First Sun Safety Book For Children Released This Month
A Book On Skin Cancer Prevention Reaching Children Soon
PROVO, Utah — Skin cancer prevention is no longer just for adults; young children will now have an opportunity to read how to keep themselves protected. After a two year process, the first children's skin cancer prevention book will be available Oct. 11 to students, teachers and parents everywhere.
]]>First Sun Safety Book For Children Released This Month
A Book On Skin Cancer Prevention Reaching Children Soon
PROVO, Utah — Skin cancer prevention is no longer just for adults; young children will now have an opportunity to read how to keep themselves protected. After a two year process, the first children's skin cancer prevention book will be available Oct. 11 to students, teachers and parents everywhere.
The sun safety book, Skin Sense is a publication focused on children's awareness and prevention of skin cancer and sun damage. The book has been written for children ag's three to seven and is hoped to reach young children across the nation. Along with preschools and daycares, the book will be sent to skin cancer foundations across the United States.
"Eighty percent of one's lifetime's sun damage occurs before age 18," said Danielle M. White, co-founder and president of The Cancer Crusaders Organization. "We wanted to create a way for parents to understand why it is so important to protect their kids from skin cancer."
White collaborated with Lori Glickman of Florida, a volunteer with The Cancer Crusaders Organization, to create this book for elementary students. Glickman, a licensed clinical social worker and preschool teacher, offered to do the project because she knew the importance of teaching the children now. Glickman's daughter, Claudia, was recruited as the illustrator of the book to reach the children more effectively.
"Children have a great ability that once they understand a principle, it becomes a lifetime habit," White said. "This book will teach them, and hopefully skin cancer prevention will become a lifetime habit." White, the author of ONLY SKIN DEEP?, wrote the Afterword for Skin Sense.
The book will be available through the The Cancer Crusaders Organization to anybody who wants to increase awareness. All funds from the book are going toward the continued development of skin cancer education programs for youth. The book will hopefully be used by teachers as a part of school and community curriculum.
"I'd like to see all the preschools, daycares and elementary schools have a copy of the book," White said. "The kids could check Skin Sense out [of the library] and show their parents what they learned about skin cancer prevention. We want sun safety to become a family affair, and save lives from skin cancer, especially since the risk for skin cancer is so high."
# # #
Press Contact:
Laura Bird, PR Intern
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
]]>Yet, who is to say that only non-profit organizations can contribute, with pure intent, to the fight against cancer? There are a few companies out there who are generously donating time, money, energy, resources and even their heart and soul toward protecting people, especially youth, from the world's most common cancer.
I would like to give a huge heartfelt round-of-applause two to such companies:
First, I would like to thank SKYShades of Florida. I recently received an email that told me about the wonderful contributions SKYShades has made toward building shade structures for Florida elementary schools.
(Read more at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com)
Danielle M. White
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
info@cancercrusaders.org
Written by Lori Glickman, a licensed clinical social worker and mother of three young daughters, Skin Sense is the first children's book (illustrated by a Glickman's 10-year-old daughter) that discusses the importance of lifelong sun safety and includes fun, interactive tips for year-round sun protection.
]]>Written by Lori Glickman, a licensed clinical social worker and mother of three young daughters, Skin Sense is the first children's book (illustrated by a Glickman's 10-year-old daughter) that discusses the importance of lifelong sun safety and includes fun, interactive tips for year-round sun protection.
"This book was written with hopes of generating the desire in young children to want to protect their skin from the sun and for parents and teachers to want to protect their children," Glickman says. "Each child who is properly protected daily from the sun everyday is one less potential skin cancer statistic in our future.”
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80% of one's lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18. Skin Sense addresses the urgent need for parents, caregivers, and educators to teach children how to properly protect themselves from over-exposure to harmful UV rays. This book is an essential tool in the constant effort to teach children about sun safety and to significantly reduce the number of young adults in their 20s and 30s being diagnosed with melanoma--the deadliest form of skin cancer.
