well as reduce overall confusion about sunscreens.

        The CBS Evening News (6/14, story 9, 0:30, Pelley) reported, "The government put out new rules today for sunscreens. From now on, the gold standard will be broad-spectrum protection. Manufacturers may put that on the label only if the sunscreen protects [against] ultraviolet B which causes burning and ultraviolet A which causes wrinkling." Both forms of UV rays "cause skin cancer, and only sunscreens with an SPF 15 or higher may claim to lower the risk of cancer."

        On NBC Nightly News (6/14, lead story, 2:50, Williams), chief medical editor Nancy Snyderman, MD, explained, "One of the biggest changes is this, a drug facts label showing ingredients and differentiating between products that protect against cancer from those that only prevent sunburn." The FDA's Janet Woodcock, MD, was shown saying, "We've heard from many surveys that we've done this really helps people access information. So we're adding the drug facts box just like is found on other OTC drugs."

        On ABC World News (6/14, lead story, 3:20, Sawyer), correspondent Lisa Stark pointed out why the change is so important. "Despite the explosion of sales of sunscreens, there's also been an explosion of skin cancer," as evidenced by the fact that "cases of the most deadly kind of skin cancer, melanoma, increased 45% between 1992 and 2004," particularly in young people. Ronald Moy, MD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology, was shown saying, "Now, melanoma's the most common form of cancer for young adults in their late 20s."

        In a follow-on analysis piece on ABC World News (6/14, story 2, 1:15, Sawyer), chief health and medical editor Richard Besser, MD, explained that the action taken by the FDA on sunscreen labeling was "done five years ago" by European regulators. Besser suggested that consumers looking for sunscreen should examine "the UVB number. I recommend 30, at least. That will protect you against that. But for UVA, you need to go to" a list put together by Consumer Reports specifically for products "tested for UVA. By next year you'll be able to trust the labels for everything."

        The AP (6/15, Perrone) reports that beginning next summer, if sunscreens do not protect against both UVA and UVB rays, "or the sun protection factor is below 15," then sunscreens must "carry a warning: 'This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.'" The AP quotes AAD's Moy as saying, "For the first time, the FDA has clearly defined the testing required to make a broad-spectrum protection claim in a sunscreen and indicate which type of sunscreen can reduce skin cancer risk."

        Bloomberg News (6/15, Larkin) reports, "Lawmakers have urged the FDA for more than a decade to revise sunscreen labels to address cancer-causing UVA rays that penetrate deeper into skin cells and aren't blocked by window glass." Unfortunately, "'twenty percent of Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime,' said" Moy at yesterday's press conference at FDA's headquarters. "Ultraviolet exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer."

        The Los Angeles Times (6/15, Maugh) reports that the FDA "has been considering such regulations since 1978 and released some proposed rules in 2007, but subsequently concluded that the labeling system under consideration would be too confusing for consumers."

        The Washington Post (6/15, Stein) reports that "the agency is barring the use of the term 'sunblock' as well as claims that sunscreens are 'waterproof' or 'sweatproof,' saying those terms are inaccurate." Under the new guidelines, "sunscreen makers will only be allowed to claim that products are 'water-resistant' and will have to specify whether they work for 40 or 80 minutes." Sunscreens "that do not must carry warnings advising people to use a water-resistant product if they are going to be exposed to water or sweat."

        On its front page, the New York Times (6/15, A1, Harris, Subscription Publication) reports that FDA "regulators said they had yet to decide whether to end an SPF arms race in which manufacturers are introducing sunscreens with SPF numbers of 70, 80 and 100, even though such lotions offer little more protection than those with an SPF of 50." In fact, the FDA "had proposed allowing manufacturers to use SPF numbers no higher than 50, but that remains only a proposal (pdf) for which the agency will seek further comment." Nevertheless, many dermatologists are enthusiastic about the new rule. "Now, we'll be able to tell patients which sunscreens to get," said Henry W. Lim, MD, a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology.

        USA Today (6/15, Szabo) reports that currently, "the American Academy of Dermatology recommends both adults and children use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30." It is important to use enough of the product, too. Dermatologist Henry W. Lim, MD, explained that "the average person needs about one ounce of sunscreen – enough to fill a shot glass – to cover the body." Most people use considerably less.

        Also covering the story are the UK's Financial Times (6/15, Rappeport, Subscription Publication), the Wall Street Journal (615, D1, Dooren, Subscription Publication), the Wall Street Journal (6/15, Hobson, Subscription Publication) "Health Blog," the Washington Post (6/15, Petri) "ComPost" blog, the Star-Ledger (6/15, Todd), the CNN (6/14, Willingham) "The Chart" blog, the Columbus Dispatch (6/15, Jacobson), the NPR (6/14, Thrasybule) "Shots" blog, WebMD (6/14, DeNoon), HealthDay (6/14, Reinberg), MedPage Today (6/14, Walker), and Reuters (6/14). An FDA webcast of the press conference announcing the rule is available for viewing here.

