Can Skin Cancer be Prevented by a $0.50 Soap? Meet TIME’s Kid of the Year and His Invention

Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old from Virginia, developed a bar of soap called Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) to combat melanoma, a type of skin cancer. His inspiration came from observing the harmful effects of sun exposure on workers in Ethiopia. Bekele aimed to create an affordable and accessible product to help protect people from skin cancer.

Why is Skin Cancer a Major Concern?

Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, is a serious global health issue. Melanoma is dangerous because it can spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early. Melanoma originates in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, which gives skin its color. Key factors that increase melanoma risk include UV exposure, skin type, and family history.

What Makes Bekele’s Skin Cancer Treating Soap Effective?

Bekele’s Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) is formulated with active ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin. These ingredients are known for their ability to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and promoting renewal. Tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative, helps regulate skin cell growth and differentiation.

How Does the Soap’s Innovative Delivery System Work?

The soap uses lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver imidazoquinolines, which reactivate dendritic cells and enhance the immune response against melanoma. This delivery system ensures that the active ingredients remain on the skin after washing, allowing for sustained therapeutic effects.

How Affordable and Accessible is Bekele’s Invention?

Bekele’s invention stands out for its affordability, with each bar of soap costing around $0.50. This low cost makes it accessible, especially in developing countries where skin cancer treatment is often expensive. By reducing the cost barrier, the soap could reach a broader audience, providing protection to those most vulnerable to skin cancer.

What is the Potential Global Impact of the Soap?

Bekele’s soap could significantly impact public health by making skin cancer prevention more accessible, particularly in regions with high sun exposure and limited healthcare resources. Its affordability and effectiveness offer a practical solution to a widespread health issue.

How Does Bekele’s Soap Work?

Bekele’s Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) takes a unique approach to fighting melanoma by boosting the immune response and using advanced delivery systems. Here’s a closer look at how it works.

Reactivating the Immune Response

Bekele’s soap is designed to enhance the body’s immune response against melanoma by reactivating dendritic cells. These cells are crucial for initiating immune reactions against cancer. They work by presenting antigens to T-cells, which then target and attack abnormal cells like those found in melanoma. By boosting dendritic cell activity, the soap aims to improve the body’s ability to detect and fight skin cancer.

Prolonged Therapeutic Effects

The soap utilizes lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver its active ingredients, ensuring they stay on the skin even after washing. This technology allows for prolonged therapeutic effects, reducing the need for frequent application and making it more convenient for daily use. The nanoparticles enhance the stability and absorption of the ingredients, ensuring they penetrate deeper into the skin for sustained action.

What Are the Key Components of the Soap?

The effectiveness of Bekele’s soap lies in its carefully selected ingredients, which play vital roles in both treating and maintaining healthy skin. The following sections detail the active components responsible for the soap’s therapeutic benefits.

Exfoliating Agents: Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid

Bekele’s soap contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid, both of which are well-known for their exfoliating properties. Salicylic acid works by shedding the outer layer of skin, unclogging pores, and promoting new skin cell growth, which can help reduce acne and improve overall skin texture. Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), promotes skin renewal by accelerating cellular turnover and stimulating collagen production. This can enhance skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines, contributing to overall skin health.

What Are the Potential Side Effects?

As with any topical treatment, it’s essential to consider potential side effects before using Bekele’s soap. Below, we examine the risks based on the soap’s active ingredients and the current stage of its development.

Known Risks Based on Ingredients

Although Bekele’s Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) is still in the testing phase, potential side effects can be anticipated based on its ingredients:

• Skin Irritation: Salicylic acid and glycolic acid may cause irritation, redness, or dryness, particularly in those with sensitive skin.
• Allergic Reactions: Users might experience itching, swelling, or rash as a reaction to one or more ingredients.
• Photosensitivity: Certain ingredients in the soap can increase sensitivity to sunlight, which may raise the risk of sunburn.
• Interaction with Other Treatments: Using this soap alongside other skin cancer treatments might lead to unknown interactions, potentially increasing side effects or diminishing efficacy.

What Is the Current Status of the Soap?

Bekele’s soap is still in the testing phase and has not yet undergone clinical trials in humans. As a result, comprehensive data on its safety and side effects is not yet available. Bekele is working with scientists to refine the formulation and is conducting laboratory tests, including studies on mice, to assess its safety and effectiveness.

Can Heman Bekele’s soap be used for other types of skin conditions?

