Latest news with #SkinCancer
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
New case study reveals common virus could cause skin cancer
Skin cancer is typically caused by damage to the skin's cells from ultraviolet radiation. But a recent case study has just shed light on another potential cause: human papillomavirus. The report, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on the case of a 34-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with over 40 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). This is the second most common type of skin cancer. The woman also had many wart-like growths in her mouth and on her skin. These were attributed to a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Human papillomavirus is a common group of viruses that can infect the skin and other parts of the body. While HPV often does not cause any problems or symptoms in most people, in some cases it can cause warts and is even linked to certain types of cancer – such as cervical cancer. The woman in the latest report was referred by her doctor to the team of researchers who conducted the case study. She had already undergone multiple surgeries and rounds of immunotherapy to remove a large squamous cell carcinoma that repeatedly grew back on her forehead. The patient's doctor believed this might be due to a condition that made it more difficult for her immune cells to fight off the tumours. The researchers performed a genetic analysis on this recurrent tumour to understand why it continued to grow back. Under normal circumstances, SCC tumours have a genetic signature that shows their mutations were caused by ultraviolet radiation. These mutations usually drive their growth. However, this patient's cancer didn't have these signature mutations. Instead, the researchers found that the HPV infection living on her skin had integrated itself into the DNA of the tumour on her forehead. It seemed that it was the virus that was actually driving the cancerous growth. There are more than 200 different types of HPV, only a few of which have been associated with cancers. HPV19, which infects skin, had not previously been linked to cancer. But in this case, it had gone rogue and caused the carcinoma. Unique case This recent case study is unique, it should be said. There were many factors that made it possible for the HPV infection to drive the recurrent growth of skin cancer. The patient had a long history of health problems beginning in early childhood. This had brought her to the attention of researchers who were studying people who had problems with their immune system. A 2017 case report on her revealed that she had inherited mutations in two genes that play a role in immune function. One of the mutated genes was ZAP70, which is involved in the normal function of a type of immune cell called a T-cell. This cell plays an essential role in helping the body successfully fight infections. Inherited changes in ZAP70 that prevent it from working were previously known to cause a condition called severe combined immunodeficiency. This condition is usually diagnosed in infancy and, if not treated with a stem cell transplant, leads to death within the first couple of years of life. Being in her late 20s at that time, the woman became the oldest patient ever to be diagnosed with a ZAP70 immune condition. The second mutated gene, RNF168, is involved in repairing damage to DNA. The new team decided to investigate whether it was the unique combination of mutations in both genes that was allowing the HPV infection to cause cancer. However, they concluded that the mutated RNF168 gene was a red herring. The research team found that the patient's RNF168 mutation was relatively common in the wider American population and wasn't linked to any health issues. Further investigation of her cells also revealed that her DNA repair processes were functioning normally. They then moved on to the ZAP70 gene. Here, they found that although the patient's ZAP70 gene was mutated, it still partly worked. This explained why she hadn't succumbed to severe combined immunodeficiency in childhood. However, the mutation still made her immune system less effective. So because her T-cell response wasn't fully functional, her body was unable to recognise and eliminate HPV-infected cells. After receiving a stem cell transplant that replaced her immune cells with fully functioning ones from a donor, the woman made a complete recovery. The new T-cells were able to recognise and destroy the HPV-infected cells, including the skin cancer. Hopefully, she will now remain cancer-free for years to come. Immune health and cancer This story highlights how important our immune system is in protecting us against cancer. Without it, even innocuous viruses that usually harmlessly co-exist on our skin can drive the formation of aggressive cancers. It also demonstrates how modern genomic technology is transforming our understanding of disease. Without genetic sequencing, doctors would still be none the wiser about why this unfortunate woman had so many aggressive skin tumours. But this study also raises questions about whether HPV-driven skin cancer could be a wider, previously unrecognised problem. The authors suggest that in the future, patients with aggressive and recurrent squamous cell carcinomas should be profiled for T-cell function and the presence of HPV infections. Like the woman in this story, they too might benefit from immune-boosting therapies to treat their cancers.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Danger of nasal tanning sprays that can cause skin cancer
Experts have warned about Nasal tanning sprays that have been linked to deadly skin cancer. The unregulated sprays - which claim to accelerate tanning - may also trigger nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). The CTSI is now urging the public to avoid any tanning product that is 'inhaled or ingested'. The sprays claim to work by delivering a substance known as Melanotan 2, a chemical that darkens skin pigmentation and which is banned in the UK. While this creates a tan it 'may also encourage abnormal skin cell changes in response to UV exposure', according to the Melanoma Fund. It's these changes that can potentially lead to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. However, as the sprays are marketed as a cosmetic product rather than a medicine, they are not as tightly regulated and have surged in popularity. According to the British Beauty Council, the self-tan market is set to hit $990million by 2027. The CTSI also raised the alarm on the growing trend of people using flavored nasal tanning sprays, drops and gummies. They warned that 'unscrupulous' sellers on Facebook and TikTok were posting pictures of the products available in child-friendly flavors such as peach, bubblegum, grape, strawberry and lime. The regulator said it feared they could become the latest 'must have' products among young people 'leading to a youth epidemic as we saw with disposable vapes'. Susanna Daniels, chief executive of the skin-cancer charity Melanoma Focus, said: 'We're becoming increasingly concerned about the use of both nasal tanning sprays and tanning injections and their potential links with melanoma skin cancer. 'These unregulated and illegal products not only pose serious health risks but also encourage harmful behaviors, particularly among young consumers. 'We urge the public to consider the long-term impacts on their health and avoid using these substances altogether.' Gary Lipman, chairman at the Sunbed Association, added: 'Nasal sprays have absolutely no place in a professional tanning salon. 'We fully support CTSI's campaign to heighten awareness of the dangers of using them.' Some British patients have already been harmed by the products. Jen Atkin, a former Miss Great Britain winner from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, said she has been permanently scarred after using a nasal tanning spray she bought on Instagram. 'Unfortunately, I decided to go to extra lengths and fell into the trend of nasal tan,' she said. Atkin used the product twice and a dark brown mark appeared 'out of absolutely nowhere' on her forehead. She added: 'It scared the life out of me. It made me feel so nauseous and weird.' Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, cells found in the upper layer of skin that produce melanin, which gives skin its color. While less common than other types of skin cancer, it is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage. Around 17,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year, according to the latest figures published on the Cancer Research UK website. Almost nine in ten people diagnosed with melanoma survive ten years or more. There is an annual average of 2,300 deaths from the skin cancer, according to the charity, with it accounting for around 1 per cent of cancer deaths.
