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Attention News/Health Editors:
Moderate-to-severe acne has significant emotional impact on quality
of life, yet one-third of sufferers are not seeking treatment, says
national survey
TORONTO, June 24 /CNW/ - What are young Canadians thinking about on a
daily, if not hourly, basis? If you guessed ``sex'', guess again. It's acne!
This was one of the findings of a national survey of 1,117 Canadians between
the ages of 15 and 24 who have acne. The survey was conducted by Pollara
Research of Toronto.
Fifty-eight per cent of young Canadians with moderate-to-severe acne
report that they think about their acne at least once a day, if not more often
-- some hourly and some ``always''. Despite this, very few have actually
sought medical help to ask about treatment. Two-thirds (65 per cent) have
never visited a dermatologist, including 31 per cent who have never sought any
kind of professional medical help at all.
The survey found that acne has a significant emotional impact on many
areas of a young person's life:
- 52 per cent of moderate-to-severe acne sufferers say that acne
affects their ability to socialize with friends
- 49 per cent say that the condition affects their ability to take
leadership roles at school or work
- 52 per cent are reluctant to go away for the weekend or holidays
- 49 per cent are self-conscious about eating outside of their home
When asked if they could describe the way acne makes them feel, responses
ranged from embarrassed, self-conscious or having low self-esteem (37 per
cent); thinking they look disgusting and ugly (11 per cent); and frustrated (6
per cent).
``I'm so glad I got to see a dermatologist because we found a treatment
that really worked for me,'' said Jennifer Whitsitt, 16, from Whitby, Ontario
who suffered from moderate acne. ``I was really self-conscious when I had
acne. I felt my acne was what people saw when they looked at me. I didn't want
to go to school or dances or places where other teenagers were. I cut my hair
even though the style didn't suit me, so I could hide more of my pimples.''
Among the moderate-to-severe respondents, nearly one-quarter (24 per
cent) have suffered from acne for more than five years and 40 per cent between
two and five years. Thirteen per cent don't think their acne will ever go
away.
``Young people are suffering unnecessarily and may be at genuine risk of
permanent scarring -- both emotional and physical. If a person is anxious or
frustrated about their moderate to severe acne, they should ask their family
physician to refer them to a dermatologist because acne can be successfully
treated and sometimes completely cured,'' says Dr. Karen Scully, Assistant
Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton,
Ontario. ``Parents should be on the look-out for these self-esteem issues and
get their kids help.''
According to Dr. Scully, a person should see a dermatologist when his or
her current treatment (either non-prescription or prescription) is not
clearing their acne to their satisfaction; the acne is severe; it is
interfering with their quality of life; or acne scars have begun to appear.
When asked if they had acne scars, more than half (53 per cent) of
moderate-to-severe respondents in the survey said they already did. When asked
if they thought the scars would go away, 46 per cent said ``never''.
Myths and misconceptions
Dr. Scully believes that common myths and misconceptions about acne may
contribute to the problem. When asked what they thought caused acne, less than
one-third (29 per cent) of moderate-to-severe acne sufferers were able to
correctly identify increased skin oil production. Many thought the cause was
eating junk food (39 per cent) or poor hygiene (24 per cent).
``It's disturbing to see that these myths and misconceptions persist,
because they contribute to low self esteem and may be part of the reason why
so many do not seek medical help. They think it is their fault and they think
it is hopeless,'' says Dr. Scully. ``Contrary to popular belief, acne is not
caused by poor hygiene. In fact, over-aggressive cleansing can irritate the
skin and make the acne worse. Also, there is no scientific evidence to connect
acne and diet. Neither chocolate, french fries nor greasy foods cause acne.''
Heredity and hormones play a role in causing acne. The hormones that
cause physical maturation also cause the oil glands to produce more oil. In
people who develop acne, skin cells shed, stick together and accumulate more
than in people who do not develop acne. When cells mix with the increased
amount of oil being produced, they can plug the opening of the pores of the
skin. As more oil continues to be produced, the pores swell, forming acne.
Many treatment options
According to Dr. Scully, there are many treatment options for people with
acne, starting with gentle topical creams and gels and ranging to topical and
oral antibiotics, and other prescription medications.
When the existing treatments do not work, physicians move to stronger
options. Accutane(R) is considered the most effective treatment available for
moderate-to-severe acne and is the only product that can provide long-term
remission, or cure, in the majority (up to 80 per cent) of patients treated.
Not happy with current treatments
Many of the moderate-to-severe respondents seem to have given up trying
to find a solution too quickly. Only one-quarter (24 per cent) of
moderate-to-severe respondents found their treatment to be very effective. The
majority found them to be only somewhat effective (55 per cent) or not
effective at all (21 per cent). In fact, almost two-thirds (60 per cent) think
there are acne products more effective than what they are currently using.
Just over half (52 per cent) of the moderate-to-severe respondents are
using prescription medications to treat their acne. Ten per cent aren't using
anything at all. The rest are either using over-the-counter products,
cleansers or soap. Some even cited using unconventional and ineffective
treatments such as baking soda, rubbing alcohol and toothpaste.
Of the moderate-to-severe acne sufferers who are taking prescription
medications to treat their acne, 15 per cent are taking either oral or topical
antibiotics. Of those, 35 per cent have been taking antibiotics for six months
to a year, and 16 per cent have been taking them for more than two years. ``If
the results are unsatisfactory after six months, it may be time for the person
to move up to the next level of treatment. A dermatologist is the best person
to make this decision,'' says Dr. Scully.
The survey was commissioned by Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada)
in an effort to understand young Canadians' concerns and issues concerning
acne. The margin of error for the moderate-to-severe acne group, which totaled
290, is plus or minus 5.8 per cent, nineteen times out of 20.
Hoffmann-La Roche Limited is an international healthcare company
committed to the discovery and development of new and innovative medicines to
help treat human illnesses. Represented in more than 70 countries, the company
is a world leader in the research and development of innovative
pharmaceuticals, vitamins, fine chemicals and diagnostic equipment. The
company is active in a broad range of therapeutic categories which include:
dermatology, AIDS, cardiology, endocrinology, infectious diseases,
rheumatology, obesity, transplant, oncology and virology.
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For further information: or to schedule an interview with Dr. Scully, please contact: Ellen Woodger, Leigh Wagland, Karin Fleming, Veritas Communications Inc., (416) 482-2248; Josey Panetta, Manager, Corporate Communications, Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, (905) 542-5638
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