How to spot skin cancer

BY LENA HUANG | MARCH 8, 2010

The American Academy of Dermatology kicked off its 68th annual meeting on March 5 in Miami Beach, Florida. As with most medical meetings, research is introduced and findings are announced so I've been seeing a lot of dermatology stories come across the wire.

In a presentation on recent advances in technology that are helping doctors diagnose melanoma, Harold S. Rabinovitz, MD, FAAD, volunteer professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine said, "The technological advances in melanoma detection in the future will significantly improve our ability to detect early melanomas and help save countless lives. However, keeping a vigilant eye on our skin for any changes that could signal a problem is an irreplaceable first step in the process."

How do you do that? The Academy sponsors a great website to help. This website gives directions on how to perform a self-exam, how to find a dermatologist, and information on free screenings. It also has a very helpful tool, the body mole map, that defines the ABCDEs of melanoma detection (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving) with images.

Although less than 5 percent of skin cancer cases are diagnosed as melanoma, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. And unlike other cancers, melanoma occurs in the young and the old, and is one of the more common cancers that strikes young adults and adolescents. So don't forget the sunscreen, but more importantly, don't forget to self-exam and teach your children how to as well.

Lifestyle and prostate cancer

BY LENA HUANG | NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Two studies released this month shed light on how health and nutrition can affect prostate cancer patients. One study involved the impact of exercise and the other looked at red and processed meat consumption.

In "Can Men Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer Through Lifestyle Changes?" published in the Journal of Urology, researchers examined 190 men who underwent prostate biopsy at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In that group, researchers found that men who exercised moderately, such as walking three to six hours a week, were less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Researchers also found that of the men who were diagnosed, those who exercised had a lower risk of high-grade disease.

In another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers at the National Cancer Institute followed more than 175,000 men for nine years and found that men whose diets were high in red meat and processed meat had increased risks for developing prostate cancer at any stage. Further, researchers looked at cooking methods and found that men who ate meats cooked at high temperatures, such as with grilling and barbecuing, were also linked to increased risk for prostate cancer. A similar connection was found between men whose diets were high in nitrates, which are chemicals used to preserve and cure meats, such as bacon and ham. For more on this topic and ways to grill healthier, check out my article "Good Grilling."

While additional studies need to be completed on these topics, these studies provide more evidence that changes in lifestyle can influence our risk of certain cancers. And this is a powerful message--that we can make choices and change behaviors that may give us a better chance not get to cancer, and many other diseases, in the future.

Treating depression in older cancer patients

BY LENA HUANG | OCTOBER 22, 2009

Depression in older cancer patients is unfortunately common and often goes unrecognized and untreated. The American Cancer Society estimates about 1 in 4 people with cancer may have clinical depression, that is, not just having a bad day but feeling distress that impairs daily life and that lasts for several weeks or more. This is a problem because depressed cancer patients may feel less motivated to follow treatment plans, may not eat well or exercise, and may not care about getting better.

However, there is hope, according to results published this week in the Journal of General Internal Medicine from the Improving Mood-Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) study. Cancer patients were divided into two groups, one receiving IMPACT and the other receiving usual care. After six months, 55 percent of IMPACT patients showed a 50 percent or greater reduction in depressive symptoms. Of the usual care patients, about 34 percent showed a reduction in symptoms. In addition, IMPACT patients experienced greater remission rates, less fatigue, more depression-free days, and greater quality of life than the usual care patients.

The IMPACT program differs from usual care in that participants work with a depression care manager in their primary care provider's office or clinic. The depression care manager provides counseling, medication, or a combination of both to the patient and is supervised by a psychiatrist and the primary care physician. The IMPACT program was tested across the country in primary care facilities that serve a variety of socioeconomic and ethnic populations.

With the growing number of older cancer patients and survivors, it is important to have options, especially outside specialized cancer centers. Hopefully, results from the IMPACT study will increase the availability of depression care managers in primary care facilities, which will result in more patients and survivors being treated for this serious medical condition.

Energy balance and cancer

BY LENA HUANG | OCTOBER 13, 2009

Last week I attended a "first of its kind" conference on energy balance held at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. This was a "first" because it brought together researchers from many disciplines, from nutrition and exercise to genetics and psychology, who study how their specialty relates to energy balance and cancer.

The term energy balance simply defined is the balance between the energy we take in, generally through food and drink, and the energy we use, generally through physical activity and metabolism. But other factors, such as genetics, weight, psychosocial influences, and the effects of certain foods on the body, also contribute to energy balance.

The study of energy balance and cancer is a focus of the National Cancer Institute, a sponsor of the conference, because of studies linking being overweight or obese to increases in certain types of cancer, such as postmenopausal breast cancer, colon cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and endometrial cancer. This is a national concern because nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population is considered overweight or obese.

Research at the conference covered a lot of ground. I listened to researchers who presented studies in rat models that showed calorie restriction and increases in physical activity resulted in leaner animals that lived longer and had fewer tumors. There were studies presented on specific cancers and obesity, mostly focused on postmenopausal breast cancer. Research in other cancers, such as colorectal and prostate, were discussed, but also realized was the need to increased funding to research cancers that may get less attention.

