Yes I say always discuss your plan with your dermatologist with
anything new, especially home formulations. We can never be too
careful, and derms may be able to learn more about what works and does
not.

I read this through (see below) and I think this is what it is saying.
The normal process of cell division is that the EGF naturally in our
skin attaches to an EGF receptor on our cells. That receptor is called
EGFR (EGF Receptor). That activates tyrosine kinase, which triggers
cell growth and multiplication. So you have that normal process with
EGF, EGFR, and Tyrosine Kinase. BUT, cancer cells have a lot of EGF
receptors (EGFRs), so if you are someone who has skin cancer then it
would seem to make sense that adding more EGF would be bad. So, then
would it only be a concern if you have existing skin cancer? Has
anyone heard reports from anyone with EGF/cancer problems? Please more
info if you find any. So far I have been fine, and have not heard any
cancer reports.

"EGFR: Epidermal growth factor receptor. A protein found on the
surface of cells to which epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds. When
EGF attaches to EGFR, it activates the enzyme tyrosine kinase,
triggering reactions that cause the cells to grow and multiply. EGFR
is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of
cancer cells, which may divide excessively in the presence of EGF. The
drug Iressa attaches to EGFR and thereby inhibits the attachment of
EGF and stops cell division. The gene for EGFR is on chromosome 7p12.
3-p12.1. The EGFR molecule has 3 regions -- one projects outside the
cell and contains the site for binding EGF; the second is embedded in
the cell membrane; and the third projects into the cytoplasm of the
cell's interior. EGFR is a kinase that attaches phosphate groups to
tyrosine residues in proteins. EGFR is also known confusingly as
ErbB1, ErbB, oncogene ErbB, and HER1."


I'm not completely clear on it, so I talked to my derm and we decided
I would only use it once a day, to be very safe.

Here is a blurb about it from Skinactives. The question comes up
sometimes over there:

"Cancer cells have lost the normal controls, DNA mutations affecting
proteins involved in the control of cell division are the problem,
epidermal growth factor is not the reason why the become cancerous.
Epidermal growth factor is naturally in our skin, using EGF as part of
your skin care will help with skin thickness and renewal.

Cells in melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, have no receptors
for epidermal growth factor."

So, for me, I would really avoid it if I had rhinophyma or existing
skin cancer. As it is, I use it once a day and I monitor my skin
closely anyway.

Cheers!

Artist
Please note:

Although I am only a customer, after my experience with EGF,
Skinactives submitted a patent on it for rosacea and included me
because of input I provided to them.

In my opinion, when trying anything new for your rosacea, especially
home formulations, it is very important to visit your dermatologist
first. In addition, I would NOT apply EGF to rhinophyma or skin
cancer. This is my opinion, and does not take the place of advice from
your doctor.


--- In rosacea-support@yahoogroups.com, "dfries2003" <dfries2003@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm no expert, but just to remind everyone, since EGF has the
> potential for upregulating the growth rates of cancer cells, please
be
> sure to discuss the use of any topical with EGF in it with your
> dermatologist before using. At the very least, they should be able
> to help you keep a lookout for any signs of potential skin cancer
> while you're using it.
>
> http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=32387
>
> Also, I have not read any studies which suggest that rosacea itself
> may lead to increases in skin cancer rates, but inflammation has
been
> implicated in increased rates, and since rosacea involves a chronic
> inflammatory response, we should probably be extra careful:
>
> http://www.cancernetwork.com/journals/oncology/o0202d.htm
> http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/life_sciences/report-
32184.html
> http://www.skincancer.org/squamous/index.php
>
> Again, I'm no expert and don't really want to scare anyone. But be
> sure to talk this over with your dermatologist before using a
product
> with EGF in it...
>
>
> Dan
>