Day: December 15, 2016

Why is skin cancer an issue?

• 2/3 australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by 70!
• More than 2000 people in Australia die from skin cancer each year and
• The Cancer Council estimates that Australia spends more than $1 billion per year treating skin cancer, with costs increasing substantially over the past few years.

Preventing skin cancer

slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.

It’s just so easy to accidentally damage your skin. Even if you don’t intend to obtain a sun-tan, many Aussies often report that they have suntanned skin. This could be from very basic activities such as mowing your lawn, doing the gardening, having a barbecue, playing sports or going for a walk down the Berwick High Street! Even just passive recreation around the home can put you at risk of developing cancerous moles, if you don’t take proper steps to protect yourself.

It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor about your level of risk and for advice on early detection.

How to perform a skin check on yourself

Getting to know your skin and picking up on changes is one of the keys to reducing your skin cancer risk. This is because skin cancers rarely hurt and are more frequently seen than felt.

To check your skin, do the following regularly:

• Make sure you check your entire body as skin cancers can sometimes occur in parts of the body not exposed to the sun, for example soles of the feet, between fingers and toes and under nails.
• Undress completely and make sure you have good light.
• Use a mirror to check hard to see spots, like your back and scalp, or get a family member, partner or friend to check it for you.

What should you look for?

• New spots
• Changes to existing freckles or moles

There are three main types of skin cancer- melanoma (including nodular melanoma), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Melanoma

Melanoma

• Most deadly form of skin cancer.
• If left untreated can spread to other parts of the body.
• Appears as a new spot or an existing spot that changes in colour, size or shape.
• Can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun.

Nodular melanoma

Nodular melanoma

• Grows quickly.
• Looks different from common melanomas. Raised and even in colour.
• Many are red or pink and some are brown or black.
• They are firm to touch and dome-shaped.
• After a while they begin to bleed and crust.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma

• Most common, least dangerous form of skin cancer.
• Red, pale or pearly in colour, appears as a lump or dry, scaly area.
• May ulcerate or fail to completely heal.
• Grows slowly, usually on areas that are often exposed to the sun.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

• A thickened, red scaly spot that may bleed easily, crust or ulcerate.
• Grows over some months, usually on areas often exposed to the sun.
• More likely to occur in people over 50 years of age.

What do I do if I notice changes?

Your GP will be able to assess any moles or changes in colour to anything on your skin and advise on the next steps. Your GP may recommend that they perform a mole removal procedure, or that they take a biopsy to check whether your mole is cancerous or not.

What is a mole removal procedure?

If your doctor does recommend a procedure, these can typically be performed by your GP in the treatment room of the medical centre. Usually the appointment would go for about half an hour, and involve the GP with the help of the practice nurse making you comfortable, applying anaesthetic and then removing or taking a biopsy of the area in question. You would then return for the follow up of results, and for the doctor to continue to monitor you.

What if I don’t want to or can’t do the skin check myself?

Your GP should be more than happy to perform a skin check for you. This is typically a half hour appointment, which involves your GP assessing all areas of your skin and examining any existing moles or freckles with a device called a dermatoscope.

HealthMint offers skin checks and mole removal in our practice located near the border of Berwick, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne. If in doubt – come on in for a skin check. We’ve had many experiences where people have come in for a completely unrelated issue and our doctors have picked up and removed cancerous moles. With summer approaching, now is the perfect time to have those moles or freckles looked at, it’s just not worth the risk of leaving them unchecked!

Joints in the body do more than just form the connections between bones.

They also provide support and make movement possible.

Any damage to the joints secondary to injury or movement will not only cause pain but will also interfere with movement.

Pain in the joints can be attributed to numerous causes including rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, gout, sprains, osteoarthritis, and injuries, among other things.

Joint pain is very common.

While it can affect any part of the body, it often occurs in the knees, followed by the shoulder and the hips.

Pain in the joints becomes more prevalent with age.

Joint pain can be mildly irritating to downright debilitating.

Some can go away after a few weeks (acute) or can persist for several weeks or months (chronic).

Unfortunately, short-term swelling and pain can already affect the individual’s quality of life.

Treatment options for joint pain includes physical therapy, alternative treatments, and medication.

The primary goals of joint pain treatment include reducing inflammation and pain and preserving joint function.

Medications

For pain in the joint that is moderate to severe, prescription or over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen are often prescribed.

For mild pain without any swelling, acetaminophen is considered effective.

However, if the pain is so severe and does not respond to NSAIDs, a stronger opioid medication might be recommended.

However, while taking OTC medications is an option, seeking immediate medical attention is considered a must when the joint becomes deformed or inflamed, when the pain gets very intense, and when using the joint becomes impossible.

Other medications that can help minimize joint pain include:

• Antiepileptic and antidepressant drugs (works by interfering with pain signals)
• Muscle relaxants (treats muscle spasms and is often used together with NSAIDs for more effective pain relief)

Topical Agents

A substance present in chili peppers known as capsaicin has been known to relieve joint pain secondary to arthritis and other conditions.

Capsaicin works by blocking substance P (substance that helps transmit the pain signals) and trigger the release of endorphins in the body.

Topical creams that contain methyl salicylate (Ben Gay) have also been proven effective.

Injections

If oral or topical medications does not provide any relief, injecting a steroid medication into the joint every 3 to 4 months might be suggested.

Steroid injections are often recommended for patients with joint disease, arthritis, and tendinitis.

While considered effective, this treatment option only provides temporary relief.

Physical Therapy

To improve the range of motion, stabilize the joint, and strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint, physical therapy is necessary.

A physical therapist will employ several techniques like heat or cold therapy, electric nerve stimulation, ultrasound, and manipulation.

For those who are carrying excess weight, losing the extra pounds can do wonders as it can help take some pressure off the joints.

Exercise would be an effective way to lose weight.

However, it is advisable to stick only to low-impact exercises—swimming, bicycling, etc.—so irritating the joint further is avoided.

Home Care

Management of short-term joint pain at home can be done using the PRICE method.

• Protecting the joint using a wrap or a brace.
• Resting the joint and avoiding activities that may cause pain.
• Icing the joint several times a day (15 minutes each time).
• Compressing the joint utilizing an elastic wrap
• Elevating the joint above the level of the heart.

Alternative Treatments

Some research show that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can help improve joint function and ease joint pain.

Both substances are components found in a normal cartilage.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements come in liquid, capsule, tablet, or powder form.

While the supplements have not been proven to work for everyone, they are deemed safe as they have no known side effects.