U.S. melanoma cases rise 250% among children, young adults‏

Melanoma Rates Way Up Among Young People in U.S.

TUESDAY, June 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Melanoma, the potentially deadly skin cancer, has increased by 250 percent among U.S. children and young adults since the 1970s, researchers report.
Young women appear to be especially vulnerable, accounting for two-thirds of cases diagnosed in 2011, scientists at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., reported.
"The reality is that melanoma is the third most common cancer in those 15 to 39 years old, and these numbers have been steadily increasing," said the study's senior author, Dr. Nikhil Khushalani, section chief for soft tissue and melanoma at the cancer institute.
The findings were scheduled for presentation this week at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in Chicago. Research presented at meetings is usually considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
"This is a national problem that needs to be addressed, and it begins with awareness and effective prevention strategies," Khushalani said in a society news release.
The researchers uncovered some good news, however. Melanoma survival rates are also on the rise, increasing from 80 percent in the mid-to-late 1970s to 95 percent in 2011.
For the study, investigators analyzed more than 35,000 cases of melanoma among patients younger than age 40 and diagnosed between 1973 and 2011. Ninety-eight percent of the cases involved teens and young adults between 15 and 39.
While women accounted for 57 percent of melanomas reported between 1973 and 1980, they comprised about 65 percent of all diagnoses by 2011. The researchers said this is likely because of unsafe tanning practices. Sunbathing and indoor tanning are known risk factors for skin cancer.
While 4 percent of melanoma cases diagnosed before 1980 were classified as noninvasive and early stage, these cancers accounted for more than 20 percent of all cases by 2011, the study also found.
"Given the epidemic rise of melanoma cases diagnosed among children, adolescents and young adults, it is imperative that new research initiatives are implemented, genetic and environmental risk factors identified, and effective prevention and screening strategies employed," the study's lead author, oncology fellow Dr. Demytra Mitsis, said in the news release.

**Info from AAP News Brief

Early childhood vaccine reduces leukemia risk

Dr Jopling found this great article put out by the AAP-- SAN FRANCISCO, May 21 (UPI) -- The Haemophilus influenzae Type b, or Hib, vaccine helps prevent the most common type of childhood cancer, in addition to its primary mission of preventing ear infections and meningitis that are caused by the Hib bacterium, according to a new study. Researchers now believe the vaccine prevents acute lymphoblastic leukemia because Hib infections can increase immune system reactions that turn relatively common "pre-leukemia" blood cells into cancer cells. This is prevented because the infections don't happen once all four doses of the vaccine have been administered to children.

"These experiments help explain why the incidence of leukemia has been dramatically reduced since the advent of regular vaccinations during infancy," said Markus Müschen, MD, PhD, a professor of laboratory medicine at University of California-San Francisco, in a press release. "Hib and other childhood infections can cause recurrent and vehement immune responses, which we have found could lead to leukemia, but infants that have received vaccines are largely protected and acquire long-term immunity through very mild immune reactions." With this knowledge in hand, researchers now are looking at other other vaccines to see if the infections they prevent are connected to the way other cancers begin forming in the body. "The study provides mechanistic support for the hypothesis that infection or inflammation promotes the evolution of childhood leukemia and that the timing of common infections in early life is critical," said Mel F. Greaves, MD, PhD, professor of cell biology at the Institute of Cancer Research in London.

Memorial day weekend

The doctors and staff of Willow Creek Pediatrics would like to wish our patients and their families a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

As with every holiday, there will be a doctor available on Memorial Day to see patients with urgent medical problems. We will book patients in consecutive order and stay until our latest scheduled patient is seen. If you need an appointment or need medical advice, please feel free to contact the office on Monday after 9:00 am. We also will have a doctor here Saturday and Sunday. Phones turn on at 8:00 am on Saturday and 8:30 am on Sunday.

New Parking Stalls!

 

YEAH!!! We have three new stalls for parents of small children or expectant mom's at our office. We know how hard parking can be and we hope these will help. . They are located right up front just west of the doors. There is also a 15 min drop off spot if you are coming in to pick up a prescription or other items. Thanks for being such great patients! We love having your children at our office! 

Asthma Triggers: That time of the year again!