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Dr. Ellen Marmur Joins MedSpa Partners
- MSP Begins the Year with the Addition of One of the Industry's Most Respected Practices - TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - MedSpa Partners Inc. (" MSP") is proud to welcome Dr. Ellen Marmur and her team at Marmur Medical to its top-tier North American medical aesthetics platform. With two locations in Manhattan's Upper East Side, Marmur Medical has been providing world-class cosmetic and medical dermatology care to patients for nearly fifteen years. Dr. Marmur is consistently recognized by leading publications and professional organizations as one of the top dermatologists in the United States. While her path—from leading wilderness survival canoe trips with a joint degree in Philosophy and Japanese to becoming one of the most renowned clinical and aesthetic dermatologists in America—may have been exceptional, it's emblematic of the breadth of drive, inspiration and expertise she brings to her pioneering approach. Her signature treatment philosophy, Preservation Aging®, focuses on supporting the body's natural healing systems to maintain healthy skin and overall wellbeing. In addition to leading her thriving practice, Dr. Marmur is a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the founder of MMSkincare, an LED-activated, science-based skincare line and medical device company. She also established the non-profit Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!, which funds education and early detection programs for skin cancer—merging her passions for skin health and outdoor adventure. Speaking on her reasons for joining MedSpa Partners, Dr. Marmur shared, "As a lifelong learner, I'm energized by people and organizations who push boundaries while staying grounded in what truly matters: the patient. MSP stood out because they treat their partners like people, not just another number. This isn't consolidation—it's collaboration. It's rare to find a growth partner that shares both your ambition and your integrity—MSP is that partner." MSP CEO Dominic Mazzone commented, "We're honored to welcome Dr. Ellen Marmur and her incredible team at Marmur Medical to the MSP family. Ellen's reputation speaks for itself—she's a trailblazer in dermatology and a passionate educator, and it's been a pleasure to connect with her as kindred spirits as entrepreneurs. The care that Ellen and her team provide fits perfectly into MSP's goal of providing Michelin Star patient experiences. This partnership not only strengthens our presence in the Northeast, it also deepens our bench of industry leaders who share our values. Dr. Marmur's addition sets the tone for what promises to be another landmark year of growth, leadership, and partnership at MSP." About MedSpa Partners Inc. MedSpa Partners is acquiring North America's leading Medical Aesthetics clinics, with the goal of allowing our industry-leading partners to achieve their personal and professional aspirations by creating world-class customer experiences through support, collaboration, and community. MSP is a portfolio company of Persistence Capital Partners, the leading private equity fund exclusively focused on high-growth opportunities in the healthcare field. Additional information on MSP is available at or contact:
CBS News
11-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention offers tips on protecting skin ahead of "Don't Fry Day"
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a nonprofit organization is offering tips on protecting your skin from the sun. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The good news is that about 90% of skin cancers are preventable. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designates the Friday before Memorial Day as "Don't Fry Day" to encourage sun safety at the start of summer. Renata Block, a Chicago-based and board-certified physician assistant specializing in dermatology, is part of the Don't Fry Day committee. She details what makes someone more susceptible to skin cancer. "Typically, if you have fair skin, you're going to have an increased risk," Block said. "If you have a family history, you're going to have an increased risk in regards to that genetic component. However, I have to say that everybody is at risk of developing a skin cancer. It does not discriminate in age, race, or gender. So, bottom line is you have to make sure that you protect yourself, but I also want to add, if you have a low immune system. Obviously, you're going to be at a greater risk as well." She says there is no water-resistant sunscreen, so it's important to reapply every one to two hours, no matter which sunscreen you choose. Additional tips to protect skin from the sun include never intentionally tan, apply sunscreen daily, wear sun protective clothing, and if possible, seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Don't Fry Day is May 23. More information can be found on the organization's Instagram and Facebook accounts.
