Protecting Skin from Skin Cancer with Plasma
Imagine a world where we can treat early-stage skin cancer without surgery or painful treatments. Sounds like science fiction? Thanks to groundbreaking research in plasma medicine, this future is closer than ever. This cutting-edge science is happening today in the labs of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Aminur Rashid is one of the researchers working there.
Every day, we step outside: commuting, walking the dog, or enjoying nature, unintentionally exposed to harmful UV rays. With climate change intensifying these risks, skin damage is becoming a silent epidemic. ‘Shockingly, by age 60, every second European develops actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis or sunspots’, Rashid explains. ‘This is a potential precursor to skin cancer. Sunspots are rough, scaly patches caused by excessive sun exposure. If left untreated, they can turn into deadly skin cancer. While anyone can develop solar keratosis, older individuals are particularly vulnerable, with about 25% of European adults having at least one lesion.’ Diagnosing which lesions turn deadly is difficult.
‘Our lab is at the forefront of revolutionizing how we tackle this condition’, Rashid continues. ‘Current treatments have limitations and side effects but what if there was a smarter, more precise way to fight back? That’s where plasma comes in: a game-changing technology. Think of plasma as the fourth state of matter: like the crackling energy of lightning or the mesmerizing glow of a neon sign. But in medicine, we harness a gentler, cooler form, that doesn’t burn. Still, it has the power to eliminate abnormal cells, and leave healthy tissue unharmed: a way to outsmart deadly cancer while keeping your skin safe.’
With climate change intensifying the risks of harmful UV rays, skin damage is becoming a silent epidemic.
This gas plasma is a game-changer: non-invasive, cost-effective, and a beacon of hope for millions battling pre-cancerous lesions. But it’s more than just a treatment; it’s a catalyst, awakening the body’s own defense mechanisms. ‘By harnessing the power of plasma, we’re not merely treating the skin: we’re rewriting the story of skin cancer prevention’, according to Rashid. ‘In our lab, we strive to combat this silent threat at its very roots, ensuring that the sun, a source of life, does not become a harbinger of disease. With each experiment, we move closer to a future where early intervention saves lives before damage turns irreversible.’