Skin Cancer Archive

Many studies have explored the relationship between hair dye use and risk of cancer or cancer-related death, with conflicting findings. In a recent study, researchers analyzed survey data from over 117,000 women collected over several decades regarding hair dye use and overall cancer risk.

Screening for colorectal cancer can lower mortality, but it varies in effectiveness and is not always possible to perform, so alternatives are needed. Researchers analyzing studies found evidence for regular use of low-dose aspirin, leading the US Preventive Services Task Force to recommend it for some people.

In the journals

Colon cancer prevention involves following a healthy lifestyle — for instance, exercising and not smoking — and periodically getting a screening test such as a colonoscopy. But what impact do diet and medications have? A recent review of 80 statistical analyses published over the last 40 years explored this question. The review was published online Oct. 1, 2020, by the journal Gut.

Over all, the results were disappointing in that no specific drug, food, or supplement stood out in the body of evidence. Yet some of the reviewed studies did show a link between a lower risk of colon cancer and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) —and a higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. But other studies did not.

Research we're watching

Cosmetic procedures, including injection of neurotoxins (like Botox) and dermal fillers, have become very popular for their power to smooth wrinkles and minimize signs of aging. But the American Academy of Dermatology is warning that these procedures are not for DIYers. An article published in the April 2020 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology outlined an uptick in the number of illegal injectable fillers and neurotoxins being sold to the public online. When used by trained providers, these products are generally safe, but serious complications can arise, including stroke, infections, blindness, and tissue death. In rare cases, improper use leads to fatal complications. Some people have been purchasing these products online and following Internet tutorials to inject the products themselves. If you are planning on having any of these treatments, be certain to have the procedure performed in a medical office by a licensed medical professional.

Image: © Anastasiia Kurman/Getty Images

The benefits of tub baths are more than skin deep. Bathing regularly can help ease pain and potentially benefit your heart.

You know that sinking into a warm bath at the end of a long day can help you relax and unwind, but did you know it might also be good for your health? Research shows that using baths as a form of medical therapy, sometimes referred to as balneotherapy (see "Balneotherapy, or bath therapy"), can bring health benefits — among them, easing certain types of chronic pain, helping your skin, and potentially even improving heart health.

Certain drugs or treatments may affect the skin, causing side effects like excessive dryness or blue spots.

Having problems with your skin? You may want to look in your medicine cabinet. Numerous prescription drugs and even over-the-counter treatments may bring unexpected skin changes, says Dr. Suzanne Olbricht, an associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. Medications to look out for include the following.

Blood-thinning medications

Spontaneous bruising that occurs even without bumping into something becomes more common as you get older. Doctors call it senile or actinic purpura and it happens often in people who take medication to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or even a baby aspirin. "As you age, the dermis, the thick middle layer of the skin, begins to thin and doesn't support the blood vessels inside as well as it used to," says Dr. Olbricht. This can make the blood vessels more likely to break. Even the tiniest injury can release blood under the skin, leading to the discoloration and dark purple bruises that characterize this condition.

Drinking no more than four or five 8-ounce cups of coffee per day—equal to about 400 milligrams of caffeine—helps people get the drink's health benefits with a lower risk of caffeine side effects like anxiety and nervousness.

This daily routine can help your aging skin stay healthy.

Your skin goes through many changes as you age. All you need to do is look in the mirror.

Aging skin loses fat and becomes thinner and drier. Red and pimply spots can appear on the face (a condition known as rosacea).