By: Terry Graedon December 11, 2024 0 Comments
    Will Your Microbiome Save Your Life?

    In recent years researchers have become extremely interested in the collection of microorganisms living in and on our bodies. This microbiome has a profound impact on our overall health. Few people wo…

    By: Terry Graedon August 22, 2024 8 Comments
    Show 1397: The Surprising Secrets of Sunlight…

    This week, our guest is a dermatologist who wants us to consider sunlight’s health benefits. That is a minority opinion among dermatologists. Dr. Richard Weller tells us why vitamin D is overrated a…

    By: Joe Graedon June 16, 2024 70 Comments
    Hydrochlorothiazide Side Effects: Skin Cancer an…

    The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have issued guidelines about hypertension. The experts state that "normal" blood pressure is "Less than 120/80." You have "elevate…

    By: Terry Graedon January 12, 2023 4 Comments
    What Is the Link Between Sun Exposure and Melano…

    Scientists have recognized a link between sun exposure and melanoma for at least a century (Cancer Epidemiology, June 2017). On the other hand, the relationship is not quite straightforward. Back in t…

    By: Joe Graedon October 24, 2022 14 Comments
    Angry Doctor Insists HCTZ Is Safe!

    Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is one of the most prescribed drugs in the US. It is a diuretic that helps lower blood pressure. At last count, over 10 million people swallow this pill daily. But HCTZ is a…

    By: Joe Graedon August 16, 2021 23 Comments
    Does Sunscreen Prevent Skin Cancer? Dermatologis…

    Let’s get one thing straight from the get-go. We are strongly in favor of safe and effective sunscreens. As kids we experienced too many sunburns. That’s because back then there weren’t any prod…

    By: Joe Graedon May 17, 2021 12 Comments
    How Can You Choose A Safe Sunscreen?

    When you slather sunscreen on your skin, you expect it to protect you from damaging ultraviolet light while you are outside working or having fun. Most people assume that it should be easy to select a…

    By: Terry Graedon August 17, 2020 3 Comments
    What Are the Risks of Sunscreen and Bug Repellen…

    If you spend time outside in the summertime, you'll probably reach for the insect repellent. After all, you don't want to feed bloodsuckers like ticks or mosquitoes. In addition, sunscreen can keep yo…

    By: Terry Graedon February 10, 2020 7 Comments
    Can You Find Non-Irritating Sunscreen?

    Some things should be kept out of the eyes. If you get shampoo in your eyes while you are showering, you'll regret it. Even a hint of chile pepper essence is even worse. But many people find that suns…

    By: Joe Graedon January 23, 2020 16 Comments
    JAMA Study Proves Sunscreens ARE Absorbed into B…

    It’s a little early to talk about sunscreens, but a new study published in JAMA (Jan. 21, 2020)  has confirmed that ingredients in sunscreens are absorbed into the body. Last May, FDA researche…

    By: Terry Graedon August 12, 2019 6 Comments
    Will Castor Oil Help Clear Up Your Actinic Kerat…

    Have you had a dermatologist examine the lumps and bumps on your skin? It is a good idea to have these checked periodically, especially if they have changed in any way. The doctor might diagnose some …

    By: Joe Graedon May 20, 2019 26 Comments
    Can You Avoid Skin Damage Without Sunscreen?

    It comes as a great shock to learn that sunscreen gets under your skin.  Most people assume that what you put on your skin stays on your skin. Wrong! FDA researchers wrote in JAMA (May 6, 2019) t…

    By: Terry Graedon December 25, 2017 11 Comments
    Can a Vitamin Really Help Prevent Skin Cancer?

    Skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy in the US. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma by the age of 65. (Mel…

    By: Terry Graedon December 18, 2017 9 Comments
    Popular Blood Pressure Pill Linked to Skin Cance…

    When bad news surfaces, some people have a hard time accepting it. When researchers uncovered a link between a popular blood pressure pill and non-melanoma skin cancer, we got this message from a skep…

    By: Terry Graedon October 19, 2017 4 Comments
    Are You Addicted to Indoor Tanning?

    Can indoor tanning be addicting? Most people think of tanning beds as a cosmetic indulgence. But new research suggests that some young women with depression find indoor tanning especially appealing (M…

    By: Terry Graedon September 4, 2017 7 Comments
    How to Spot Melanoma Before It Causes Trouble

    Most people have heard that melanoma is a very dangerous type of skin cancer. For years they have been advised to look for any moles that have changed color, shape or size. But it turns out that a lot…

    By: Terry Graedon August 18, 2016 3 Comments
    Do Sunscreens Really Prevent Skin Cancer?

