PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- One in five Americans will develop some kind of skin cancer in their lifetime. New studies show that the number of people in the 20's and 30's being diagnosed is also on the rise. But instead of surgery, more patients are turning to creams that can elminate skin cancer and restore healthy skin.
Last winter, Vincent Fierro discovered a spot on his nose. Subsequently a full body check at his dermatologist office turned up another bump near his left shoulder. The spot on his nose turned out to be a pre-cancerous lesion, the one on his body was basal cell carcinoma, the most common typ of skin cancer. Instead of having them forzen off, which can leave scars, Fierro opted for being treated with this cream called EFudex.
"I wanted to try the cream, it is less invasive it dosen't leave any residual effects of freezing or surgical procedures," said Fierro.
Dermatologist Dr. Carmen Rinaldi of Dermatology Associates says the cream is applied each day for two to six weeks. He says it inhibits the DNA in the skin cells.
"It leads to cell death, the effects are the most prominent on rapidly dividing cells, such as pre-cancerous or cancerous cells," said Dr. Rinaldi.
This past spring, our own Cindy Williams was prescribed the cream Carac after three spots on her face turned out to be pre-cancerous lesions. Carac's is approved by the FDA to use on pre-cancerous spots. Like Efudex, it causes redness and irritation as the skin peels off slowly and heals over time.
Both Fierro and Williams are thrilled with the results from the cream, which they say left them with healthy and soft skin.
The most common side effectgs of Carac and Efudex include itching, burning, soreness, scaling and swelling.
NEWS CENTER