Melanoma

May is Melanoma awareness month. So I thought that I would do my part and make you more aware of what the fact are, just in case you didn't know. Some of them I find crazy and I am sure that you will too. The first time I met with the surgeon even before introducing herself she asked if I had ever had a really bad sunburn? My question was "A?" While holding up 1 finger...."yes a really bad sunburn?" Holding up just one finger. My answer-"I was kid in the 80's growing up in Southern California." I can't even count the number of sunburns (even really bad ones) that I have had. I love the sun-The sun sucks! I find myself or use to find myself loving the sun. Cover those nasty spider veins right? Tan skins helps that. Plus don't we all just want that little bit of a healthy glow? Not anymore I don't. Ever see people that oh so orange? Now I just shake my head over it. I have heard other people say "don't you just want to walk up and slap them for not getting it". The sad thing, we don't realize how bad it is....it is just skin cancer right? Cut it off and you are done? NOPE. Farther down you see some facts about it. Australia is trying to ban the use of Tanning beds to minors. I am not sure if I am for or against this. I have heard the argument....make them aware and then give them a choice. Anyone ever had to sign the paper that they are aware of the risk before entering a tanning bad? I have....the problem with that is that NO ONE GETS IT. As a society we just don't understand those risks that are spelled out for us. We need more awareness. People seem to shy aware from it. Famous people have died from Melanoma.....let's talk about Bob Marley....ask someone what he died from and if the person knows anything about Bob you will most likely be told "brain cancer"....well nope...it was cancer in his brain....it was Melanoma that started on his foot and then because he didn't take care of it, it did end up in his brain. So to keep this from getting any longer...just one last thing...all of my friends....we all know that we hate the little facebook status post about "if you know someone who has or has had cancer....". I am asking that you fill someone in, or spread the word somehow. Help me bring a bit of awareness to this cancer. Just one person maybe? Did you know that there are times when doctors say "I wish I could tell you that this was breast cancer, instead I am saying it is Malignant Melanoma." Can you believe that it is better to have breast cancer than melanoma????? We are so much more aware of Breast Cancer....just a bit of awareness would help. Don't you think. Now I am not saying that having Breast Cancer is not scary, and that people don't die from it, it is just more treatable. There is more awareness for it. THANKS! in advance.


Here are some facts about it from melanoma.org.

• Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US.


• Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Every hour a person dies from melanoma.


• Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the US and worldwide.


• Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including eyes, scalp, hands and feet.


• Melanoma is most common in men over the age of 50; in from of colon, prostate, and lung cancer. (Funny we hear a lot about those cancers don't we?)


• In ages 15-29, melanoma is the second most common cancer.


• The incidence of people under 30 developing melanoma is increasing faster than any other demographic group, soaring by 50% in women since 1980.


• Today 1 in 58 people will develop melanoma. It is estimated that this year there will be 68,720 new cases and 8,650 people will die from melanoma.


• Melanoma can develop on anyone-no matter their age, sex or race.


• The majority of melanoma is caused by exposure to UV light and sunlight.


• It takes only one blistering sunburn, especially at a young age, to more than double a person's chance of developing melanoma later in life.


• Exposure to tanning beds before the age of 30 increases a person's risk of developing melanoma by 75%, and younger people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to develop melanoma than people who have never used them. Occasional use of tanning beds triples their chances.


• The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer reclassified tanning devices into the highest cancer risk category (carcinogenic to humans).


• Unlike all other cancers, melanoma is visible on the skin, making it easier to detect in the early stages.


• Most melanoma is curable in the early stages with an 90% survival rate.