Shea Butter as a preventative method in the development of Skin Cancer, Sleroderma and Ptergium

Skin cancer is seen as one of the most hazardous forms of cancer found in humans . The most common skin cancers include Melanoma , Squamous cell carcinoma , and Basel cell carcinoma  with  Melanoma being the most unpredictable (Rao,2016) . Systemic Sclerosis or Scleroderma is a form of progressive fibrosis that occurs when excessive amounts of collagen are deposited in skin tissue leading to pathogenesis in organ function . The characteristics of the disease are continued vascular constriction ;including the small vessels that surround organs . Most of the diseases described can be attributed to UVA exposure . Another disease that develops in humans and that can also be attributed to UVA exposure is Ptergium , Ptergium is a degenerative disease that affects ocular function it proliferates the sclera of the eye (Tan et al ,1999). The symptoms of Ptergium include cellular changes in the medial limbus of the cornea. It is interesting to note that Basel cell and Squamous cell carcinomas are of a superficial nature , and Melanomas are cancer types that metastasize whereas Basel cell and Squamous cell cancers do not they literally burr a hole in the affected site , but do not act systemically. Prevention seems to be the best mode and approach to addressing skin cancer and Ptergium . Recently the question of preventative methods was evaluated particularly with climate change considerations , nutritional considerations , and environmental consideration made to not only establish best practice methods but to make recommendations in public health which are efficacious  and cost effective . Shea butter is one treatment alternative  which is currently being analyzed  for its healing properties .  One of shea butters qualities is called Tocopherol , tocopherol is a type of vitamin E that is found in Shea butter ; tocopherol is derived from vegetable oils . Shea butter eliminates inflammation , protects the skins surface from free radicals in the environment and is a natural antioxidant ; the fact that it also acts as an anti inflammatory is no surprise because Vitamin E is prescribed for burn victims as a topical remedy and usually recommended from Aloe Vera . The way in which aloe vera works is striking because it literally pulls blood to the affected area so that immune response can be had and the bodies natural healing processes can proceed. This can also be observed then when applying Shea butter ; further tocopherol is known as an antioxidant that provides for the skin since 96% of the skins natural antioxidant defense system  is also derived from tocopherol which is consumed from plant foods . So why is Shea butter being recommended as a public health measure fro the three diseases described in this issue , because it serves to protect the skins surface from UVA rays to prevent the development of skin cancer , and because it serves to deter inflammatory processes that are a byproduct of collagen deposition in Sleroderma and maintains the skin moisturized all year around

References

doi.org /10.1002/art.178230510

Jimenez,S.A & Hitraya,E (2015) Pathogenesis of Sleroderma. Rheumatic Disease Clinics.

Saw, S.A & Tan , D (1999) Ptergium Prevalence ,Demography and Risk Factors .Opthalmic Epidemiology vol 6 Issue 3

MaKeish, N.D (2012) Medical Benefits of the Shea Butter Nut Tree .Digital Scholarship .Tennessee State University.