        Myrtle Beach Dermatologist Says FDA Rule Is Insufficient. On its website, WPDE-TV Myrtle Beach, SC (6/14, Theis) reports, however, that a local dermatologist "says the dermatologist community was disappointed with the outcome of the regulations released today. 'Many doctors were hoping for more clarity in the muddled confusion of SPF, oxides, and other ingredients that often can confuse consumers,'" says Dr. Robert Bibb of Waccamaw Dermatology. He adds that doctors wanted a measurement system on sunscreen labels enabling consumer to understand a product's effectiveness in blocking UV-A rays. "SPF is B-rays only," he notes.

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oxybenzone safe!

Report: Exposure To Oxybenzone Through Normal Sunscreen Use Is Safe.

The New York Times (6/14, D5, O'Connor, Subscription Publication) "Really?" column takes on the claim that oxybenzone, "a chemical in sunscreen, absorbed through the skin, may be even more hazardous than the sun's rays." A study in rats concluded that animals consuming large doses of the substance developed side effects, such as abnormal growth of the uterus. However, "in March, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York published an independent report examining all the evidence on the subject and concluded that the alarming findings from early animal studies relied on unrealistic dosages" that human beings would never encounter while using sunscreen. The column concludes, "Exposure to oxybenzone, through normal sunscreen use, is safe, studies find."

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Sun and Infants

Too Much Sun Exposure May Be Especially Harmful For Infants.

The Time (6/10, Rochman) "Healthland" blog reported, "Too much time in the sun may be especially harmful for Baby, according to a review of new insights by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) into the importance of protecting young skin." Sunscreen may be applied to "babies six months and older," AAP guidelines say, but parents "should also practice sun avoidance, especially for kids under six months old, which means staying out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.," and dressing the little ones in "protective clothing."

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Cancer and Psoriasis

Cancer Patients May Have Worse Prognosis If They Previously Had Psoriasis.

MedWire (6/10, Guy) reported that, according to a study published online in the British Journal of Dermatology, "patients with cancer have a worse prognosis -- indicated by a greater cancer-specific and overall mortality excess -- if they have previously had psoriasis, compared with those who have not had the skin condition." After comparing "cancer-specific and overall mortality rates in a cohort of 1,746 previously psoriatic cancer patients and 1,011,757 cancer patients without psoriasis," researchers found "for all cancers, there was a significant survival disparity between those with previous psoriasis and those without, with a 1.27- and 1.26- fold increased risk among the former group for overall and cancer-specific mortality, respectively, during the study period."

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Wrinkling and Bones

Worse Wrinkling Associated With Lower Bone Density.

In continuing coverage, the Los Angeles Times (6/8, Cevallos) "Booster Shots" blog reported, "Deepening smile lines and crow's feet just might indicate weak bones, a risk for future fractures," according to research announced this week at an endocrinology meeting. For the study, Yale University researchers "peered at wrinkles on the faces and necks of 114 post-menopausal women and compared them to bone mass and density from X-ray and ultrasound measurements." What they found was "the worse the wrinkles, the lower the bone density."

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Nuts OK to infants?!

Giving Allergenic Foods To Babies May Not Cause Wheezing, Eczema Later.

Reuters (6/8, Joelving) reports that, according to a study published online June 6 in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, giving an infant nuts, milk from a cow, or other allergenic foods before the age of six months appears not to precipitate eczema or excessive wheezing as the child grows. After following some 7,000 babies until the age of four, then adjusting for confounding factors, such as maternal smoking, researchers found no indication that eggs, milk, or nuts were associated with eczema and wheezing later in childhood.

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Sun Damage During Year 1

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Sun Damage During First Year Of Life May Increase Later Risk For Skin Cancer.

WebMD (6/6, Mann) reported, "The changes that lead to skin cancer may actually begin during baby's first year, when an infant's skin is most vulnerable to burns and sun damage, according to a new report in the July issue of Pediatrics." At that time in a child's life, the skin is still developing and is more easily damaged by ultraviolet rays. For that reason, experts urge parents to keep babies and toddlers indoors during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and to apply sunscreen liberally to children before going outside, paying particularly attention to "ears, nose, and scalp." Because little children have sensitive skin, parents should perform a patch test first before trying out a new sunscreen on them. Finally, the sunscreen chosen should block both UVA and UVB rays.

