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Actinic Keratosis Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," Is actinic keratosis a major or minor problem in the USA? Is there a simple solution to its elimination? Who can I contact in reference to this? Thank you. Li Liu, MD,...
Bowen's Disease Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," What is Bowen's disease and how do you treat it? Thank you. F. Li Liu, MD, OncoLink editorial assistant, responds: Dear F: Thank you for your interest and question. ...
Cancer Risk With Actinic Keratosis Question I have been told I have some spots on my skin called"actinic keratosis." Does this mean I will get skin cancer? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: If you have an AK, you are at...
Combination Insect Repellents and Sunscreens Question Are the combination products of sun block and insect repellent as effective as sun block alone? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: The sun bock in a bug repellent combo should...
Does Sunscreen Expire? Question Does sunscreen really expire? If so, how do I know how long it is good for? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: Sunscreen does have an expiration date imprinted somewhere on the...
Extramammary Paget's Disease Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," My father was recently diagnosed with Paget's disease of the scrotum. What are the treatment options for this disease? Thank you very much. S Li Liu, MD, OncoLink editorial...
Family History of Melanoma Question Does having a family history of melanoma increase my chances of getting it? Answer Christopher Miller, MD, Dermatologist & Moh's Surgeon at Penn Medicine responds: A family history of melanoma does increase your chances of getting...
If I Don't Burn, I won't Get Skin Cancer Question If you don't get burned, then you can't get skin cancer: Fact or Myth? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: MYTH!! Any person can get skin cancer. Fair skin, red hair, and blue...
Is a Cancerous Mole Painful? Question Are skin cancer moles usually painful? Answer Christopher Miller, MD, Dermatologist & Moh's Surgeon at Penn Medicine and Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine respond: Skin cancer moles are...
Is Higher SPF Better? Question Is it always better to get the highest SPF sunscreen I can find? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreens with an SPF...
Kidney Transplant and Skin Cancers Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I had a kidney transplant 26 years ago, and in the past 15 years, I have had many warts that have been biopsied and found to have basal or squamous cell cancer. These have been excised, but they heal very slowly. I...
Medications Causing Sun Sensitivity Question Are there special precautions to take if you are on a medication that says "may increase sun sensitivity?" Answer Christopher Miller, MD, Dermatologist & Moh's Surgeon at Penn Medicine responds: Certain medications, such as...
Melanoma in Fingernail Question Melanoma can occur under a fingernail: Fact or Myth? Answer Christopher Miller, MD, Dermatologist & Moh's Surgeon at Penn Medicine and Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine resond: It is a...
Merkel Cell Carcinoma Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I need a question answered. I have a friend whose husband has skin cancer. The doctors have mentioned something about Merkel Cells, which apparently are rare. Can you tell me something about these...
Merkel's Cell Carcinoma Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," Please send me information on "Merkel's Cell Carcinoma." A friend of mine has been diagnosed with that illness and I'd like to find out about it. Kenneth R. Blank, MD, OncoLink...
Mohs Micrographic Surgery Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My father-in-law was recently diagnosed with melanoma of the eyelid. Could you please tell me how this is treated? Is it possible to remove one's eyelid? Christopher J. Miller, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology...
Risk of Skin Cancer After Basal Cell (BCC) Question If someone has a basal cell skin cancer, are they at risk to get other skin cancer spots or a more serious cancer like melanoma? Answer Christopher J. Miller, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Abramson Cancer Center of the...
Skin Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I have a question about sun block products. What active ingredients should be present in a product to be effective and in what percentage. Also are their any products that you can suggest. Brand names can...
Skin Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment Question How is skin cancer diagnosed and treated? Will I need to see a dermatologist or a cancer doctor? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: Skin cancer is definitively diagnosed through...
SPF of Clothing Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have seen clothing that has SPF on the label. Is this effective? Carolyn Vachani RN, MSN, AOCN, OncoLink's Nurse Educator, responds:It’s good that you are thinking outside the sunscreen box for ways to reduce sun...
Sun Protection in an Infant Question Can you use sunscreen lotion on a young child, less than 1 year-old? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: The American Academy of Pediatrics has said to use sunscreen by 6 months...
Sun Safety Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have a question about sun block products. What active ingredients should be present in a product to be effective and in what percentage. Also are their any products that you can suggest. Brand names can be helpful....
Sunglasses Protecting Against UV Rays Question Sunglasses are just fashionable. They don't actually protect against the sun's harmful rays: Fact or Myth? Answer Christopher Miller, MD, Dermatologist & Moh's Surgeon at Penn Medicine responds: Sunglasses can protect your eyes from...
Sunscreen Best Defense? Question Sunscreen should not be your first line of defense against harmful UV rays: Fact or Myth? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: FACT!! Sunscreen is always your last line of...
Tanning Beds and Skin Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," Do tanning beds cause skin cancer? Thank you. Li Liu, MD, Editorial Assistant for OncoLink, responds: Dear F: Thank you for your interest and question. Tanning...
Use of GM-CSF for the treatment of malignant melanoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Do you have any current info on the use of GM-CSF for the treatment of malignant melanoma? I would appreciate any help in finding most current info on the effectiveness of this treatment. Julia Draznin Maltzman,...
What Does SPF Mean? Question A sun block with SPF of 30 will protect me from the sun for 30 minutes: Fact or Myth? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: SPF increases the time you have in the sun before your...
White T-Shirt SPF Question A white cotton t-shirt is adequate coverage to protect against the sun if I'm sitting on the beach: Fact or Myth? Answer Rachel Woods, RN, Nurse for the Surgical Dermatology Program at Penn Medicine responds: MYTH!! A white cotton...