The Fourth of July weekend is here and whether you’re planning a barbecue at a park, the beach or in your own backyard, don’t forget the sunblock. Sunblock is a major factor in protecting you from getting skin cancer from sun exposure.  According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, “more than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure and sunscreens are a key weapon in the arsenal against the disease.” 

So, here are some of the answers to what people want to know about sunblock.
 
What makes the sun harmful?
 
There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that the sun emits.  They are UVA and UVB rays.  UVB rays are the rays that cause sunburn.  UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and cause long-term damage, such as wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other effects of aging.
 
What is the UV Index?
 
The UV Index provides a forecast for the risk of overexposure to the sun.  Knowing the UV Index gives you an idea about the dangers of overexposure to the sun when you are working or playing outside.  It is calculated on a daily basis by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.  The measurement is based on the clouds and local conditions that will affect the amount of UV rays to hit the ground. 
 
It ranges from zero to 10+.  Zero implies a low risk of overexposure to the UV rays of the sun and 10+ is a very high risk of overexposure.  For the average person, a UV Index of 3 to 5 is a moderate risk of overexposure to the sun
 
How can we protect ourselves from the harmful effects of sun?
 
o Limit your exposure to direct sun, i.e., spend time in the shade.
o Wear protective clothing if you’ll be in the sun for along periods of time, especially, a wide brim hat.
o Whether you’re in the direct sun or in the shade, use sunblock with a SPF of 15 or higher.

What is SPF?
 
SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor.  It is laboratory measurement of a sunscreen’s ability to filter the UVB rays to prevent sunburn.  The higher the SPF, the more protection it provides against the sun.  In other words, if you burn in eight minutes and you use a sunblock with a SPF of 10, it will take you 80 minutes to burn.  If you use SPF 15, it will take 120 minutes for you to burn. 
 
In reality, the protection provided depends on several factors:  The person’s skin type, the amount applied and the frequency of application, activities that are engaged in while the product is on, and amount of sunscreen that is absorbed into the skin.
 
How should you apply sunblock?
 
Frequently and liberally!  Despite the fact that it adds hours on to the time it takes for a person to burn, it is best to apply it at least every two hours.  Apply it more frequently, if you are swimming or sweating.  It should also be applied liberally — one ounce per use.  Therefore, if you buy an 8 ounce bottle, it should only last for 8 uses.
 
Which is the best number to get?
 
Anything above SPF 15 is best.  SPF 15 will filter out 92 percent of the UVB rays, SPF 30 will filter out 97 percent of the rays and SPF 50 will filter out about 98 percent. 
 
Whatever number you get, remember to apply it frequently and liberally!
 
What is the best kind to get? 
 
It does not have to the most expensive one on the shelf to be the most effective.  You should look for ones that filter the UVA and UVB rays.  Look for ones that are waterproof or sweatproof.  Needless to say, take waterproof and sweatproof with a grain of salt.  If you go swimming for more than a quick dip and you’re sweating more than a droplet on your forehead, it’s not enough to apply it once.  If you go swimming, apply it again when you come out of the water.  If you’re sweating, apply it more frequently.
 
Are there clothes that have SPF?
 
A regular white T-shirt has an SPF of 3.  There are clothes that are made with zinc oxide and can provide an SPF of 30.  Tighter knit clothing also provides some protection.  Always try to wear a wide-brim hat to give more protection too. 
 
Am I protected from the UV rays in the shade?
 
The shade does provide some protection but the UV rays of the sun can reflect off the water, sand, concrete, and snow (not usually a problem in the summer!) and then penetrate the skin.  So sitting in the shade does provide good protection, but you still need to apply sunscreen.
 
And remember, whether you’re walking on the beach or just sitting on the porch reading a book, it’s always a good idea to have a bottle of sunblock close by. It’s a key factor in reducing your risk of developing skin cancer.

If you have questions about protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun or skin cancer – email Dr. Manny at Drmanny@foxnews.com.

Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.

I recently read an article about a cancer patient who chose to use herbal remedies over a surgical procedure that could quite possibly have saved her life. Leslee Flasch was barely 50 years old when doctors told her she would need surgery for her rectal cancer that would leave her wearing a colostomy bag for the rest of her life. She had tried other conventional therapies, but refused surgery and turned to herbal supplements she had researched on the Internet. Her condition worsened and she eventually died.

This story is just the latest in what seems to be a growing trend of alternative treatments breaking into mainstream medicine — and in some cases, replacing it. In fact, a recent report even suggests that 60 percent of cancer patients try herbal remedies — and sometimes, the consequences are deadly.