Heman Bekele’s Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) is primarily designed for the treatment of melanoma, but its formulation may have potential applications for other skin conditions, particularly those that involve immune response or abnormal skin cell growth.

Potential Applications for Other Skin Conditions

1. Other Skin Cancers: Given that the active ingredient, imiquimod, is already used for treating conditions like superficial basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, SCTS might also be effective for these types of skin cancers. The soap’s ability to reactivate immune cells could help fight abnormal skin cells in these conditions.
2. Psoriasis: The soap’s immune-boosting formulation could also benefit those with psoriasis, a condition marked by rapid skin cell proliferation and inflammation. By promoting a healthy immune response, the soap may help manage psoriasis symptoms.
3. Warts and Other Viral Skin Conditions: Imiquimod, an ingredient in SCTS, is known for its effectiveness against certain viral skin infections, including warts. The soap could potentially serve as a topical treatment for these and similar viral conditions.
4. Acne: The exfoliating properties of salicylic acid and glycolic acid in the soap make it a promising option for treating acne. These ingredients help unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and promote clearer skin.

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a serious and potentially deadly form of skin cancer that originates in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Although melanoma accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancers, it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths due to its ability to spread rapidly if not detected and treated early. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 106,110 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the United States in 2021, resulting in approximately 7,180 deaths.

What Causes Melanoma and What Are the Risk Factors?

The primary cause of melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sources such as sunlight, tanning beds, or sunlamps. UV radiation damages the DNA in melanocytes, leading to the uncontrolled cell growth characteristic of melanoma. Key risk factors include:

• Skin Type: Individuals with fair skin, light hair, blue or green eyes, and a tendency to freckle are at a higher risk of developing melanoma. According to studies, people with fair skin are up to 20 times more likely to develop melanoma than those with darker skin tones.
• Moles: Having more than 50 moles or atypical moles can increase the risk. Research indicates that individuals with numerous moles are 2-4 times more likely to develop melanoma.
• Family History: A family history of melanoma increases the risk by 2-3 times compared to those without a family history.
• Age: While melanoma is more common in older adults, it is increasingly diagnosed in younger individuals, particularly women under 40. Melanoma is the second most common cancer in young adults aged 15-29.

What Are the Different Types of Melanoma?

Melanoma can present in several forms, each with distinct characteristics. Understanding these types is crucial for early detection and treatment:

Superficial Spreading Melanoma

This is the most common type, accounting for about 70% of all melanoma cases. It often appears on the arms, legs, chest, and back and typically grows slowly at first, making it easier to catch in its early stages.

Nodular Melanoma

Nodular melanoma is more aggressive and grows rapidly. It can appear as a bump on the skin, often blue-black in color, though it can also be red or skin-colored. This type represents about 15-20% of melanoma cases and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

Typically found in older adults, especially those with significant sun damage, lentigo maligna melanoma starts as a flat, discolored area. It accounts for about 10% of melanoma cases and usually develops on sun-exposed areas such as the face and neck.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma

A rare form of melanoma, acral lentiginous melanoma occurs on the palms, soles, or under the nails. It is more common in people with darker skin and accounts for less than 5% of all melanoma cases. Despite its rarity, it is the most common form of melanoma in African Americans and Asians.

What Are the Symptoms of Melanoma?

Early detection of melanoma is crucial for successful treatment. The first signs of melanoma often involve noticeable changes in existing moles or the appearance of new skin growths. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the ABCDE rule is a helpful guide for identifying suspicious moles:

1. Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
2. Border Irregularity: The edges of the mole are ragged, notched, or blurred.
3. Color Variation: The color of the mole is not uniform and may include shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue.
4. Diameter: The mole is larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
5. Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color, or begins to bleed, itch, or crust.

If you notice any of these changes, it’s important to consult a dermatologist immediately.

How Is Melanoma Diagnosed and Treated?

Diagnosis and treatment of melanoma vary based on the stage at which the cancer is detected. Early detection often leads to more effective and less invasive treatments.

Surgical Treatment Options

• Excision: For early-stage melanoma, surgical excision of the tumour along with a 2 cm margin of normal skin is typically sufficient according to the data published in Can J Surg. 2003 by Haigh et al. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
• Mohs Surgery: Used primarily for melanomas in cosmetically sensitive areas, Mohs surgery involves the precise removal of cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. According to a study published in the JAMA Dermatology in 2017 by Nosrati et al, this technique has a high cure rate, with a 5-year survival rate of around 94% for early-stage melanomas.
• Lymph Node Dissection: If melanoma has spread to the sentinel lymph node, additional lymph nodes may be surgically removed to prevent further metastasis. According to the American Cancer Society, lymph node involvement significantly impacts prognosis, with the 5-year survival rate dropping to around 74% when lymph nodes are affected.