    The evidence that sunscreens prevent skin cancer may not be as strong as people would like to believe. That is the conclusion from a recent Cochrane review. What Did the Cochrane Review Find? The Coc…

    By: Joe Graedon November 26, 2015 31 Comments
    Skin Drug Price Hikes Are Just the Tip of the Ic…

    The price of prescription creams, gels and ointments has been soaring. A study published in JAMA Dermatology looked at the retail costs of dermatologic drugs in 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2015. What they fo…

    By: Joe Graedon July 2, 2015 13 Comments
    Does Castor Oil Clear Actinic Keratosis?

    Q. I thought you should know that years ago my husband's dermatologist told him to use castor oil on pre-cancerous spots on his face. They all just sort of fell off and he never had to have any remove…

    By: Joe Graedon May 14, 2015 11 Comments
    Inexpensive B Vitamin Protects Against Common Sk…

    Ask people about common cancers and most people name the big killers--cancer of the lung, colon and rectum, breast, prostate, pancreas, liver or blood. In truth, skin cancers are more common than any …

    By: Terry Graedon September 12, 2013 1 Comments
    Broccoli Compound in Cream Protects Skin from Ul…

    It is hardly news to hear that vegetables can help protect against cancer. But researchers at the University of Arizona have come up with an interesting new twist on this advice. Instead of warning pe…

    By: Terry Graedon May 9, 2013 9 Comments
    Sun’s Benefits Outweigh Risks

    Exposure to sunlight may help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Dermatologists have been warning us for years that sun exposure is dangerous because it increases the risk of…

    By: Terry Graedon March 14, 2013 3 Comments
    Will Aspirin Prevent Melanoma?

    Aspirin is not just for headaches any more. A new study suggests that women who take aspirin regularly are less likely to develop melanoma, a potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer. The stud…

    By: Terry Graedon May 31, 2012 1 Comments
    Pain Relievers Lower Skin Cancer Risk

    Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the risk of skin cancer. Danish researchers compared the painkiller history of more than 18,000 people with skin cancer to that of nearly 180,000 peopl…

    By: Terry Graedon March 8, 2012 2 Comments
    Vitamin A May Offer Protection from Melanoma

    Vitamin A supplements have gotten some bad press of late. Research has not demonstrated a benefit and there is even some concern that vitamin A supplementation may lead to weakened bones. New research…

    By: Terry Graedon October 27, 2011 8 Comments
    Coffee Reduces Risk of Certain Skin Cancers

    Coffee continues to get high marks for health benefits. Drinking coffee was once considered a vice, but researchers have reported that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing depression, type …

    By: Terry Graedon September 22, 2011 2 Comments
    Beta Blockers Against Melanoma?

    Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol have been used for decades to help control heart rhythm abnormalities and high blood pressure. A new study suggests that these inexpensive ge…

    By: Terry Graedon August 31, 2011 1 Comments
    New Melanoma Drug Approved

    A second drug for melanoma has just been approved by the FDA. The agency acted at least two months before it was expected to do so, and also approved a diagnostic test that allows doctors to tell if t…

    By: Terry Graedon July 21, 2011 1 Comments
    Sunscreen Can Cut Risk of Melanoma

    Dermatologists have been advocating for more consistent and conscientious sunscreen use for decades. They knew that this practice would reduce the risk of premature aging and some types of skin cancer…

    By: Terry Graedon June 9, 2011 0 Comments
    New Drugs Fight Melanoma

    Melanoma patients have reason for optimism. Studies of two new drugs were reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology. In one study, people with an advanced form of this skin cancer were 63 …

    By: Joe Graedon June 25, 2009 0 Comments
    How Does Caffeine Protect Against Skin Cancer?

    Drinking coffee or tea may reduce the likelihood of developing non-melanoma skin cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that coffee and tea drinkers have a lower incidence of basal and squamous ce…

    By: Terry Graedon August 11, 2008 2 Comments
    Sunscreen Shortcomings Stir Controversy

    Sunscreens have changed the way Americans play. There was a time when tennis players, golfers, swimmers and just about anyone else who needed to be outside was at the mercy of the sun’s rays.Peo…

    By: Joe Graedon July 18, 2005 0 Comments
    Skin Doctors Turn Thumbs Down On Sun

    Dermatologists hate the sun. There's a good reason for their loathing. They see the effects of excessive sun exposure-not just wrinkles, age spots and leathery skin, but also a variety of skin cancers…