(WOWT – Original Article) May 2nd, 2005
Researchers have developed skin care products designed specifically for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The Lindi Skin care line doesn't have strong fragrances or ingredients that are known to cause inflammation, sensitivity or irritation.
The formulations contain natural botanicals with anti-oxidant, anti-bacteria and anti-fungal properties. Sun protection is very important for patients getting cancer treatment. Lindi Sun is a lightweight sun protection spray with an SPF of 30+. There is a skin wash to clean and moisturize the skin, as well as a body lotion. For patients experiencing skin coloration problems, a specially formulated skin tint can be used to cover the area and improve the appearance of the affected skin. Specially designed sheets, called Skin Coolers, can be applied over an area to provide relief for burned or severely dry skin. There are also products for specific areas of the face - a soothing face serum, and eye hydrator and a lip balm. The cost of Lindi Skin care products ranges from $8.00 to $38.00. For information visit the company's website at http://www.lindiskin.com.
Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy The American Cancer Society estimates more than 1.3 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Surgery is often used to remove the cancer (or as much of the cancer as possible). Patients may also receive radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high doses of energy to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. With external radiation, beams of energy are directed from over the patient to a target area inside the body. The radiation travels through healthy tissues to reach the tumor. In internal radiation, tiny radioactive seeds or pellets are implanted into or near the site of the tumor. The implants release high doses of radiation directly to the cancer cells, reducing the risk of harmful radiation to surrounding healthy tissue. Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. Although the drugs target the cancer, normal cells can also be affected - especially those that grow and multiply very quickly. Chemotherapy may be given to cure a cancer, keep it from spreading, shrink a tumor, destroy any cancer cells that have spread through the body or relieve symptoms associated with the cancer.
Skin-Specific Side Effects of Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are both associated with side effects. External beam radiation passes through the body to reach the tumor, thus damaging healthy cells. Doctors try to limit damage by aiming the beam from different directions. However, the skin overlying the target area can still become red, irritated, dry and "burned." In some cases, the sunburn-like reaction can be severe and cause blistering. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause skin redness, dryness, peeling, rashes, itching, acne and sensitivity to the sun (which can cause severe sunburn). The hands and feet are especially prone to redness and dryness, leading to development of painful cracks and fissures in the fingers and toes. In patients who received prior radiation therapy, chemotherapy can sometimes cause an effect known as "radiation recall." In this phenomenon, the skin in the previously targeted area burns and turns red and itchy.
Dealing with Skin Side Effects Cancer patients often experience a great deal of emotional trauma in dealing with the cancer diagnosis, making treatment decisions and enduring side effects of the treatment. The effects on the skin can be very visible and distressing to the patient. In addition, pain from redness, cracking and burning in the hands and feet can cause difficulty with wearing shoes, buttoning clothing or even preparing foods. Traditional skin care products aren't recommended for cancer patients. Many over-the-counter products contain ingredients that can further irritate sensitive skin, causing even more redness, drying and cracking. Some lotions and creams have aluminum or other metals in them that can interfere with delivery of radiation therapy. READ MORE
