Skin cancer - a growing risk
Skin Cancer affects over 40,000 people a year in the UK, and the number continues to grow. The main cause is exposure to sunlight and the harmful ultraviolet rays that this contains. People now live longer and take more holidays in sunny climates, therefore these harmful rays have more time to cause damage. Exposure over many years can lead to problems, usually after the age of 40 and often not seen until people are in their 60s and 70s.
Such skin conditions caused by the sun's damaging rays may be treated with a new technique called Photodynamic Therapy - PDT - which uses a pure red light to treat the affected skin.
Your doctor or consultant may have chosen Omnilux PDT to treat your skin condition.
A new treatment
The latest treatment, which your doctor may recommend, is Omnilux PDT light treatment. Omnilux PDT is the world's most spectrally pure and powerful non-laser light source. This provides optimal clinical effectiveness in the photodynamic treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers and precursor lesions.
It is a treatment you may not have heard of, so this information is designed to answer questions you may have.
Is Omnilux PDT a complicated procedure?
No! Omnilux PDT treatment is usually a single treatment.
How does Omnilux PDT work?
The treatment consists of applying a special cream called 5-ALA to the skin cancer and then after 2 hours shining a pure red light on the area to be treated. After treatment a special dressing is applied to the area and you will be allowed home.
Is Omnilux PDT safe?
Yes! The treatment is simple and doesn't harm normal skin. There have been no noted complications during the treatment and no long term side effects.
I've heard lasers are dangerous.
Don't worry, the Omnilux light is NOT a laser and the regulation authorities have also given it a health and safety (CE) seal of approval.
How successful is Omnilux PDT?
The technology has already proven itself in UK hospitals over the last 10 years, with around 800 cases of skin cancer treated successfully.
What are the advantages of Omnilux PDT?
The light can reach difficult areas and can be used on broken or poor healing skin. Importantly the light can be used on areas of the body where you do not want scarring, such as the face, legs and arms. Healing is rapid and the final quality of healing is usually excellent. The cosmetic result is very good.
Are there any complications?
There have been no recorded complications or long-term side effects noted in 10 years of clinical studies.
What will the treatment involve?
In the morning you will be asked to attend the clinic where special photosensitising cream (ALA) is applied to the skin cancer and a simple dressing will cover the site.
After 2 hours the dressing will be removed and the pure red light will be shone onto the skin cancer.
When the treatment has finished a special dressing will be applied that will exclude light. This must be left on for 24-36 hours.
Does it hurt?
There may be slight discomfort or pain during the treatment. If so the doctor may relieve this for you with a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
What do I do when I return home?
You must keep the dressing on for 24-36 hours to prevent sunlight reaching the treated area.
After the dressing has been removed a crust may form. Healing takes place under this crust, so do not disturb it. The crust will fall off naturally when the area underneath has healed.
After 24-36 hours, you can wash, bathe or shower as normal. Do not rub the treated area, but gently dab it dry.
How many treatments are necessary?
Usually one is all that is necessary, but occasionally a second is required for some cancers.
Your Doctor or Consultant will advise you of a date for a routine follow-up examination.
