Michelle Weber
It's a startling statistic causing serious concern. More than one million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. And, for those who enjoy fun in the sun, a new experimental cream can help. Tonight: 7's Janet Wu shows us how you can "Wipe Away Skin Cancer".
Pauline Andrews, Patient
"They've already done the biopsy and the cancer's gone."Dr. Ivor Caro, Director, Dermatology Clinical Investigations Unit, MGH
"There's no doubt that the cream works. It's worked in virtually all our patients."
The cream is called Aldara and currently a medication used for genital warts, but Dr. Ivor Caro of Mass General says it's on it's way to being the skin cancer cream of the future.
Dr. Ivor Caro
"And that will mean we will be able to treat the skin cancer without surgery, without having to cut it out."
While dermatologists nationwide are already using Aldara for the treatment of skin cancer, it has yet to be approved by the FDA, something Dr. Caro hopes his research will soon help to change
Dr. Ivor Caro
"We're trying to find out the statistics, what is the percentage cure rate with the cream so we'll be able to tell patients that in the future."
So this is how it works -- a patient applies Aldara topically every day for six weeks. The drug works by stimulating a person's immune system, so their own body attacks the cancer in the area where it's applied.
Dr. Ivor Caro
"Right, it's called an immune response modifier, so it modifies the skin's response to fight again the skin cancer."
That's because of a chemical called Interferon which in naturally found in the body. Experts say that when injected it can destroy skin cancer, what Aldara does is stimulates the body to produce Interfuron on it's own.
But there are side effects, they include itching, burning, redness, or rash. But for Pauline:
Pauline Andrews
"It's a little uncomfortable."
The side effects from Aldara far outweigh going under the knife.
Pauline Andrews
"You know, I mean, it is surgery. It's pretty uncomfortable there having somebody cut pieces out of you and sewing you back up together again. If you can use a cream to do it, why not?"
In addition to fighting basil cell carcinoma, the Aldara cream is also in studies to destroy pre-cancerous skin cancers as well.
Free skin cancer screening:
Monday, May 13th, at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The screening runs from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
For more information:
DR. IVOR CARO-Director, Dermatology Clinical Investigations Unit
Mass. General Hospital
Department of Dermatology
275 Cambridge Street
Boston MA, 02114
617-726-5066
