Posts Tagged Tanning
Clare’s Clique Interview and Story
I am so honored to have another touching skin cancer survivor story to share with you. I met Clare of Clare’s Clique, blog surfing and when I came across her story I knew that it deserved to be shared with all of the UV Skinz readers! I have to add that the feedback we received from last week’s Photo Story Friday was amazing–Thank You!
So, let’s get to know Clare and her Clique!…
1. How long have you been blogging? and why did you start?
Here is my cancer story:This May is the two year anniversary when I was diagnosed with malignant Melanoma. May also happens to be National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. So I thought it would be fitting to dedicate a post to this cause. Most of my close friends and family know my story. It is not something I necessarily want to re-live on the post, but considering the outcome has been positive thus far (with a few bumps along the way so to speak) I will keep it simple and as understated as it deserves to be.
When I was pregnant with Quinn I noticed a new mole on my leg. When you are as fair-skinned as I am it is easy to spot new moles. After I had Quinn I noticed the mole was extremely dark and asymmetrical. I was fortunate that I was well aware of the ABCD signs of moles: asymmetry, border, color, and diameter. But I had a newborn and honestly I didn’t have the time to worry about me. Then one morning I was watching the Today show, as I always do. They had a piece on skin cancer. It alarmed me enough to find a dermatologist and make an appointment. I was lucky enough to get in in a couple weeks as most appointments were booked several months out.
So, I trekked to the doctor with a three year old and nearly four-month old in tow along with diaper bags and all the necessities to keep the kids occupied while I had a biopsy on my questionable mole. I wasn’t nervous when the doctor mentioned taking a biopsy. Having had many moles checked over in my lifetime, I have had many moles biopsied and all the results came back normal.
We left the doctor and I was convinced I would receive a postcard in the mail indicating the results were normal and recommending a skin check in another year. You can imagine my complete shock and surprise when my doctor called me later that week. I remember checking my caller ID and seeing my doctor’s name and phone number, but again I wasn’t even remotely alarmed. Maybe he just wanted to call and let me know the results were fine. Then I checked my voice mail messages and listened to him tell me to call his cell phone when I got the message. I remember it being hard to breathe and my heart racing. What doctor gives you his personal cell phone number? I dialed carefully praying the kids would stay quiet and waited til he answered the phone. And in that moment my world came crashing down around me. I barely heard anything, but the words “malignant melanoma” and “surgery” and felt like I would dissolve on the floor right then and there. The doctor kept repeating that this was a malignancy and then he used the word “cancer”. Nothing seemed real for me at that moment.
All I knew was that I had cancer.
My body had betrayed me.
I had no idea if the cancer had metastasized and tried to think if I had any other symptoms. It was just a stupid mole. How could that little mole give me cancer? Well to make a long story even longer, I had surgery and had the tissue removed from my leg. I went back in for regular skin checks and to have the doctor assess any abnormalities in my lymph nodes every three months. Then after my year anniversary of the diagnosis I was able to go in for skin checks every six months and blood tests every year. I am healthy; I am happy. And I wanted to share my experience to make others aware of the dangers of sun exposure. I wore sunscreen quite regularly. I did not sunbathe or go to tanning salons. I was aware of the dangers of sunburns. Yet, I still became one of 62,000 people diagnosed every year with the most dangerous form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. But I am here, I am fine and I hope other people will heed my warning. Use sunscreen regularly, watch your sun exposure even when using sunscreen, and use the ABCD guide when looking at moles. And if you have any question at all, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Don’t wait until it is too late. I caught my melanoma in the earliest stages and though there is always a possibility the melanoma could return, I am diligent in knowing what to look for.
4 comments May 15, 2009
Teens and Tanning
Last week I was ’surfing the web’ and I came across many articles talking about the dangers of tanning, especially for teenagers under the age of 18. There are approximately 2.3 million teens that visit U.S. tanning beds–every year! and now new legislation may require teens to bring a doctor’s note and have a parent present in order to use indoor tanning.
I am totally with the ban on tanning salons for teenagers. Most people get 80% or more of their sun exposure by their 18th birthday. And one blistering sunburn or over exposure to tanning beds before the age of 18 increases a persons risk to develop melanoma as an adult. If this legislation is going to pass there must be more advocacy and education to urge teenagers to avoid tanning. Many agree that there is no such thing as a “safe” tan. Just like the Miss Florida story below, it will take teenagers talking to teenagers in order to persuade them to consider other alternatives to indoor tanning.