Noisy Operating Rooms

Noisy Operating Rooms Associated With Increased Risk For Surgical Site Infections.

HealthDay (6/2, Dallas) reported, "Noisy operating rooms appear to put patients at greater risk for surgical site infections," according to a study published in the July issue of the British Journal of Surgery. After examining "35 patients who underwent planned, major abdominal surgery, taking into account demographic parameters, the length of their surgery and the level of noise in the operating room," researchers also found that "these surgical site infections...are associated with longer, more costly hospital stays."

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"Porexia"

Article Discusses Treatments For "Porexia."

In "Skin Deep," the New York Times (6/2, E3, Saint Louis, Subscription Publication) reports, "Like home renovators who overhaul the kitchen only to then find fault with the master bath, some dermatology patients feel that, once their wrinkles are relaxed and their brown spots treated, their pores stand out. Such is the level of worry that doctors have nicknamed the condition 'porexia.'" Dermatologist Mary Lupo, MD, of the Tulane University School of Medicine, explained, "Instead of looking at the global picture, they overfocus on an individual component of the picture." Unfortunately, the size of pores is genetically determined and grows as people age. Some dermatologists treat patients with big pores with an Isolaz machine, an FDA-approved device for the treatment of mild and moderate acne.

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Tea, Coffee May Reduce Risk Of MRSA.

Tea, Coffee May Reduce Risk Of MRSA.

Bloomberg News (7/12, Lopatto) reports, "People who consumed tea and coffee carried methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, in their noses half as often as those who didn't, according to a study released today in the Annals of Family Medicine." Researchers do not know the mechanism behind reduced MRSA colonization, but suggest it may be due to the steam from hot beverages entering people's noses. According to the CDC, MRSA kills about 15,000 people a year. The researchers say that "if the findings hold true in further studies, coffee and tea may prove inexpensive ways to keep MRSA to a minimum in the population."

        WebMD (7/11, Mann) reported that scientists acknowledge more research is needed. NYU Langone Medical Center director Philip Tierno remains skeptical, pointing out that "tea and coffee do have antimicrobial properties, but antibiotics, which have massive microbial properties, don't work at eliminating MRSA."

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Parkinson's Melanoma Link

Parkinson's Disease Patients May Have Twofold Higher Melanoma Risk.

Reuters (6/6, Grens) reported that patients with Parkinson's disease have twice the risk for developing melanoma, according to the results of meta-analysis published in the June 7 issue of the journal Neurology. Reuters quoted lead researcher Dr. Honglei Chen from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as saying, "It's prudent for Parkinson's patients to be more cautious about their skin health." The NIEHS supported the study.

        HealthDay (6/6, Reinberg) reported that the researchers reviewed "12 epidemiologic studies dating from 1965 through 2010." Although most of the studies "reported fewer than 10 cases where both conditions occurred," the study team found that "men with Parkinson's disease were twice as likely to develop melanoma as men without Parkinson's disease," while for women, the melanoma risk was 1.5 times "greater if they had Parkinson's" than those without the neurological disorder. Considering that both conditions "are relatively rare, the odds of having Parkinson's disease and melanoma are only about four percent," the authors concluded. WebMD (6/6, Mann) also covered the study.

        According to MSNBC (6/7, Golen), the researchers noted that the melanoma link was "bidirectional," as it was more "common in patients both before and after the onset of Parkinson's. .... 'It is unlikely that one disease has caused the other, but there is shared risk factors for both,'" said the study's lead author. These factors could be "environmental or genetic," he added.

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Obesity in Childhood Leads to Psoriasis

Obesity In Childhood May Increase Risk Of Developing Psoriasis.

The Los Angeles Times "Booster Shots" reported, "Obesity in childhood significantly increases the risk of developing psoriasis, and psoriasis may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life by increasing cholesterol levels," according to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics. For that reason, "patients with psoriasis early in life should be monitored for early signs of cardiovascular disease and given therapy to reduce the risk of later heart attacks and stroke, a team from Kaiser Permanente" suggested. Researchers arrived at these conclusions after examining "electronic health records of 710,949 ethnically diverse children."

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Daily Aspirin May Prevent Melanoma.

Long-Term Use Of Daily Aspirin May Prevent Melanoma.

MSNBC (6/23, Carroll) reported, "An aspirin a day may keep melanoma at bay," according to a new study. "After scrutinizing the medical records of 1,000 people, an international team of researchers have determined that the risk of melanoma was cut by almost half when people took a daily dose of aspirin for at least five years." Interestingly, "there was also a hint that other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (marketed as Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), might reduce melanoma risk if taken regularly over a long period of time."