I learned there will be a lot of interesting research coming out in the next year or so in this area, and I will continue to keep you updated. Until then, I am sure many of you wonder what you can do, a subject that was discussed at this conference as well. Until more specific recommendations are made, try to stick to the government's suggestions to exercise at least 150 minutes a week, to maintain a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, and to eat a healthy diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats. For more recommendations, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid website and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' guidelines for exercise.

A culinary legend dies

BY LENA HUANG | SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

We sadly lost another soul to brain cancer recently. Just five days after Sen. Ted Kennedy passed away from brain cancer, Sheila Lukins, 66, succumbed to the disease on Sunday.

You may remember Lukins as the food editor for Parade, where she wrote a monthly column with recipes and insight. After Julia Childs left the position in 1986, Lukins took over and brought her innovative style of cooking, reinterpreting old classics, such as beef stroganoff and chicken pot pie, and adding new creations, like Chicken Marbella, a wonderful medley of chicken, garlic, prunes, olives, and capers.

During college, I remember visiting The Silver Palate store in New York City where I first became enamored with Lukins' cooking and where I purchase my first "The Silver Palate Cookbook." I was raised on Julia Childs and Pei Mei, so Lukins' recipes were considered an adventure for me. Adding blueberry vinegar or mango chutney to a dish? I couldn't even find those items in Dallas in the 80s!

Lukins and her business partner, Julee Russo, resolved that quickly by developing a line of sauces and condiments that eventually arrived in local grocery stores. Two items I was never without were their Caesar salad dressing and their raspberry vinegar.

In 1989, Russo and Lukins published another cookbook called "The New Basics Cookbook," and besides Julia Childs and Pei Mei, this is the cookbook I consistently turn to for help and inspiration. It is filled with just about everything you need to know about cooking as well as crammed with hundreds of awesome recipes and tips. Also note, the book (as well as the other Silver Palate cookbooks) has wonderful illustrations, which were done by Lukins who was an artist as well.

I know there are many accomplishments and awards that Lukins achieved in her life that I have not mentioned here so for more on Lukins, here is her obituary from Parade. Lukins changed the way millions cook and her presence on the culinary scene will be missed. I think I'll pull out my worn cookbook tonight and make a dish or two in her honor.

Lo loses, SHARE wins

BY LENA HUANG | AUGUST 16, 2009

I was sad to see Anita Lo eliminated last week from Bravo's "Top Chef Masters." I have enjoyed watching Lo, chef-owner of Annisa restaurant, as she weaved her culinary genius around amazing dishes that blend her background in French cooking with flavors from around the world. For those of you who aren't familiar with the show, "Top Chef Masters" is a competition between prominent international chefs with the winners receiving donations to their favorite charities.

The good news is that Lo still banked some funds for her charity of choice, SHARE, along the way. Even though the grand finale has a $100,000 prize for the winner's charity of choice, each previous show was an individual competition with $10,000 going to the winner's charity, and Lo won a couple of those.

SHARE is a wonderful organization in our cancer community that provides a support network for women with breast or ovarian cancer. Besides offering an array of support programs and educational services, SHARE also accomplishes its mission with toll-free hotlines (866-891-2392 for breast, 866-537-4273 for ovarian) where survivors of breast and ovarian cancer answer questions, listen to concerns, and share their stories. It also has a dedicated hotline for Spanish speakers (212-719-4454) and has resources in 12 other languages. This is such a valuable resource for patients who want to talk to someone who has been through what they are facing.

So even though I'll miss Lo's amazing dishes and techniques (on one show she created the "illusion" of a scallop from a diakon radish filled with tartare, wow!), I'm still happy to know that SHARE is getting some help to continue their mission of supporting women with breast and ovarian cancer.

On the green, in the pink

BY LENA HUANG | JUNE 18, 2009

This morning, round one of the 109th U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York got started. Of interest is the match between the world's No. 1 golfer, Tiger Woods, and the No. 2 golfer, Phil Mickelson. And yet, another battle is being fought in Phil Mickelson's life--his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer a month ago.

Amy's diagnosis sent shockwaves through the golf world. Players pledged their support of Amy, 37, known as a fixture in tournament crowds always supporting her husband. Recently at the Colonial tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, the PGA Tour Wives Association, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and tour officials designated a "pink out" on the last day of play in honor of Amy and to raise awareness for breast cancer research. Players, caddies, tournament officials, and fans decked out in pink.

Phil announced he would take a leave of absence from golf to tend to his wife and family. He's played in 61 consecutive major championships. If Amy has surgery in July, Phil said he will miss the next major, the British Open. So not only will Phil's streak of consecutive majors be broken, but this Open may be the last tournament he plays for a while.

Golf analysts are saying the Open may be one of the greatest matchups if Tiger and Phil get paired on the last day. Last year, Tiger won the Open in dramatic style, limping to victory with two stress fractures and a torn ligament in his knee. Known for his desire to surpass Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles (Tiger has 14), no doubt Tiger is seeking another win.

But with Amy's diagnosis and with her absence being felt in the crowds at this week's Open, Phil is by far the sentimental favorite. In a press conference, he said she has been sending him notes and texts, and said she was hoping for a silver trophy in her hospital room.

I hope she gets her wish, and that she achieves a victory of sorts as well, that is, one over breast cancer.