 |
||
 |
      |
 |
 |
||
| >> Media Section Below are press releases from March and April 2008. For any media queries, please contact Nina Goad, 0207 391 6355, nina@bad.org.uk To return to the main press release page, click here.
Tomatoes could be the new weapon in the fight against sun damage, 28.04.08 Tomatoes found to fight sun damage For immediate release 28.04.08 Tomatoes could be the new weapon in the fight against sun damage, research at the Universities of Manchester and Newcastle has revealed. According to a study presented by Dr Muneeza Rizwan at the British Society for Investigative Dermatology in Oxford earlier this month, eating tomato paste could help protect against sunburn and sun induced skin ageing. At the University of Manchester, researchers compared the skin of 20 people, half of whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with 10g of olive oil every day, with the other half receiving just olive oil, over a period of 12 weeks. By exposing the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as is produced by the sun, at the beginning and end of the trial, the team found significant improvements in the skin’s ability to protect itself against UV in the group who had been eating tomato paste. Many of the harmful effects of UV light are due to the excess production of harmful molecules known as ‘reactive oxygen species’ which can damage important skin structures. Sun damage from UV exposure includes premature wrinkles and skin cancer. The tomato’s key skin saving property is a powerful antioxidant called ‘lycopene’, which is able to neutralise or ‘quench’ the harmful molecules. Lycopene is the bright red pigment found in a number of red fruit and vegetable, but with its highest levels in cooked tomatoes. As tomato paste contains a high concentration of cooked tomatoes, it is an ideal source of lycopene. Compared to the control group, the group who had eaten the paste were found to have 33 per cent more protection against sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer. The researchers calculated the protection offered by the tomato paste to be equivalent to a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 1.3. By looking at the effects on skin ageing by studying skin samples taken from both groups, before and after trial, the Manchester team discovered that the tomato diet had boosted the skin’s levels of procollagen, a molecule which gives the skin its structure and loss of which leads to skin ageing and lack of elasticity. Meanwhile, colleagues at Newcastle University found that the lycopene had reduced damage to mitochondrial DNA in the skin, which is also believed to be linked with skin ageing. Professor Lesley Rhodes, dermatologist at the University of Manchester, said: “The tomato diet boosted the level of procollagen in the skin significantly. These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of the skin ageing process. This is in addition to the significant reduction in sunburn. Professor Mark Birch-Machin, dermatology scientist from Newcastle University, said: “Eating tomatoes will not make you invincible in the sun, but it may be a useful addition to the sun protection tool box along with sunscreens, shade and clothing. Dr Colin Holden of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “While the protection offered by lycopene is low, this research suggests that a diet containing high levels of antioxidant rich tomatoes could provide an extra tool in sun protection.” The team are now looking to start a new, longer-term study into the protective effects of lycopene on the skin. -Ends- The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease. Brits unaware of skin cancer risk, new survey reveals For immediate release 04.04.08 HALF of Britons would not recognise the signs of a possible skin cancer, and a quarter never checks their skin for the disease, a shocking snapshot survey by the British Association of Dermatologists has revealed. The survey, to launch this year’s Sun Awareness campaign, revealed that a quarter of respondents never examine their body for changes to their moles. Even more startling, one in six people are not aware that a mole can be checked for free by a GP, instead believing this service has to be paid for. 85 percent of respondents still don’t realise that skin cancers make up a third of all UK cancers, with the majority thinking that less than one in 10 cancers affect the skin. And despite skin cancer rates increasing faster than any other cancer, with figures doubling every 10 to 20 years, a staggering one in eight people do not know that skin cancer is on the rise at all. However, it is not just sun exposure that causes cancer, and an alarming one in six believe that sunbeds could be a useful way of producing Vitamin D for the body. The British Association of Dermatologists states that perceived health gains from sunbed use, such as vitamin D production, can easily be achieved by other means including diet and supplements. It is therefore not felt that sunbeds carry useful health benefits, but instead increase a person’s risk of skin cancer. President of the British Association of Dermatologists Dr Colin Holden said: “While it is disheartening that there is little understanding about quite how common skin cancer is, what I find of particular concern is that so many people are unaware of certain signs of skin cancer, and furthermore do not know that they can have a suspicious mole checked free of charge. This could pose a huge obstacle to the early detection of skin cancer in these individuals.”
