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Health Uncle:What Are Moles-and when they should be evaluated

Moles are concentrations of melanocytes,the cells that give your skin its color.They may be flat or raised.Normal moles are evenly shaped and colored.A mole with irregular borders;a size greater than a pencil eraser;an uneven shape;or more than one color or shade is atypical.Any mole that has changed,looks weird or suddenly appeared if you are over 40,should  be examined by a health professional as soon as possible.In rare cases,moles can be precancerous or cancerous.
Cancerous moles are called malignant melanomas.They are a kind of tumor of the skin.Some melanomas metastasize slowly;but others can spread rapidly to other organs,often with fatal consequences.Young people can get and die from malignant melanomas.
Melanomas are diagnosed by biopsy.The suspicious mole is normally removed in a doctor's office.Mole removal is one of the most common surgeries.It only takes about ten minutes and is done under local anesthesia.The tissue will be sent to a lab for analysis.If the mole is cancerous,it must be staged,or assessed to see if it has spread.If it is superficial,no further treatment is required.If it has spread,an oncologist,or cancer specialist,will draw up a treatment plan following tests to definitively stage the cancer.Treatment of these more advanced melanomas may involve more surgery,radiation and chemotherapy of various types,depending on the patient's situation.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation and heredity are significant factors that predispose to developing malignant melanomas.If any moles are worrying you,don't hesitate to have them examined.Remember,they don't have to be grotesque to be dangerous.

Fish For The Eyes

Even one serving of fish a week can be highly beneficial for your eyes,according to a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.The research found that fish can reduce your risk of getting age-related macular degeneration,or AMD,by up to 30%.AMD is a grave threat to vision for people over 65.It damages the retina,a layer of cells in the back of the eye that are sensitive to light.Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are believed to have a protective effect on the eyes.
Exposure to the sun's UV rays has been linked to AMD,so wearing UV-rated sunglasses may also be beneficial in warding off the disease.The drugs Lucentis and Avastin have been used to treat some cases of AMD with remarkable results,reversing blindness.The Genentech division of Swiss firm Roche manufactures the medicine.

Health Uncle:Summer Hazards

The hazards of summer are mainly related to the sun on the one hand,and water on the other.Not everyone is active on the water,but we all deal with the sun.Heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and dehydration are threats,especially to vulnerable populations,but the spectre of skin cancer is a less immediate threat,though a more widespread occurrence.More than 10,000 Americans die of skin cancer every year-mostly from melanoma.If diagnosed early,melanoma patients can survive quite a long time.Five years after diagnosis,99% of melanoma patients are still alive.
Besides melanoma,there are more than a million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed each year in the U.S.These are also mainly sun-related,but they tend not to spread to other organs,unlike melanoma.Non-melanoma skin cancers are typically found on the face,lips,ears and neck,which are exposed to the sun more.The eyes are at risk from the sun's UV rays as well.Cataracts and macular degeneration have been linked to the solar rays.Light-colored clothing,sun glasses,sunscreen and hats keep us feeling and looking cooler through those hot,bright summer days,and help preserve our health.