MELANOMA

…MY PERSONAL HISTORY WITH MELANOMA…

I was diagnosed with my first melanoma at age 25. I’m 34 now; luckily, my skin cancer was caught very early, before it had deepened much or spread at all. I had what they call multiple risk factors, including excessive sun exposure during childhood and teen years (as a kid, I spent summers visiting ma grandmère française on the Côte d’Azur… lucky, but then again that’s when I got the majority of my sun exposure).I continue to get regularly checked by my dermatologist. I have lost count how many other moles I’ve since had removed (I had a lot to start out with!), and two more moles were treated as melanomas. And I now practice sun safety, avoiding excessive (or even much) sun exposure, especially between the hours of 10am and 2pm, and covering up and wearing a hat when I do venture out.

Teach your children and other young people you know the importance of sun safety.

 

…LATEST NEWS…

May 2007:
The 2007 Safe in the Sun Walk and Run is coming up! It’s on May 6. Click here for registration information. This year, I won’t be participating, but I send my positive thoughts to everyone who is walking! There are also Safe in the Sun events in other parts of the country - click here for more info.

July 2006:
Check out stories written by other teams who participated in the 2006 Melanoma Walkathon here.

MANY MANY thanks to generous friends and family who contributed towards my participation in the 2006 Safe from the Sun Walkathon sponsored by the Melanoma International Foundation. You guys rock!!!Together, we raised money towards melanoma awareness and education… and also won the Mark J. Scharke Memorial Award for Top Circle of Friends Fundraising Team!

THANKS TO THESE SUPERSTARS:
Barb
Christa
Christine
Christopher
Donna
Dona
Gerard
Jane
Jeff
Julie
Leah
Louise
Manijeh
Michelle
Pamela
Stan

For more information on why I participated, scroll down this page. The event included free skin checks, a 3K walk, freebies (sunscreen, hats, etc) and awards. (Click for larger images.)

There was even knitting time as we waited for the closing ceremonies.

Sure, you were raised to think a tanned body looks better than a pasty white one. But once you learn the facts, you realize there is no healthy tan. I hope you’ll help spread the word.

…EDUCATION…

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. There is one skin cancer death per hour. It is now considered an epidemic.

The bad news: Once melanoma spreads (or metastisizes), it is extremely difficult to cure.

The good news: If caught early, melanoma is one of the easiest cancers to cure. “When detected in its earliest stages, melanoma is highly curable.” -American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
The solution: Catch it early. This means we need to increase awareness. Individuals who learn how to check their own skin, and know what to look for, can protect themselves. Read the AAD’s Melanoma FAQ.

…SUN SAFETY…

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe in the shade. There is no healthy sun tan. It is all damage to your skin. Additionally, sun screen does not block all the rays reaching your skin, and clothing is often preferable to sun block.

The reminder “Slip, slap, slop” was developed in Australia, where skin cancer prevalence is highest in the world. SLIP on a shirt — SLAP on a hat — SLOP on some sunscreen.

Additional tips for making fun in the sun safer can be found at the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.

…RESOURCES…

American Academy of Dermatology

American Cancer Society’s Learn about Melanoma and Parents’ Guide to Skin Protection.
CDC’s Skin Cancer Questions & Answers, including relevance of the UV Index.

EPA’s SunWise Program including Sun Safety Action Steps
Melanoma Interational Foundation

National Cancer Institute’s What you need to know about melanoma. An extensive sight devoted to melanoma, what to look for, who is at risk, treatment options, and How to do a skin self-exam.

National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention

…COMMERCIAL RESOURCES…

Sun Precautions, makers of 30+ SPF clothing

Federal Trade Commission’s information on sunscreens and sun-protective clothing.