“Miss Florida Teen USA Kayla Collier was 15 when she first visited a tanning salon so the stage lights at a local pageant wouldn’t make her fair skin look ghostly white.
Later that year, as she tried on homecoming dresses, her mother noticed what looked like a scab on her back. It turned out to be skin cancer.
And though she can’t definitively link the tanning to the cancer, Collier, now 18 and healthy, won’t be back under the bulbs. (Source: News Day)”
Did you know that after only a few minutes of tanning that you could develop skin cancer? According to a study a quarter of teenagers ages 15-18 used indoor tanning last year. It is a really big step to take concerning the protection of our children against a very preventable disease. Here is a run-down of what some of the 17 states are doing;
“Florida already requires parental approval before minors can use tanning salons. If the new law passes, it would be among the strictest in the nation. Only one state, Wisconsin, bans teens 16 and under from using tanning beds, though a handful of others — California, New York and New Jersey among them — ban the under-14 crowd. At least 29 states have some regulations governing tanning by minors.
Even more restrictive proposals in Texas and Vermont would prohibit anyone under 18 from using a tanning bed without a doctor’s note.”
I want to know what you think this legislation to ban teenagers from tanning? Do you allow your teenager to tan?
I know that for sure I will not let my daughter’s tan at any age. I will always advocate for them to use an alternative to an indoor tanning salon. I’m sure they won’t really need to tan since they are bi-racial and have a brown complexion anyway. The one I really worry about is my husband. No matter what he loves to go tanning and even says it makes him happy. Whenever I give him a back rub I check his back for any abnormal moles. Early detection is key when dealing with skin cancer, but also just being smart about uv protection.
I want to leave you with a poll because I am really interested in knowing…
Thanks! I can’t wait to see the results!!
4 comments March 30, 2009
Another Satisfied Customer!
UV Skinz, from a grandmother’s heart.
I grew up in the fifties and sixties. I lived in San Diego and spent most of my free time at the (of course) BEACH! In those days nothing was ever mentioned about skin cancer, age spots, or any other of the negative “benefits” that you received from direct sun rays. Of course all of the tanning products preached about “what a great tan you would get” using their products. We all bought into those wonderful pictures of tanned perfect bodies seen in the ads.
Now that I am in my sixties I am seeing “dot-to-dot” spots all over my once perfect tanned body and worry all of the time about skin cancer forming from over indulgence in the sun as a young woman.
UV Skinz are an answer to prayer. Not only can my grandchildren be out in the sun without the constant slathering of skin products to protect their brand new skin, but they look so cool in this great outerwear. They put their “skinz” on automatically whenever they go outside in the sun. I am so grateful that these products are available and so environmentally friendly.
It is never too late to protect your skin and I wear my UV Skinz outside when subjected to damaging rays. Swimming has become such a popular exercise and activity for adults. UV Skinz are great to wear both in the water and out. Fits like a glove and not heavy.
From great appreciation for this product,
Paulina S.
Sonora, California
Add comment March 28, 2009
The EPA and a rant
The Environmental Protection Agency (in the 1984 classic “Ghostbusters” Walter Peck was a representative of the EPA and was responsible for shutting down the Ghostbusters’ containment facility’s power grid causing all hell to break loose, but that is neither her nor there) has devoted a section of their website to sun safety, it is called SunWise. The site is full of fun activities that promote sun safety and provides tips on how to be safe in the sun. They provide great information such as:
“The indoor tanning industry has an estimated revenue of $5 billion per year.
Several studies have shown that exposure to tanning beds before the age of 35 increases melanoma risk by 75% (range=35% to 126%).”
This statistic reminds me of the Greek myth of Narcissus where in a young man falls in love with himself and ultimately dies from it. The myth has several different versions, but here is the last lines of a brief synopsis of a Roman version pulled from Wikipedia for those who aren’t familiar:
Blah blah blah Nymph. Blah blah hunting. Blah blah…”[Narcissus] became thirsty and went to drink from a stream, but he wouldn’t touch the water for fear of damaging his reflection, so he eventually passed away, staring at his own reflection.”
Many people today are so wrapped up in how they look that they put their own health aside just to get a few extra looks. Tanning beds, crash diets and cosmetic surgery are just a few examples of how people unnecessarily put their bodies at risk for superficial ends. Hundreds of years ago the tale of Narcissus was created to warn the generations to come about the dangers of vanity, today we need a proper retelling more than ever.
Add comment May 29, 2008
