Bio-terrorism Information
Winter Health Tips

Skin Cancer

Becoming more familiar with your body and protecting your skin while you are in the sun for an extended period of time will help decrease your chance of getting skin cancer. The earlier you can identify the signs of skin cancer, the more likely you will improve your chance of finding precancerous skin conditions. There are several types of skin cancer and many ways to prevent the progression of skin cancer.

I. Types of Skin Cancer

• Lentigo Maligna Melanoma
  This type of melanoma looks like big freckles or lentigos that grow outward slowly while getting fewer darker spots toward the center. This cancer is usually found in people older than seventy.
• Superficial Spreading Melanoma
  This cancer accounts for the majority of melanoma in the United States, Australia and Europe. This cancer is located on different parts of the body for men and women. It is usually found on the calves of women and the backs of men. Superficial Spreading Melanoma has an irregular shape and it is intensely pigmented on the skin. The lesions are flat and macular. The lesion may vary in color, bluish-black to brown or red. The lesions may also ooze and become crusty.
• Nodular Malignant Melanoma
  This cancer is often seen in younger patients usually affected by Superficial Spreading Melanoma or Lentigo Maligna Melanoma. The lesions are usually a raised bluish-black module. The skin is normal adjacent to and surrounding the lesion.
• Acral Lentiginous Melanoma
  This cancer is similar to a benign, pigmented macular area or lentigo. It develops on the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet. A few black, nodular areas will arise as this skin cancer develops.
• Subungual Malignant Melanoma
  This cancer mimics the look of a fungal infection beneath the toenail or a severely stubbed toe. The skin pigment underneath the toenail becomes very dark. The affected area can also become inflamed resulting in redness and swelling.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

This cancer is the most common type of skin cancer. It is also divided into two different categories, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcimona.

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
  The most common skin tumor is Basal Cell Carcinoma. Caucasians are at the highest risk of developing this type of skin cancer, usually descendants of the Scottish or Irish. Risk Factors include a large number of nevi on the back and the inability to tan. This type of cancer has slow growing modules somewhat translucent and shinny. They will grow to about the width of a pencil eraser over a period of one to two years. The middle of the module will begin to ulcerate or break open and sink back to normal skin level after the module has grown for some time. The lesion edges will remain raised and translucent creating a rolled, raised border. Ninety percent of this cancer is found on the head and neck.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  This cancer can be difficult to detect because it is lumped together with basal cell carcinoma. Squamous Cell Carcinoma usually occurs in white-skinned people that had lots of exposure to the sun uv rays as youngsters. Squamous Cell Carcinoma has a higher mortality rate that basal cell carcinoma even though this cancer is less common that basal cell carcinoma. Risk factors include having blond hair, blue eyes, freckling during childhood, chronic sun exposure, X-rays, immunosuppressive drug therapy, human papilloma virus, photo chemotherapy and Occupational or Industrial carcinogen exposure. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually small, crusty modules that are consistent and refuse to go away. They are visible on the lower lip.”

II. Warning Signs (Safe in the Sun, 129-130)

• Spots on the skin that change in color shape and size within one to two years.
• Lesions that may ooze or become crusty.
• Lesions that are raised and become a bluish-black module.
• Lesions that are small crusty modules that refuses to go away.
• Pigment underneath the toenail that becomes very dark.

III. Who is at risk of getting skin cancer? (Skin Cancer 2002 Communication Guide, 3)

Everyone can get skin cancer. Skin cancer most often occurs in people with a lighter complexion, however Hispanic and African American can still be affected. People who develop a mole changing in size or color are 400 times more likely to develop Malignant Melonoma. People who are constantly exposed to the sun’s UV rays without taking the proper precaution are 2 to 4 times as likely to develop skin cancer.

IV. Prevention (Skin Cancer 2002 Communication Guide, 3,6)

• Do a monthly exam in the shower. Become familiar with your body’s blemishes, moles and birthmarks.
• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeve shirts, pant and hats.
• Use Sunscreen SPF 15 or higher and reapply every 30 minutes if you’re consistently out in the sun.
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses with 99-100 % UV absorption.

For additional Information about skin cancer please call the American Red Cross at 1-888-227-6446 or CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at 1-888-842-6355.

References

1) THE SKIN CANER RESOURCES DIRECTORY (Cancer Index.org) Overview of skin cancer.

