| There are over one million new cases of skin | | | | just where you might not want any. |
| cancer diagnosed every year in the United States, | | | | But there are alternatives. Having had a number |
| representing about half of all cancers diagnosed in | | | | of non-melanoma skin cancers, I've had the |
| the country. And skin cancer on a dramatic | | | | opportunity to try both the AMA (have the scars |
| increase. There are twice as many skin cancers in | | | | to prove it) as well as several "alternative" |
| our population today as there were 20 years ago. | | | | approaches. The method of treatment that I've |
| Given this rate of increase, chances are about 50 | | | | settled on is the herb Chaparral. Chaparral is a |
| 50 that you will develop at least one skin cancer | | | | plant that grows in the deserts of the |
| lesion if you live to age 70. This is especially true if | | | | southwestern U.S. and has been used historically |
| you are fair-skinned. While skin cancer can occur | | | | by the indigenous populations of the region for a |
| in people of all races, those with lighter skin have | | | | number of ailments. Today, it can be found in |
| a much higher risk because their skin contains less | | | | powder form at most health food stores. A small |
| of the pigment melanin, which helps protect | | | | bag is all one needs and only cost a few bucks. |
| against an overdose of the sun's damaging | | | | I make a paste by mixing the powder with wheat |
| ultraviolet rays, which can lead to skin cancer | | | | germ oil (also found at your local health food |
| over time. The effect is apparently cumulative. A | | | | store) and apply it directly to the lesion. Then I |
| body of evidence also suggests that this also | | | | cover it with a Band-Aid. I do this once in the |
| applies if you decide to go the "fake bake" route | | | | morning (after my shower) and again in the |
| of the tanning salons. | | | | evening for six or seven days- carefully removing |
| Thankfully, most skin cancers, about 95 percent, | | | | the old paste with a Q-tip. The advantages I have |
| are not life threatening. Skin cancer falls into two | | | | found are as follows: No pain. Perhaps a slight |
| broad areas: basal-cell cancer / sqamous-cell | | | | tingling at first. As chaparral only targets the |
| cancer, and melanoma. The two most common | | | | cancerous cells, without affecting the surrounding |
| of these cancers are the basal-cell and | | | | normal tissue, my skin can quickly begin to repair |
| sqamous-cell carcinomas. These typically are easily | | | | itself naturally after the cancer is gone leaving |
| treated, usually with surgery, and rarely lead to | | | | usually just a "new skin" pink spot for several |
| death. If neglected, however, over time, these | | | | months. And all this at a fraction of the cost of a |
| can eventually lead to disfigurement and/or can | | | | surgical procedure. |
| spread with dire consequences. Only about 5 | | | | If this all seems a bit strange to you, please |
| percent of all skin cancers are malignant | | | | understand that this is nothing new. There are a |
| melanomas, but these are far more dangerous | | | | number of books that have been written that |
| and account for almost all deaths due to skin | | | | offer other non-evasive, less painful methods of |
| cancer. This aggressive form of cancer needs to | | | | treating basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers |
| be addressed immediately. Like most cancers, the | | | | as well. I would recommend the book, The Skin |
| risk of malignant melanomas will increase with age. | | | | Cancer Answer: The Natural Treatment for Basal |
| If you feel you have developed any type of skin | | | | and Sqamos-Cell Carcinomas and Keratoses. This |
| cancer be sure to see a dermatologist at once. | | | | book is priced right, easy to read and provides |
| Most skin cancers, as one might imagine, occur on | | | | you with what many might feel is a better |
| the face, neck and hands as these are the areas | | | | method of treatment. But check around- and see |
| that receive the most exposure to the sun due | | | | what work best for you, knowing that many |
| to the fact that most of us wear clothes. These | | | | others have taken the non-AMA approach. In any |
| are also the areas that are most exposed to the | | | | event, use a dermatologist to diagnose what type |
| view of others. As the usual AMA's (American | | | | of skin condition you might have, discuss it with |
| Medical Association) approach to skin cancer is | | | | him, but know that there may be cost effective, |
| knife and needle, this can leave unsightly scars | | | | alternatives to the knife and needle. |