If you grew up in the 50s and 60s, you might have enjoyed the challenge of developing an intense dark-tan look added to your skin. You probably even thought that this “healthy tan” made you look like Annette Funicello or Sandra Dee from the Beach Boys’ movies. Unfortunately, like the unhealthy aspect of smoking during those same years, there was “no warning sign” posted anywhere informing you otherwise. As I soaked up the sun, whenever possible outside my college residence hall building, with a tin-foil tray placed firmly in place under my chin and with iodine added to my baby oil to increase the mighty sun’s powerful rays’ impact, I truly believed that I was engaging in a safe activity. Boy was I wrong! Now after several squamous cell skin surgeries behind me and two approaching MOHS surgeries quickly coming at me in the next few weeks, I have finally learned to “pay the piper!”
For you, Sun Citians, who are still having a difficult time of breaking this dangerous habit, this and my next newspaper column will reveal critical info on what to do when skin cancer is detected by you or your dermatologist. In fact, in today’s world, the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) put out clear and concise information warning you, your children, and your grandchildren of excessive sunbathing, especially with unprotected skin that can, sometimes, even lead to fatal melanoma cancer outcomes.
In case you truly still believe that a tan skin is a healthy skin, you could not be more wrong! Tanning increases your risk of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The Skin Cancer Foundation recently reveals that with just one indoor tanning session, before 35 years of age, an individual has a 75% increased risk of developing life-threatening melanoma skin cancer. There is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan, developed inside or outside! Tanning is actually a sign of skin damage, and can be seen early in the appearance of brown spots on the skin, the beginning evidence of DNA injury to your skin. The SCF states “Tanning is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds that causes genetic damage to cells on your outermost layer of skin. The skin tries to prevent further injury by producing melanin (the pigment that gives our skin its color) that results in its darkening – what we call a tan.” Instead, the daily wearing of sunscreen when outdoors, according to the Academy of Dermatology, “… can reduce the risk of developing melanoma by half.”
Did you know that, according to AAD, skin cancer is the most common form of all cancers, leading the way with more than 2 million Americans diagnosed yearly? The SCF informs us that “One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Worldwide, there are more skin cancer cases due to indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases due to smoking.” Skin cancer can damage all types of skin. Each time you tan, more damage is created with more genetic mutations created in the risk factor!
Next Part 2 on Skin Cancer: The description of each cancer type, how to self-examine your skin, the value of at least yearly dermatologist skin examinations, and how to prevent skin cancer dangers.
