Reduce Your Melanoma Risk

By  The Melanoma Research Alliance

Cutting-edge research funded by the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) continues to advance our understanding of the causes of melanoma. While pursuing a cure, the MRA also encourages the public to know the dangers of melanoma and to take these simple steps to reduce risk.

• Protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays. Exposure to damaging UV rays from the sun and tanning devices is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. Research shows an association between sunburn and melanoma, so it pays to be sun-smart every day: Wear protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses and broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 30 all year long; seek shade; and avoid being out midday, when the sun's rays are most intense.
• Avoid indoor tanning. Indoor tanning has been shown to increase the risk of melanoma by up to 75 percent. The World Health Organization has classified tanning devices as cancer-causing, and other scientific authorities (including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) warn that tanning devices cause such serious health risks as skin cancer, burns, premature skin aging and eye damage. Melanoma is the number-one new cancer diagnosed in young adults; scientists attribute this trend to the use of tanning beds among this age group, particularly young women.
• Know your skin and *examine it regularly. Recognizing skin changes is the best way to detect melanoma early. Look for the ABCDEs of melanoma: moles or growths that are Asymmetrical, have an irregular Border, exhibit changes in Color, have a Diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser or have Evolved in size or thickness. If you notice one or more of these signs, see your doctor. Those with high risk factors—fair skin, red or blond hair and light eyes, history of sunburn or excessive UV radiation exposure, many (or unusual) moles, *family or personal history of melanoma, weakened immune system—should consider discussing regular skin examinations with their dermatologist or health care provider.
• Modify Your Diet. 

1. The juicy pulp found inside the orange contains powerful antioxidants, including a healthy dose of vitamin C. But the high concentration of essential oils and plant chemicals found on the outside of the orange (in the oil glands of the orange peel) also contribute to a healthful diet that can prevent melanoma and other cancers (including breast and pancreatic cancers, some leukemias and neuroblastomas).The two plant chemicals that have been identified in the orange peel are d-limonene and perillyl alcohol; both belong to the large class of phytochemicals called monoterpenes. While highly concentrated in the essential oils of citrus fruits, the monoterpenes are also present in some herbs (such as mint), some vegetables and other fruits (such as grapefruit and lemon peels).
2. Add Flaxseed to your diet.
3. Add lutein and zeaxanthin from fruits and vegetables to your diet. While most people associate lutein and zeaxanthin with dark green, leafy vegetables, they are found in high concentrations in a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and in egg yolks, as shown below:

Foods Rich in Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein (Molecular Weight %)                                   Zeaxanthin (Molecular  (Molecular Weight %)       

Corn                                         30                                25

Egg yolk                                    54                               35

Kiwi                                          54                                0

Pumpkin                                    49                                0

Zucchini                                    47                                5

Spinach                                     47                                0

Yellow squash                            44                                0

Red seedless grapes                   43                               10

Peas                                         41                                0

Cucumber                                  38                                4

Butternut squash                       37                                 0

Green pepper                            36                                 3

Red grapes                               33                                 4

Celery                                      32                                 2

Orange juice                             15                                20

Honeydew                                17                                18

Orange pepper                           8                                 37

Orange                                     7                                 15

Mango                                      2                                 16

Amounts shown are for a five-gram piece of fruit or vegetable.

Adapted from: Sommerburg O, Keunen JE, Bird AC, et al.2

These values may vary with the cultivar.44

Of 35 fruits and vegetables examined for their lutein and zeaxanthin content, corn was found to have the greatest quantity of lutein and orange pepper the most zeaxanthin.2 Lutein is found in many fruits and vegetables, while zeaxanthin is present in only a small number of fruits and vegetables.2 In fact, most dark green vegetables contain only traces of zeaxanthin.2 Cooking green, leafy vegetables reduces their lutein content,3 while eating whole spinach leaves rather than chopped spinach improves lutein absorption from the intestinal tract.4 One study, however, found that vegetable juice provides better lutein absorption than raw or cooked vegetables.5 The greatest quantities of lutein and zeaxanthin are found in egg yolk.2

• Taking Vitamin D & Calcium May significantly reduce the risk of melanoma in women at high risk for the disease because of a history of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Call A&E Beauty Laser of Austin to request your professional skin care product or treatment service, 512-921-1411, or email:  myskin@aebeautylaser.com