Non-Surgical Treatments

For advanced melanoma or cases where surgery is not feasible, several non-surgical treatments are available:

• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy has become a cornerstone in the treatment of advanced melanoma. Drugs like pembrolizumab, a combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab, known as checkpoint inhibitors, help boost the body’s immune response against cancer cells. Study by Larkin et al published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that these therapies can improve 5-year survival rates to up to 50% in patients with advanced melanoma.
• Targeted Therapy: For melanomas with specific genetic mutations, such as BRAF mutations, targeted therapies can be highly effective. These drugs, as Dabrafenib in combination with MEK inhibitor Trametinib, inhibit pathways that promote cancer cell growth. According to Robert et al study published in New England Journal of Medicine, the Response Rates of these drugs for BRAF positive melanomas can be as high as 70%, with long term survival of those who achieved complete response.
• Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: These days, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have very limited role in treating melanomas and are preserved for specific, more advanced cases.

What Is the Prognosis for Melanoma?

The prognosis for melanoma largely depends on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed:

• Localized Melanoma: When melanoma is confined to the skin, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 99%. Early detection and treatment are key to achieving this high survival rate.
• Regional Spread: If melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate drops to about 75%.
• Distant Metastasis: When melanoma spreads to distant organs, the 5-year survival rate falls to around 35%.

Recognition and Future Plans

Heman Bekele’s innovative approach to combating skin cancer has garnered significant attention, culminating in his victory at the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, where he earned the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” and a $25,000 prize. This recognition is not just a testament to his scientific ingenuity but also to his commitment to addressing global health challenges.

Bekele is now focused on obtaining FDA approval for his Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS). His vision extends beyond this initial success; he plans to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing the soap to communities most in need. By targeting populations at higher risk due to environmental factors, particularly in developing countries where access to skin cancer treatments is often limited, Bekele aims to make a substantial impact on global health.

The funding from his recent win will be instrumental in securing a patent for his soap, paving the way for wider distribution. Bekele’s journey reflects a deep dedication to not only advancing scientific solutions but also ensuring that these innovations reach those who need them most. As he works towards bringing his soap to market, the potential for his invention to change lives on a global scale is becoming increasingly evident.

FAQ

Can a $0.50 soap really prevent skin cancer?

While there is promising research behind Heman Bekele’s $0.50 Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS), it is still in the testing phase and has not yet been FDA-approved. The soap shows potential in preventing skin cancer, but more research and clinical trials are needed before it can be considered an official preventive measure.

How can I protect my skin from sun damage?

You can protect your skin from sun damage by wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing protective clothing such as hats and long sleeves, seeking shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and avoiding tanning beds.

What are the risk factors for skin cancer?

Risk factors for skin cancer include excessive UV exposure, fair skin, light hair and eyes, a history of sunburns, a large number of moles or atypical moles, a family history of skin cancer, and older age.

Is skin cancer preventable?

Yes, skin cancer is largely preventable by taking proactive measures such as protecting your skin from UV radiation, avoiding tanning beds, wearing sunscreen, and regularly checking your skin for any changes.

Can regular soap prevent skin cancer?

Regular soap does not have the properties necessary to prevent skin cancer. However, specialised soaps like Heman Bekele’s Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS), which are formulated with active ingredients, are being researched for their potential preventive effects.

How do I know if a mole could be skin cancer?

To determine if a mole could be skin cancer, use the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving size, shape, or color. If a mole meets any of these criteria, consult a dermatologist.

What is experimental treatment for skin cancer, and is it safe?

Experimental treatment for skin cancer refers to new therapies being tested in clinical trials that are not yet widely available. While they offer hope for better outcomes, they may carry unknown risks. Safety is closely monitored in clinical trials, but it’s important to discuss potential benefits and risks with your healthcare provider.

What is melanoma, and how can it be prevented?

Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that originates in melanocytes. Prevention includes minimizing UV exposure, wearing sunscreen, avoiding tanning beds, and regularly checking your skin for unusual moles or growths.

Is sunscreen enough to prevent skin cancer?

While sunscreen is a crucial part of skin cancer prevention, it should be used in conjunction with other measures like wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding peak sun hours to provide comprehensive protection.

Written by Aharon Tsaturyan, MD