Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers in the Millions and Rising

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As a facial plastic surgeon in Richmond, VA, I see cases of skin cancer every day. Today I scheduled one patient for a 3 hour surgery to remove metastatic skin cancer in the neck and a second to have his ear amputated. Tomorrow, I put the finishing touches on a total nasal reconstruction, fashioned from ear cartilage and forehead skin. Patients with skin cancer have a 50% chance of a second skin cancer within 3 years.
In addition to cancer, sun damage rapidly accelerates the aging process, causing thick, leathery and wrinkled skin. Combine sun damage with tobacco smoke, and a young woman can look like an old lady before she is 40.
www.RichmondENT.com

Mike Armstrong, MD of VA 9:27PM March 18, 2010

Warning people to avoid sun exposure completely has created a deficiency of vitamin D that now affects 60-90 percent of the population. If you think you're not in this group, get your blood levels tested. Every time tests are done on any large group of subjects, they record these kinds of numbers.

Stan of GA 6:26PM March 15, 2010

My husband died of a Melanoma. I know how it works. These young people in tanning booths are asking for cancer. Sun bathers of the 70's were never aware of the long lasting effects of the sun. Look at the Native Americans....in the sun all day and their skin looks like leather.
Please keep information coming about this disease that is preventable.

Elaine Strong of OH 5:35PM March 15, 2010