Leslee Flasch’s story has prompted some questions about colorectal cancer and about the treatment of cancers with alternative therapies, so I sat down to answer some of them here. 

1. What is the difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer?
Colon and rectal cancers are actually very similar — but the difference lies in what part of the large intestine the cancer affects. The colon and rectum make up a long, muscular tube that most people know as the large intestine. The first part of the large intestine is the colon and at the end of it is the rectum.

Cancers in the colon and rectum usually grow slowly and may start as benign polyps. These polyps are found during a colonoscopy, and early removal of polyps may prevent it from becoming cancer. Over 95 percent of colon and rectal cancers start in the cells that line the inside of the large intestine.

Cancer of the colon and/or rectum is the third leading cause of cancer in men and the fourth leading cause of cancer in women worldwide.

 
2. Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
There are several risk factors for developing cancer of the colon and/or rectum including:

• Age — people aged 50 and over should be screened, with frequency depending on medical history;
• Medical history — a personal history of polyps or colorectal cancer increases your risk;
• Family history — a family history of colon cancer also raises your risk of developing the disease;
• Inherited syndromes — certain syndromes such as Familial Adenosis Polyposis (FAP) also increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer;
• Ethnicity — Studies have shown higher incidence of colorectal cancer in African-Americans and Ashkenazi Jews;
• Diet & lifestyle — diets high in red meat and overcooked foods, smoking, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption are all risk factors;
• Overall health — underlying conditions like type 2 diabetes can increase your chances of developing colon and/or rectal cancer.

 
3. What is the treatment and survival rate for rectal cancer?
Surgery is usually the most common treatment for stages I, II and III rectal cancer — although radiation and chemotherapy will often be given before surgery to try and shrink the tumor and kill off cancerous cells in affected tissue.

There are several types of surgery for rectal cancer. Stage IV rectal cancer is treated primarily with chemotherapy and palliative surgery, if necessary. Palliative surgery provides a treatment that will relieve a problem (such as a bowel obstruction) but does not lead to a cure.  In the case of obstruction, a colostomy surgery would be performed.

4. What does it mean to have a permanent colostomy bag?
Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings a portion of the large intestine (colon) through the abdominal wall. Waste (stools) moving through the colon drain into a bag that is attached to the abdomen. It is done when the cancer is removed from the rectum or to bypass an obstruction caused by colon cancer. 
 
Contrary to people’s perception, having a colostomy bag is hygienic and can be very discreet because the bag can be well-hidden under clothing.
 
For some patients suffering from rectal cancer, colostomy surgery may be part of a curative treatment, while for others, it may be relief for an incurable situation. But either way — patients who are candidates for this procedure often see significant improvements in their quality of life.

5. What would Leslee Flasch’s quality of life have been like if she had sought conventional treatment?
There’s still a lot we don’t know about this particular case. But I can say that If her cancer was caught in the in the early stages, the chances of her being cured would have been very good.  Colorectal cancer is almost always treatable if caught early.  She may not have required a colostomy if the cancer was treated in the very early stages when it was still small in size. 

Even in stage II and III, she could have been treated with surgery and chemotherapy and had an excellent prognosis. If she had agreed to a colostomy, she would have been able to return to her normal activities and lifestyle — and nobody would even be aware of the bag. 

In general, when treated at an early stage, most colorectal cancer patients survive at least 5 years. If the disease does not come back during this time, they are considered cured. Stages I, II, III are considered potentially curable.  Once the cancer spreads to other areas of the body (stage IV), the 5-year survival rate drops, and most cases are not curable.

6. What do you think about this trend of patients trying to treat themselves with herbal remedies?
I think that including alternative treatments with conventional medicine can be very beneficial to patients as long as it’s under the guidance of a medical doctor who supports this course of treatment and monitors a patient’s progress and overall health. I certainly don’t think that alternative treatments should replace conventional therapy and patients need to be careful because there are a lot of scams out there that may or may not be harmful, and can take a financial toll.

7. What are some of the reasons a person might seek alternative treatment?
One of the most effective uses of alternative medicine in cancer patients is to alleviate pain associated medical treatment. For example, acupuncture has been proven to help with pain and other negative side effects like nausea brought on by chemotherapy or surgery. Certain types of relaxation therapy can relieve anxiety associated with a course of conventional treatment. And there are some natural herbs that aid in calming nausea or vomiting — which are often side effects of chemotherapy.

So for patients who want to use alternative medicine to alleviate negative side effects of medical treatment or to enhance the healing effects of conventional therapy — physician-monitored alternative treatments can help. But again, there is no evidence to support alternative therapies being used in place of conventional medicine — whereas we have a wealth of evidence supporting the effects of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery in the treatment of cancer.