2) SAFE IN THE SUN; Siegel, Mary Ellen; Pages 4, 109, 110

3) COPING WITH MELANOMA AND OTHER SKIN CANCERS; Long, Wendy; Pages 2,8,17-30,44

4) SKIN CANCER 2002 COMMUNICATION GUIDE; American Cancer Society, Ohio Division, Inc. Pages3, 6

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer accounts for a significant number of malignancies in men over the age of 50. In the United States it is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer, other than skin cancer, among men. The cause of prostate cancer is unknown.

1. What is the incidence?

The American Caner Society estimates that 198,100 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and that 31,500 men will die of the disease in 2001. In Lucas County alone, prostate cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths.

2. Who is at risk?

• Age: In the US, prostate cancer is found mainly in men over the age of 55. The average age of patients at the time of diagnosis is 70.
• Race: This disease is much more common in African American men than in white men. It is less common is Asian and American Indian men.
• Family History: A man's risk for developing prostate cancer is higher if his father or brother has had the disease.
• Diet and Dietary Factors: Some evidence suggests that a diet high in animal fat may increase the risk of prostate cancer and a diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk. Studies are in process to learn whether men can reduce their risk of prostate cancer by taking certain dietary supplements.

• A sensation to urinate frequently, especially at night;
• Difficulty starting to urination or holding back urine;
• Inability to urinate;
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Blood in urine or semen;
• Painful urination;
• Painful ejaculation;
• Difficulty to have an erection; or
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

• Digital rectal exam: The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into rectum and feels the prostate through the rectal wall to check for hard or lumpy areas.
• Blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA): Measures the levels of PSA in a blood sample. The level of PSA may rise in men who have prostate cancer, BPH, or infection in the prostate.

• Family Physician
• Community Health Care Providers
• Health Clinics
• Area Hospitals

• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion (770) 488-4751
  Cancerinfo@cdc.gov
  http://www.cdc.gov/cancer
• American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345
• Local Academy of Medicine can provide names of prostate cancer specialist at (419) 473-3200

Head Lice

A head louse is an insect that lives on the scalp and lays eggs in the hair. A louse is the size of a sesame seed. It is wingless so it does not jump or fly, but it has claws and legs, which make it an active, fast crawling insect that can hang on a strand of hair. The eggs, also called nits, are very small oval or tear shaped, white or tan colored and attach on hair close to the strand of hair. If either lice or nits are found, the head should be treated. The steps needed to eliminate head lice and nits are:

1. Treatment to the hair with a lice killing product.

2. Nit removal.

3. Clean up of the environment.

Treatment

There are several different treatments and products available to eliminate head lice. It is very important to use as directed. Most treatments are applied to dry hair. Never use these products on or near the eyes. All persons in the household who have head lice should be treated. Pregnant females, children under the age of three, a person who has allergies, asthma, epilepsy. Pre-existing medical conditions or a person has lice in the eyebrows or eyelashes should consult a physician before using any treatments. All persons should retreat in 7-10 days or as directed on the label.

Nit Removal

Nit removal after treatment is the only way to eliminate the infestation from the head. Most schools follow a “no nit “ policy, which means that the child cannot be readmitted to the school until all nits are removed from the head. Nits are difficult to remove because they are cemented to the head by a glue-like fluid produced by the female louse. Nit removal is time consuming. The procedure to follow is: 1. Work in an area with strong light. 2. Separate hair into sections and remove nits with a fine tooth-comb or fingernails. Plastic combs that are included in kits are usually not effective for this. Fine-toothed metal combs are more effective. 3. It is very important to check the head every day for the next 1-2 weeks and remove any lice or nits that are found.

Clean the Environment

Machine wash all washable items used by the person with head lice such as clothing, towels, bed linens, etc. in hot water and dry at least 20 minutes on hot cycle in dryer. Store non-washable items such as bike or sports helmets, headsets with foam earpieces, in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks. Vacuum mattresses, furniture, carpets, car interiors, and car seats and dispose of the bag. Do not use lice sprays. Soak combs, brushes, barrettes, and other hair care items in hot water (130) for 15 minutes. Head lice need a human head to survive. Head lice rarely survive off the head for more than 36 hours. Lice do not live on pets.

Notify your child’s school, camp, day-care, and neighborhood parents if your child has head lice. Check for lice on a regular basis. The best way to protect your family and community is to check for head lice on a regular basis.

For further information:

www.headlice.org or www.licemeister.org