Skin Cancer increasing in adolescents

In a recent sudy published in Pediatrics, since the 1970's the rate of melanoma has been rising about 2% per year in adolescents. The diagnosis was early twice as common in girls compared to boys. The most frequent melanoma sites in girls were lower limbs and hips, and on boys was face and abdomen.

The study reports increasing trends for melanoma over sun-exposed areas of the face and body and also suggests that tanning facilities may be a major explaination of why the rate is higher in girls.

Remember that sunscreen is the best protection if your children are active and outdoors. We are offering 20% off all our sunscreen products in May. Our suncreen product line offers full BROAD SPECTRUM protection.

male breasts in teenage boys affects mental health

Breast enlargement (gynecomastia) negatively affects self esteem and mental/emotional health in teenage males. In a study reported in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, it was found that even mild gynecomastia can have adverse psychological effects in boys.

Gynecomastia is an enlargement of male glandular breast tissue that is very common in adolescent boys. Even with weight loss, the problem will not be corrected in patients who have glandular enlargement or those with excess skin in the breast area. The authors write that "merely having gynecomastia was sufficient to cause significant deficits in general health, social functioning, mental health, self esteem and eating behaviours and attitudes"

It may seem obvious that breast enlargement in males could have a psychological and emotional impact on teenage boys. However, adolescent gynecomastia has historically been a cosmetic procedure and in most cases is not reimbursed by health insurance.

Read the study
http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2013/04000/Psychosocial_Impact_of_Adolescent_Gynecomastia___A.44.aspx