8. What advice do you have for people thinking of skipping out on medical treatment and trying alternative therapies for cancer?
Often when people are initially diagnosed with cancer, they often don’t feel sick (especially if the cancer is caught early) so a lot of times, the thought of going through medical treatment seems beyond the realm of comprehension.

There are no regulations for alternative treatments, and in most cases, no proof they work. If doctors give a medication and patients have severe negative side effects — that medication is studied and pulled from the market. But with a lot of these herbal remedies, there is no proof that these treatments work. Each patient is different and each situation is different. So what a patient really needs to consider when they talk to their doctor about their diagnosis, is how much they really want to risk.

It comes down to what your current treatment options are, and their effect on your quality — and ultimately quantity — of life.

Leslee Flasch is a perfect example of someone whose quality and quantity of life could have been extended by conventional therapy.

Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.

The topic of anal cancer has gotten a lot of media attention lately because of Farrah Fawcett’s very public battle with the disease. And it’s raised a lot of important questions about advances in cancer treatment and the future for patients fighting the battle of their lives.

What is anal cancer and who is at risk for it?

Anal cancer is characterized by the growth of a tumor around the anus ― which is opening at the end of the intestinal tract — and it’s completely different from colon cancer. A large proportion of anal cancers have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease, but this isn’t the only cause.

Other patient populations at a greater risk for developing anal cancer include patients with multiple sexual partners, those who participate in anal intercourse, smokers, people with immunosuppressive diseases, such as HIV, and people with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

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What is the treatment for anal or intestinal cancer?

If it’s caught early, the most common treatment for anal cancer is surgery. But in patients whose cancer affects the anal sphincter, having surgery to remove the tumor and cancerous cells can lead to fecal incontinence causing the need for a permanent colostomy. So often for these patients, radiation and chemotherapy may be the preferred course of treatment. For later stage anal cancers, doctors treat patients with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.

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What is the cure rate for anal cancer?

Well ― like any cancer, early detection greatly increases the chance of survival. If it’s caught in the early stage, there is an 86 percent five year survival rate. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the survival rate decreases to 54 percent. Up to 10 percent of patients treated for anal cancer will develop cancer elsewhere in the body.

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What kind of advances are we making in cancer research?

We have made advances with regard to the surgical treatment of cancers by offering minimally invasive surgeries. In some cases, we’re able to provide surgical treatments with less negative side effects and shorter recovery time. Clinical studies have shown that other treatments like radiation and chemotherapy may be just as effective as surgery without many of the negative side effects.

With regard to medical treatments, there have certainly been advances in the kinds of treatments we’re using. New medical technologies are making it possible for doctors to individualize a patient’s treatment by studying the genetic makeup of their particular cancer — ultimately decreasing the chances of recurrence or spread of the cancer, and increasing a patient’s survival outcome.

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What are the major milestones/accomplishments we’ve seen in cancer research recently?

Well again, one of the major milestones is being able to identify the genetic makeup of cancers individual to each patient.

The other advancement is the research that’s been done in molecular-targeted therapies. These therapies target the development of cancers by inhibiting the growth of the disease at the cellular level — which we hope will be able to limit or potentially even stop the cancer from spreading.

Molecular-targeted therapy is a more specific treatment than chemotherapy, because chemo treatment kills off not only the bad cells — but also the healthy cells in the body. So with a therapy that is very specific in its attack of cancerous cells, the hope is that it should more be effective in stopping the development of the cancer.

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What are some tips for preventing cancer?

We’ve all heard it time and time again — good health comes from making healthy choices. So my first tip would be stop smoking! I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, cigarettes are full of cancer-causing agents and have been linked to the development of many cancers in the body.

Second, everything in moderation including alcohol! If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a nice cocktail, make sure you do it in moderation, which means 1 or 2 glasses — preferrably of red wine — or else,  just avoid alcohol all together.

Make healthy dietary choices. Try to maintain a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fruits and vegetables. Both provide essential nutrients and antioxidants which help ward off disease. Limit the amount of read meat you consume, since high levels of it have been linked to certain cancers.

Recent studies have shown that vitamin D may play an important role protecting against the development of certain diseases. Because exposure to small amounts of sunlight causes the body to produce healthy amounts of vitamin D, people who live in cold environments or places with extended seasons of darkness may want to consider getting their vitamin D levels checked and taking supplements.

And finally — know your family history so you can better determine your risk for other cancers, because your screenings for certain cancers may start earlier than what is recommended to the general population, and preventive therapies may be an option for you.

Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.

Cases of swine flu, or H1N1, are climbing and spreading to more states.  At least 141 people in the U.S. have been infected, and one Mexican boy visiting Texas has died.  Many more cases will be diagnosed—likely many thousands—before the spread of the illness ebbs.  Public health officials and journalists warn of a pandemic, an epidemic of infectious disease that sweeps across a large geographic area, such as a continent, or around the whole world.
 
The toll of this new flu may turn out to be disastrous, but there’s no current evidence that a calamity is brewing.  Thus far, every American who has contracted the illness has survived.  Even if there turns out to be 250,000 cases this year, the number will still be dwarfed by the toll of diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, depression and alcoholism on our population.
 
What the 141 cases of H1N1 flu have already proven, however, is how vulnerable we are to panic.  Americans are on edge, uncertain about the economy and uncertain about the direction our President is leading us.  Ultimately, for all but those with the steadiest of nerves and most solid sense of self, we are a nation collectively experiencing a sense of impending doom—one of the hallmarks of panic disorder.  H1N1 may or may not cause serious physical suffering for our population, but its emergence will cause serious psychological suffering for a nation already traumatized by deep doubts about whether the solutions to our collective problems reside in bailouts, embracing dictators and apologizing for our national shortcomings.
 
 Some might say that connecting our reaction to H1N1 flu to the economic crisis and cultural crisis at hand is too great a leap, that we are as steady on our feet emotionally as a population as ever.  I don’t think so.  I’ve been at my work 16 years, seeing adults and adolescents facing every imaginable twist and turn of fate.  Never before I have seen as many individuals who feel disempowered, unable to mount any resistance (words intentionally chosen) to the stressors impacting them.
 
Our psychological resistance to trauma of any kind is down right now.  That’s one reason that Air Force One flying low near Ground Zero was such a grand faux pax:  It re-traumatized thousands of people who don’t have emotional bandwidth to spare.  It’s even possible that our psychological stress could reduce our resistance to physical illnesses, including H1N1.
 
 It’s time for a real public health initiative, rolled out through private health care providers and, perhaps, community health educators, that targets two certain epidemics already sweeping the nation:  anxiety and depression.  They may not be spread by coughing and sneezing, but they have the capacity to paralyze us emotionally and cost our nation dearly.

Dr. Keith Ablow is a psychiatry correspondent for FOX News Channel and a New York Times bestselling author. His newest book, “Living the Truth: Transform Your Life through the Power of Insight and Honesty” has launched a new self-help movement. Check out Dr. Ablow’s website at livingthetruth.com.

In these uncertain economic times, it is not unusual for many patients to postpone their regular preventive care. Often viewed as unimportant if there are no obvious problems and “nothing hurts,” the routine dental checkup and cleaning are put on hold in the interest of saving some money.

Unfortunately, nothing can be further from the truth. To begin with, the checkup examination can often help you avoid or detect a dental problem early before it becomes painful both physically and financially. Regular dental care helps ensure healthy teeth and gums, which in turn strengthen a healthy oral immune system.

Good oral health is essential to maintaining total body health as research continues to emerge showing a strong correlation between dental disease and many systemic problems ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to pancreatic cancer. If you are a pregnant woman, you have a seven times higher chance of having a pre-term baby. You also have up to a ten times greater chance of heart attack or stroke, and a seven times higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Basically, gum disease is a major source of chronic low-grade inflammation which can have ravaging effects on many body organ systems.

Several recent studies, including one completed with 145,000 patients at Columbia University’s dental school, went even one step further. They found that maintaining or restoring good oral health actually reduced total health care costs up to 21 percent for the management of patients with various systemic diseases. A study performed in Japan concluded virtually the same. The actual potential health care cost savings could easily be in the trillions of dollars if this is considered on a large population scale.

So if you’ve considered putting off your last checkup, think again. There’s a lot to be said about being “penny wise and dollar foolish.”  Now is the time to be more preventive and proactive about your health as a healthy smile is also healthy for your wallet.

Dr. Gerald P. Curatola is a renowned aesthetic dentist and pioneer in the emerging field of rejuvenation dentistry, which improves patients’ overall health and appearance by integrating total wellness with cutting edge oral care and restorative procedures. In addition to his private practice, research, and work as a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU College of Dentistry, he is an internationally sought after speaker, author and expert who has been featured widely in print and broadcast media. For more information, go to DrGerry.net

A 3-year-old girl from England has a rare condition that confines her to darkness most days, according to an online report from the News & Star.

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