Melanoma/Skin Cancer Health Center

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News and Features Related to Melanoma/Skin Cancer

Sunburns, Tanning Beds: Young Adults at Risk

May 10, 2012 -- Two new reports from the CDC are shedding more light on just how many young people may be soaking up ultraviolet (UV) rays -- whether it's outdoors or UV rays from indoor tanning. And there are signs of some worrisome trends: The sun-seeking habits of young men and women, along with
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Preventing Skin Cancer in Youths: Appeal to Vanity

May 7, 2012 -- If you're young, fair-skinned, and have a doctor's appointment soon, here's a prediction. Your doctor may give you a gentle lecture about sun protection. He or she may appeal to your vanity to reduce sun exposure now and the risk of skin cancer later. The counseling sessions are a new
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Melanoma Rates Skyrocketing in Young Adults

April 2, 2012 -- The risk of developing the most dangerous type of skin cancer is now more than six times higher among young adults than it was 40 years ago, and women may be especially vulnerable. A new study shows the number of melanomas found among women under 40 years old increased by more than
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Young Women Tan, Despite Health Risks

March 19, 2012 (San Diego) -- Most young women know that indoor tanning raises the risk of skin cancer, but two-thirds of sorority members at a Midwestern university used tanning beds in the past year, and 6% used them every week, a new survey shows. Also, 93% intentionally tanned outdoors in the pa
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Melanoma Patient Tumor Free in T-Cell Clone Study

March 5, 2012 -- One of 11 patients facing death from treatment-resistant, late-stage melanoma is cancer free 3.5 years after experimental treatment with clones of his own immune cells. "The patient is doing fine. He is a teacher in high school, and has been teaching from two or three months after h
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Vitamin A May Help Reduce Melanoma Risk

March 1, 2012 -- Can popping vitamin A supplements help stave off melanoma, the potentially fatal form of skin cancer? Maybe, a new study suggests. But even the researchers caution that it is too soon to make any recommendations about taking extra vitamin A to reduce risk for melanoma. Vitamin A can
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Zelboraf May Double Survival for Some Melanoma Patients

Feb. 22, 2012 -- The newly approved drug Zelboraf appears to nearly double the length of time a person can expect to live with advanced melanoma skin cancer, a new study shows. Melanoma kills about 9,000 Americans each year, and it often progresses quickly. Studies have found that the midpoint in su
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Tanning Booths Increase Risk of Most Common Skin Cancer

Dec. 14, 2011 -- Indoor tanning has been under heavy fire the last few years, and a new study will do nothing to tone down the assault. Indoor tanners are close to 70% more likely to develop the most common type of skin cancer before their 40th birthday, a new study shows. The skin cancer, basal cel
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'Sun Safety' Counseling Pays Off for Kids and Teens

Nov. 8, 2011 -- Catch them when they're young. That's the message at the heart of new guidelines by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that call for pediatricians and primary care doctors to discuss sun safety and skin cancer prevention with fair-skinned children, adolescents, and youn
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New Device Spots Melanoma

Nov. 2, 2011 -- MelaFind, a device that helps dermatologists decide whether to order a biopsy of suspected melanomas, has been approved by the FDA. Melanoma is a fast-growing skin cancer. It's often curable if detected early. If not, it's one of the most deadly kinds of cancer. MelaFind, from Mela S
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