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Sunscreens Not the Answer!

Environmental Working Group: Sunscreens Alone Cannot Prevent Skin Cancer.

The CNN (5/24, Caruso) "The Chart" blog reported that, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), "sunscreens alone cannot prevent cancer," a message the group drives home in its latest sunscreen report, encouraging people to stay in the shade, don clothing protective of the sun, avoid being out in the sun from 10 am to 4 pm, in addition to the use of sunscreens. This coming Friday, May 27, has been designated by the National Council on Skin Cancer, one member of which is the American Academy of Dermatology, as "Don't Fry Friday." The council recommends that people who want to prevent sun-related skin damage wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses designed for UVA and UVA protection, and choose sunscreen "products with UVA filters like avobenzone and octocrylene, as well as protection against UVB rays."

        WebMD (5/23, Doheny) focused on the EWG's "annual guide to sunscreen products," noting that "just one in five of more than 600 beach and sport sunscreens made the cut," while 11 products were consigned to the Hall of Shame. The EWG advised consumers to avoid using sunscreen sprays because they might be accidentally inhaled. Report co-author Sonya Lunder, MPH, of EWG, explained that "sunscreens with a form of vitamin A known as retinyl palminate -- in about 30% of sunscreens -- should also be avoided because of concerns about it producing skin lesions." In addition, "oxybenzone, which EWG calls a "hormone disrupter,' is another ingredient to be avoided, she says."

        AAD's Moy Addresses Health Concerns About Sunscreen Ingredients. In a press release (5/23), AAD president Ronald L. Moy, MD, FAAD, stated, "Contrary to recent reports, available scientific literature and decades of public use does not support a link between oxybenzone in sunscreen and hormonal alterations, or other significant health issues in humans." With regard to retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, "there is no evidence to suggest that use of sunscreen with" the chemical poses a risk for skin cancer. Finally, addressing the fear that nanoparticles found in sunscreens also pose a health risk, Dr. Moy said, "Considerable research on the use of nanoparticles on healthy, undamaged skin has shown that the stratum corneum -- the outermost layer of the skin -- is an effective barrier to preventing the entry of nanoparticles into the deeper layers of the skin."

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Botox Under 18 Ban

New Jersey Bill Would Ban Physicians From Giving Botulinum Toxin To Patients Under 18 For Cosmetic Reasons.

The AP (Lederman) reports that the New Jersey Legislature's "Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee approved legislation Thursday to clamp down on doctors injecting people under 18 with botulinum toxin for cosmetic purposes." The AP reports, "Federal and state regulations already restrict the use of Botox on patients under 18. The new legislation would require doctors to document in a patient's chart the non-cosmetic medical reason for performing the procedure on a minor."

        The Star-Ledger (Friedman) reports, "Use of Botox on minors for medical reasons would still be allowed, since it is used to treat facial spasms and certain eye conditions. The bill would leave it up to the State Board of Medical Examiners and the commissioner of Health and Senior Services to develop the regulations and set penalties." The Gloucester County Times (Beym) also covers the story.

Seems sad that this legislation is even necessary...BB

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Mysterious Morgellons Disease

Researchers Find No Physical Explanation For Delusional Infestation.

CNN /Health.com reported that, according to a study published online May 16 in the Archives of Dermatology, physicians now have "firm proof that...infestations -- known as delusional parasitosis or delusional infestation -- are not real." Patients who suffer from the problem "feel a constant creepy-crawly sensation beneath their skin, which they believe is due to bugs, worms, or eggs below the surface." The article also noted, "The CDC recently completed its own study of the condition, which the agency refers to as unexplained dermopathy, but the results have not yet been published."

        For the study, investigators performed skin biopsies and examinations on 108 "patients convinced that bugs, worms, or germs had invaded their skin," HealthDay reported. Notably, "the majority of the skin samples showed signs of dermatitis and other skin conditions, such as ulceration or inflammation. Only one skin sample revealed an insect with infestation potential -- a pubic louse."

        WebMD (5/16, Mann) reported that dermatologist Donald S. Waldorf, MD, "has developed his own approach to treating these patients," many of whom simply do not want to believe they are suffering from a psychiatric disorder. "Waldorf will often prescribe topical agents to prevent infections from scratching and may suggest steroids to reduce inflammation." If necessary, he may even prescribe an antipsychotic. In the case of many of these patients, he explained that if he told them to consult a psychiatrist, "I will have lost them, so I basically give them support and prevent infection."

        Reuters (5/17, Pittman) notes that delusional infestation is also referred to as Morgellons Disease. MedPage Today (5/16, Walsh) also covered the story.

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