 

Certain things cause asthma “attacks” or make asthma worse. These are called triggers. Some common asthma triggers are

• Things your child might be allergic to. These are called allergens. (Most children with asthma have allergies, and allergies are a major cause of asthma symptoms.)
• House dust mites
• Animal dander
• Cockroaches
• Mold
• Pollens
• Infections of the airways
• Viral infections of the nose and throat
• Other infections, such as pneumonia or sinus infections
• Irritants in the environment (outside or indoor air you breathe)
• Cigarette and other smoke
• Air pollution
• Cold air, dry air
• Odors, fragrances, volatile organic compounds in sprays, and cleaning products
• Exercise (About 80% of people with asthma develop wheezing, coughing, and a tight feeling in the chest when they exercise.)
• Stress

Be sure to check all of your child’s “environments,” such as school, child care, and relatives’ homes, for exposure to these same things.

Help Your Child Avoid Triggers

While it is impossible to make the place you live in completely allergenor irritant-free, there are things you can do to reduce your child’s exposure to triggers. The following tips may help.

• Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke in your home or car.
• Reduce exposure to dust mites. The most necessary and effective things to do are to cover your child’s mattress and pillows with special allergy-proof encasings, wash their bedding in hot water every 1 to 2 weeks, remove stuffed toys from the bedroom, and vacuum and dust regularly. Other avoidance measures, which are more difficult or expensive, include reducing the humidity in the house with a dehumidifier or removing carpeting in the bedroom. Bedrooms in basements should not be carpeted.
• If allergic to furry pets, the only truly effective means of reducing exposure to pet allergens is to remove them from the home. If this is not possible, keep them out of your child’s bedroom and consider putting a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in their bedroom, removing carpeting, covering mattress and pillows with mite-proof encasings, and washing the animals regularly.
• Reduce cockroach infestation by regularly exterminating, setting roach traps, repairing holes in walls or other entry points, and avoiding leaving exposed food or garbage.
• Mold in homes is often due to excessive moisture indoors, which can result from water damage due to flooding, leaky roofs, leaking pipes, or excessive humidity. Repair any sources of water leakage. Control indoor humidity by using exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen, and adding a dehumidifier in areas with naturally high humidity. Clean existing mold contamination with detergent and water. Sometimes porous materials such as wallboards with mold contamination have to be replaced.
• Pollen exposure can be reduced by using an air conditioner in your child’s bedroom, with the vent closed, and leaving doors and windows closed during high pollen times. (Times vary with allergens, ask your allergist.)
• Reduce indoor irritants by using unscented cleaning products and avoiding mothballs, room deodorizers, or scented candles.
• Check air quality reports in weather forecasts or on the Internet. When the air quality is poor, keep your child indoors and be sure he takes his asthma control medications.
• Decreasing your child’s exposure to triggers will help decrease symptoms as well as the need for asthma medications.

--Info from healthychildren.org and AAP

April is Organ donation month

April is Organ Donation month. Here are a few facts to keep you informed.

Article Body

**Did you know that every year more than 1700 children are saved by organ donation?

**Did you know that there are more than 2000 children waiting for an organ donation?

Organ and tissue donation saves lives—and gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, new faces or new hands to those who have had terrible accidents. It’s a donation that literally changes everything for the recipient; it’s a donation that gives life and hope in the truest way possible.

But there aren’t enough donors. While every day about 79 people of all ages receive an organ donation, every day 21 people die while they wait for one.

Organ donation isn’t always easy to talk and think about—because while some donations (such as bone marrow or kidney donations) come from people who are alive and well, most (such as heart or lung donations) come from someone who is dying. Nobody wants to think about that.

But we all do need to think about it—because there may come a time when the unthinkable happens and a doctor will come and ask us about organ donation. Time is of the essence when answering. That’s why it’s better to think about it and never have to answer the question than to not think about it and waste precious, life-saving time.

Did you know that 8 lives can be saved by one donor?

That’s a lot of lives to save. It doesn’t make the tragedy of losing someone we love any less—but saving lives is a beautiful way to honor our loved one, and let something good come of something unspeakably horrible.

 

To learn more about organ donation, and register to be an organ donor yourself, visit www.organdonor.gov.

Dog Safety Reminders for Children

With summer approaching quickly we thought we would remind you of some great safety tips with dogs. Have a wonderful and safe Spring!

• Always ask permission to pet a dog that is not your own
• If you have permission, walk slowly and let the dog sniff the back of your hand before you try to pet it.
• Do not stare into the eyes of a dog. They think you might hurt them when you do this
• Pet dogs under the chin or the side of the face until they are comfortable with the attention
• Never tease a dog when playing with them
• Never try to play with a dog if they are sleeping, eating, or caring for their young
• Never approach or tease a dog that is tied outside or in a fenced area
• Never approach a stray dog
• Tell and adult if you see a stray dog wandering around
• Do not pot and assistance dog (assistance dogs sometimes wear special vest) Assistance dogs work hard to keep their owner safe and should not be distracted