Posts by Robert S. Bader, M.D., Dermatologist
CHOCOLATE MAY MAKE ACNE WORSE
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology evaluated 10 male patients ages 18 to 35. This study showed that the more cocoa ingested, the more the participants’ acne flared.
Read MoreLOW-CALORIE DIET MAY LEAD TO IMPROVEMENT OF PSORIASIS
In a study published online in JAMA Dermatology, psoriasis patients who were put on a low-calorie diet had improvement of their quality of life and their psoriasis severity. These findings, although encouraging, were not statistically significant. For those suffering from psoriasis who can afford to lose a few lbs., here is another reason to get…
Read MoreTHE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT–WILL HEALTHCARE REALLY BE MORE AFFORDABLE?
As “Obamacare” gets going, it is unclear whether insurance premiums are going to go up or down. For example, New Hampshire’s healthcare exchange will launch in October with Anthem BlueCross BlueShield as the only insurer competing on the exchange. Is that an exchange at all? California and Colorado will have more than ten insurers offering plans. Most…
Read MoreTWO NEW TREATMENTS FOR ADVANCED MELANOMA APPROVED BY FDA
On Wednesday the US Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved two new oral medications for the treatment of metastatic or advanced melanoma that is non-operable–Tafinlar and Mekinist–both of which are marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. Both drugs are to be used as a mono-therapy–not combined with other treatments. Still the best treatment for melanoma…
Read MoreNON-MELANOMA SKIN CANCER PATIENTS ARE AT HIGHER RISK FOR OTHER CANCERS
Time reports in “Healthland” that those whom have had non-melanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are at increased risk of developing breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.
Read MoreIS SKIN CANCER SURGERY BEST FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS? MAYBE NOT.
I have always stated, that when considering treatment of skin cancer, especially non-melanoma skin cancer (i.e. basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), one must take into account the overall health of the patient. Sometimes, observation or minimal treatment is best. A recent study published online in JAMA has shown that elderly patients with non-melanoma…
Read MoreMELANOMA IN CHILDREN IS ON THE RISE
While rare, a recent study published in Pediatrics has shown an increase in the incidence of malignant melanoma in children. In the United States, 400 to 500 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year, but as with the adult population, these numbers have been slowly increasing over the past several decades.
Read MoreFISH OILS MAY HELP PROTECT AGAINST SKIN CANCER
In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, taking omega-3 oils helped patients ward off the harmful effects of sunshine. This study suggests that taking omega-3 fish oils may have a protective effect against the development of skin cancer, although further studies are needed.
Read MoreELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS ALLOW PATIENTS TO SEE THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS ONLINE
Most current electronic medical record systems now allow patients to access parts of their medical records online. Patient’s can now view laboratory results, pathology reports, visit notes, and more by logging into an “online patient portal”. This is in response to new Federal guidelines requiring such patient access for providers wishing to participate in the Federal EHR…
Read MoreTANNING BEDS MAY BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN YOU THINK
A British study has shown that the risk of skin cancer from tanning beds is more than double that of spending the same time in midday Mediterranean sun. The study found that the average strength of the tanning beds was approaching more than twice the recommended limit of ultraviolet radiation.
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