Can
I get on a soap box for one minute? I promise it will be worth my rant to read
this post. Summer is here, which means pool days, boating trips, wilderness
hikes, beach vacations and many BBQ’s! It also means lots of exposure to the
intense summer sun. I was diagnosed with skin cancer (melanoma) about 2 years
ago so protecting against the dangers of the harsh rays is something that I am
passionate about. I am thankful to be cancer free now but that doesn’t mean I
remain ignorant and ignore my health concerns. I want you to enjoy everything
summer has to offer but I also want you to be smart and wear sunscreen. That’s
all I’m asking- lather up your favorite Banana Boat, coconut smelling sun
lotion. A couple applications of at least SPF 15 (do not go lower than that)
during your summer picnic will do the trick. Ladies, I know having beautiful
tan skin is a summer must. I understand and I’m right there with you, however
you can still get that summer bronze through a low grade SPF (i.e. SPF 15). You
can read more about different sun screens, types of skin cancer and my cancer
story in my previous post Summer Sun Protection.
What I
really want to encourage ya’ll to do this summer is get screened. There are
many free skin cancer screenings that happen in most cities and it’s very
important that everyone checks their skin regularly. Early detection is crucial
and can be the number one reason skin cancer diagnoses are cured. I know this
is true for me. If I had not had my “concerning” mole removed, it could have
developed into something much more serious. I know from experience how much
skin cancer sucks- I want to protect you from what I had to go through. I don’t
mean to be a Debbie Downer, but trust me- hearing the truth about the dangers
of the summer sun now will be much less of a downer than actually getting
cancer.
Do me a
favor, ok? Be wise this summer and put on sunscreen. Also, please take
advantage of the free screenings in your area- it could save your life.
Here are the resources to find the
screenings in your area
The Skin Cancer Foundation and Rite Aid are providing free
skin screenings in a mobile unit through
The American Academy of Dermatology as a locator for you to
find free screenings in your state.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery also offers a
locator for free screenings.
~Er
Patios in the summer; it’s what we do!
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