Question:
Does anyone have suggestions for treating Bowen's Disease,
squamous, or Basal Cell carcinomas through alternative means?
Answer:
I am *only* going to answer this question for squamous and basal cell
carcinomas, for that's where I have good knowledge.
DON'T USE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR THESE PROBLEMS!
First of all, one must understand that the two forms of cancer I will
address are basically benign. They can, and do enlarge over time, but
they don't metastise. They can, and should, be removed, mainly for
purely cosmetic reasons (initially, they're small and ugly and they
can grow to be big and ugly). Generally, a dermatologist does this
by freezing or burning them, in the office. This is highly effective
treatment.
Now, this sort of problem is generally *preventable*! When out in
the sun (both in the summer and winter), you should protect your
skin. Use sunscreens with SPF factor 18 or better, and liberally
apply it to your skin. Suntans are *very* unhealthy: they markedly
increase your risk of skin cancer. Wear a hat and be fully clothed
to protect your skin from the sun. Be sure to re-apply sunscreen
frequently, particularly if you've been sweating or swimming (it
does wash off).
SPF factor: Sun Protection Factor: SPF factor * amount of time
you can stay in the sun without sunscreen without burning =
amount of time you can stay in the sun without burning if you
use the sunscreen *properly*. Since it's unsafe to tan, you
want to choose a sunscreen that will block nearly all of the
UVA/UVB rays, so you don't get a sunburn nor do you get a
tan.
One of the NewAge (rhymes with sewage) papers here in Boston had
an article last summer from a massage therapist who recomended an
herbal concoction that she claimed was an effective sunscreen.
By the definition of SPF, her concoction was approximately SPF 1.2.
Yet, she promoted it as an effective sunscreen! She had absolutely
no idea that suntanning was not healthy, that it increased one's
risk of skin cancers. She was totally uninformed, yet whe was
representing herself as a 'skin care expert'! What hokum!
To the nutritionists out there, are there supplements that can
help reduce people's suceptibility to sunburns/skin cancers? If
so, I'd hope someone posts the info.
I hope that helps
