Healthy Lifestyle is Preventative Care

        Many diseases are preventable with a healthy lifestyle. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer are all affected by lifestyle choices.  Appropriate screening tests can help identify risks for heart disease and cancer. Patients who optimize their nutrition and physical activity, and engage in stress management, can have healthier, more satisfying lives.

A good Mantra to follow:
    
                              Eat
                                   only
                                       good
                                           food
                                            slowly
                                           and
                                       exercise
                                    every
                               day.

         The Progression of Solar Damage and Skin Cancer

One of the biggest preventative challenges in Hawaii is skin cancer.  Solar radiation has doubled in 15 years and Hawaii has some of the highest rates in the growing skin cancer epidemic.  Everyone here needs to seek shade, wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and use appropriate sun blocks daily to avoid serious solar damage.  Some over-the-counter sunscreen chemicals may not be safe or effective.  EltaMD is a reef-safe sunscreen that is chemical free and available at Mina's Massage Therapy facility. The photos below show the progress from solar damage to sun induced skin cancer.

Severe sunburn is a risk factor for the development of malignant melanoma.

Solar radiation causes premature aging with hyperpigmentation and wrinkle formation.

Eventually, unprotected sun exposure will cause skin cancer in many people. The three most common skin cancers are (counterclockwise from top) basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.

This painful Squamous Cell Carcinoma will require disfiguring surgery.

Basal Cell Carcinomas are common superficial cancers that occur in sundamaged skin and can cause deeply disfiguring erosions of the surrounding skin tissue.  They also usually require surgical excision. 

Malignant Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer as it can spread to distant parts of the body and then has an unfavorable prognosis.