More men than women die of melanoma because the cancer is detected at advanced stages, and men may be less aware of changes in moles than women are.

In Britain, each year almost 2000 people (almost half are men) die from melanoma. Melanoma has become the second most prevalent cancer after prostate cancer in the UK. More alarming is how melanoma incidence is almost doubling every 10-20 years in countries with predominantly white populations.

What many may not realize is how this disease is cumulative, meaning you can develop it over the span of your life time. Sunburns and blistering (peeling) sunburns are bad, bad, bad.

Post from: Blisstree

To Our UK Male Friends: Please Wear Sunscreen!

This prompted lots of press releases about how “exercise protects against skin cancer.” (and if you want to know how I feel about this type of hype, just see my previous post on ginger and cancer!)

What can we conclude?

1. These are mice, not human, sometimes what happens in mice doesn’t translate to humans.
2. The results are interesting, and clinical studies with human will be helpful.
3. Exercising is good, in general, so I’m all for it, for general health benefits.

Post from: Blisstree

Preliminary Data Suggests Exercise May Protect Against Skin Cancer

HealthLinx is an Australian biotech company that had licensed the technology from The Royal Women’s Hospital and University of Melbourne, codevelopers of the test. The company is seeking 3000 women for clinical trials of this blood test (via finger prick) to detect ovarian cancer. The clinical trial has also Women’s Cancer Foundation’s Ovarian Cancer Institute and ARL Pathology as collaborators.

Although this test targets mid- to late-stage disease, data is promising for detecting early stage.

And early stage detection is what we need most for this (and any) cancer type!

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Australian Women Wanted for Clinical Study on Ovarian Cancer Diagnostic Test

To put it in perspective, Rachel had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting breast cancer. But as life goes, sometimes it takes just “that one shot” to land into a tough situation. (Plus, Rachel said she hadn’t bought a lottery ticket.)

But Rachel’s story showed the importance of reglar screening and self exams.

Rachel found it hard to have breast cancer as a young patient. It changed her social life and chemotherapy altered her appearances (loss of hair and eyebrows). She found little in common with other cancer patients, who tended to be older.

Getting in touch with a breast cancer support group that had young patients like Rachel made a big difference, she now knows she’s not alone.

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Young Women with Breast Cancer

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Scottish Charities Aiming to Make Life-Saving Drugs Free

I’m not naive. I know many are still smoking, either because they are addicted to the nicotine/psychological outcomes of smoking, or they honestly don’t believe anything bad can happen to them healthwise (”I’m invincible” belief).

So I’m glad to see Cory over at Baldiness post a list of not just the health problems associated with smoking, but the beauty problems!

If not for health – how about for beauty? Smoking does a number on your skin AND can possibly make you bald.

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For Health AND Beauty!

Earl Woods was a habitual smoker and had a bypass surgery 20 years ago. In 1998, Woods was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was treated with radiation. Two years ago prostate cancer returned and metastasized. Earl Woods attended his last golf tournament in December 2004, from which Tiger donated $1.25 million to the Tiger Woods Foundation that Earl Woods helped establish.

On Tiger Woods’ website, the golf phenom asked that all donations go to the Earl Woods Scholarship Fund.

Tiger said, “My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply.”

Earl Woods’ had said that his purpose with Tiger was “… not to raise a golfer,” but to raise a good person.

I don’t play golf or have a fascination with it, but I’ve always admired Tiger Woods for what he has accomplished, how he had set new heights for his game, and most importantly, how he overcame stereotypes and helped create opportunities for younger generations.

And for that, I thank Mr. Earl Woods.

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Tiger Woods’ Dad Died Today of Prostate Cancer