When asked about how to best prevent premature skin ageing, a quarter favoured applying a daily moisturiser, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water or using facial massage and facial exercises over sun protection. And interestingly, it seems we are a nation still willing to risk our health for our appearance, with over half (56 percent) of respondents finding people with a tan more attractive, and 91 percent thinking that fashion influences people’s sunbathing habits. Maria Tabou, Sun Awareness campaign officer at the British Association of Dermatologists said: “The vast majority of premature ageing is caused by excess sun exposure. Smoking also ages the skin, but the methods of prevention chosen by a quarter of people – such as using a moisturiser, drinking eight glasses of water a day, facial massage or facial exercises – will have nowhere near the anti-ageing impact of sun protection. “Many people don’t realise the extent to which UV irradiation can damage the skin. UV has strong links to skin cancer and also affects the elastin in the skin and leads to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing, for example leathery skin and uneven pigmentation.” With skin cancer rates rising faster than any other cancers, the British Association of Dermatologists’ Sun Awareness campaign aims to educate the public and health professionals on ‘early detection’ of skin cancer, and where members of the public can seek help should they be concerned about their skin. As part of this, the British Association of Dermatologists have created the ABCD-Easy guide to mole checks, to detect the signs of melanoma – the deadliest type of skin cancer. Look out for: Asymmetry - the two halves of the area may differ in shape Survey summary: - Ends- For more information please contact:
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine may benefit eczema patients For immediate release 12.03.08 A traditional Chinese herbal medicine consisting of five herbs may benefit people with eczema, new research in the British Journal of Dermatology will reveal. Scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong evaluated the effects of ‘pentaherbs formulation’ on patients aged between five and 21 with atopic eczema, the most common type of the disease which affects at least one in ten children. The pentaherbs formulation capsules contain extracts of five raw herbs based on a widely used ancestral Chinese concoction - Flos lonicerae (Japanese honeysuckle), Herba menthae (peppermint), Cortex moutan (root bark of peony tree), Atractylodes Rhizome (underground stem of the atractylodes herb) and Cortex phellodendri (Amur cork-tree bark). The first study was a clinical trial of 85 patient divided into a control group receiving a placebo, and a group taking the pentaherbs formulation. Using a questionnaire index that measures how much a skin problem affects a patient, the scientists found that the quality of life improved by a third in the group taking the herbs, compared to no improvement in the placebo-treated group. The researchers also found that the herbal remedy reduced patients’ needs for the conventional treatment of topical steroids, with the duration of use reduced by an average of four days per month in the herbal group, compared to one day per month in the placebo group. The team went on to explore the clinical effects of pentaherbs on the immune system. This is because people with eczema have been found to have higher blood levels of certain cytokines, a group of proteins and peptides that have a pivotal role in the immune system and which trigger inflammation in eczema. The herbs reduced the expressions of four proteins and cytokines thought to have inflammatory effects linked with eczema.* This was confirmed in tests done both by adding an extract of the pentaherbs formulation to blood cells in a test tube (in vitro testing), and by testing the blood of 28 children taking the supplements (in vivo testing). One of the studies’ authors Dr Ting-fan Leung said: “Our recent clinical trial showed that pentaherbs formulation reduced topical corticosteroid usage and improved quality of life in children with moderate to severe atopic eczema. Our latest study further clarifies this by showing that the herbs suppress the production of atopic eczema-related inflammatory mediators. Further studies are needed to explore this in more depth; however this is an interesting first step.” Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “These early studies shows that children with atopic eczema may benefit from a specific concoction of traditional Chinese herbs, which could eventually pave the way for this remedy to find its way into mainstream medicine. “However, we would warn against using Chinese herbal medications without first speaking to your doctor. Some retailers may not be reputable and the product they sell you may be of a low standard or could contain harmful ingredients.” -Ends- 2. For more information please contact: Nina Goad, British Association of Dermatologists, Communications Manager, Phone: 0207 391 6355, Email: nina@bad.org.uk, Website: www.bad.org.uk 3. Articles in the BJD can be viewed online: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/BJD The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease. Blackwell Publishing is a leading society publisher, partnering with 665 medical, academic and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and has over 6,000 books in print. In February 2007, Blackwell Publishing officially merged with John Wiley & Sons, Inc's Scientific, Technical and Medical business. For more information on Blackwell Publishing, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com or www.blackwell-synergy.com.
If in doubt, check it out! Sun Awareness 2008 launched For immediate release, 10.03.08 New statistics show that skin cancer is now the fastest growing cancer in the UK, and as early detection is crucial in its treatment, the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of mole checking through its ABCD-Easy guide to mole checks. Malignant melanoma kills around two thousand people a year, and the Association is keen to promote the use of its easy to use mole check guidelines. TV favourite Anne Robinson is supporting the campaign and turning her no-nonsense approach to the nation’s skin. She said: “I doubt I would be here today if a dermatologist hadn’t spotted that the mole in the middle of my back looked dangerous. It wasn’t visible to me. It took two operations to clear my melanoma; the result of years of sunbathing when I was young without bothering too much about protection -or realizing the risk to someone as fair skinned as I am. I’m lucky to be alive.” Anne’s case highlights the importance of checking you skin for signs of cancer, and the Association’s ABCD-Easy guide to mole checks focuses on the changes that may indicate a “melanoma” - the deadliest form of skin cancer: Remember - if in doubt, check it out! If your GP is concerned about your skin, make sure you see a Consultant Dermatologist, the most expert person to diagnose a skin cancer. your GP can refer you via the NHS. Asymmetry - the two halves of the area may differ in shape Border - the edges of the area may be irregular or blurred, and sometimes show notches Colour - this may be uneven. Different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen Diameter - most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. Report any change in size, shape or diameter to your doctor Expert - if in doubt, check it out! If your GP is concerned about your skin, make sure you see a Consultant Dermatologist, the most expert person to diagnose a skin cancer. Your GP can refer you via the NHS Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “Early detection of skin cancer can make all the difference to successful treatment and by promoting how easy skin checking can be, literally as easy as ABC, we want to encourage more people to make it part of their health routine.” Dermatologists are the experts in diagnosing and treating skin cancer, and BAD recommends reporting any unusual changes in your skin (not only those in its ABCDE guide) to your doctor so that a referral can be made. The vast majority of skin cancers are caused by excess exposure to the sun. In fact, more than four out of five cases of skin cancer are thought to be preventable. Simply being more aware of the general health of your skin and checking moles regularly – at least four times a year – could make all the difference. -ends- Note to editors: Latest statistics on skin cancer and perceptions of the disease as result of a new survey are also available. For more information about skin cancer and Sun Awareness, visit: http://www.bad.org.uk/public/cancer/ For more information, on mole checks or skin cancer and sun awareness, please contact: |
