July 2021 – Protect yourself from those rays.

July 2021 • Volume 15, No. 7

From the Editor

It’s that time of year. The weather is hot and sunny, outdoor activities beckon, and it’s UV Protection Month: a good reminder of the importance of protecting our skin (and eyes) from UV rays. 

For this issue, we’re taking a look at skin cancer.

Each year in the U.S., nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer at a cost that exceeds $8.1 billion. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is responsible for nearly 9,000 deaths each year. Although genetic factors can increase a person’s risk, the most common types of skin cancer are strongly associated with exposure to UV radiation, including as many as 90% of melanomas, according to the Surgeon General’s office.

You already know how to protect yourself: wear a hat, sunglasses, and other protective clothing when you go out, even for short periods; seek shade; and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15+ to protect any exposed skin. Also, avoid indoor tanning devices, like tanning beds and booths. But are you really doing all those things?

Scroll down for some basic information about skin cancer surgeries and learn about recent advances in the field.

Our Student in the Spotlight is Madison Feaster, BSN, RN CNOR, Houston, TX.

You will also find jobs we’ve collected for you and NIFA’s favorite links.

Enjoy!

Julie Lancaster, Editor

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Skin Cancer Surgery News

Innovative Bladeless Electron-Beam Therapy Coming to Tampa for Skin Cancer Treatment.

ForCare Medical Center will be the second facility in the nation and first in the Tampa area to offer long-awaited bladeless, electron-beam therapy for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma).
Read more . . .

Yale Researchers Develop Injection to Treat Skin Cancer.

“Yale researchers are developing a skin cancer treatment that involves injecting nanoparticles into the tumor, killing cancer cells with a two-pronged approach, as a potential alternative to surgery,” writes William Weir of YaleNews.
Read more . . .

Yale Researchers Develop Injection to Treat Skin Cancer.

“A gecko named Mr. Frosty and his kin have helped scientists uncover the genetic glitch that gives these lizards their standout color—and their high risk for skin tumors,” writes Maria Temming of Science News.

“The geckos are a variety of leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) called Lemon Frost, which sports stark white skin that not only highlights its yellow coloring, but also tends to develop tumors. A new study pegs these Lemon Frost traits to a single gene that has also been implicated in the skin cancer melanoma in people.”
Read the full article in Science News . . .
Read the scientific report…

AI vs. Skin Cancer: An Algorithm Can Determine Which Moles Need a Doctor’s Attention.

“Early detection is key to surviving melanoma, a type of malignant tumor responsible for more than 70% of skin-cancer-related deaths worldwide,” writes Meagan Lewis of MIT Technology Review. “But ‘suspicious pigmented skin lesions’ (SPLs) are so common it’s impractical for doctors to check them all out. Now MIT researchers have developed a tool that can analyze skin photos taken with a smartphone to determine which SPLs should be evaluated by a dermatologist.” 
Read more . . .

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