This is what dermatologist Katherine Bell of Houston, Texas had to say about Skin Sense:
" [Skin Sense is] An accurate and important book, which grabs the attention of its young audience and impels them to want to protect their skin.”
For more information about Skin Sense, check out my blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com and/or send an email to info@cancercrusaders.org
Be Sun Savvy,
Danielle M. White
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
So, here are some additional facts about sunscreens to reemphasize the the importance of regulating sunscreens; ensuring that manufacturers produce only the best, most effective sunscreens to provide optimum protection against ultraviolet radiation, and holding them accountable to the claims they make regarding the effectiveness of their sunscreen products.
Sunscreen Fact Sheet - Part II
FDA monograph and Australian sunscreen standard
(Note: The Australian standards on sunscreen efficacy are considered the strictest in the world. They require sunscreens have a minimum 5% zinc oxide and a minimum 5% titanium dioxide so as to reflect/deflect UVA and UVB rays from damaging your skin.)
What are sunscreens?
Sunscreens are products that protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). They do this by using organic chemicals that absorb light and dissipate it as heat, as well as inorganic filters (blockers) that sit on the surface of the skin and act as physical barriers; or a combination of both.
Ultraviolet Radiation
There are three types of UVR:
• UVB - primarily responsible for sunburn and suntan. Long-term exposure leads to premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.
• UVA - primarily responsible for premature aging and skin cancers like melanoma and basal cell carcinoma.
• UVC - is absorbed by the earth's atmosphere.
What protection do sunscreens provide?
SPF 30 sunscreens filter 97% of UVB rays. In Australia, broad-spectrum sunscreens must protect against 95% of UVA rays. In the United States, there is no approved evaluation of UVA protection, therefore "broad-spectrum" labeling is open to interpretation. Consumers should be educated on the ingredients that provide UVA protection. Products that contain 5% or more zinc oxide provide excellent UVA protection.
Key points about sunscreens:
• No sunscreen is entirely waterproof/sweatproof. Sunscreen should always be applied to dry skin. All sunscreens start to come off during activity, therefore it is important that sunscreen be reapplied after towel drying. Products labeled as "waterproof" in the United States have completed an 80-minute still-water bath test. Products labeled as "very water resistant" in Australia retain their SPF after 240 minutes in moving water. Australia does not allow the use of "waterproof" or "sweatproof," and the FDA has asked for voluntary removal of such labeling on sunscreens here. In reality, it should be a mandatory removal of such labeling because it misleads consumers! (Note: Blue Lizard sunscreen says "very water resistant" by Australian standards).
• No sunscreen provides "all-day protection." As stated previously, chemical absorbers work by absorbing light, but they can be photo (sun)unstable. For example, Avobenzone loses 36% of its effectiveness within the first 15 minutes of sun exposure. Inorganic filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) adhere to the skin but can be removed during towel drying. Australia does not allow the use of "all-day protection." Moreover, the FDA has asked for voluntary removal of this label claim. This is why it is so important to reapply sunscreen. Not only does your skin, acting akin to a sponge, reach its saturation point after about two hours thus requiring another layer of sunscreen to be applied, reapplication helps maximize your sunscreen efficacy.
• High SPF sunscreens do not necessarily offer broader or better protection. SPF only indicates the amount of UVB protection a product provides and does not indicate how much if any UVA protection is provided. The consumer needs to understand that the specific formulation of the sunscreen determines the amount of protection provided. Zinc Oxide products (5% or higher) provide very photostable UVB and UVA protection. High SPF products (i.e. SPF 45, 55, 60) typically contain high levels of organic chemicals that can increase the potential for irritation and absorption, especially in children. Higher is not always better, which is why Australia limits SPF label claims to 30. If you consider that a SPF 20 is preventing 95 out of every 100 UV protons from penetrating your skin, than a SPF provides excellent protection. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30.
• No sunscreen offers complete 100% protection against the sun. Therefore products using the term "sunblock" are a misnomer as they allow some UV to penetrate the skin. A product that contains zinc oxide does provide blocking (reflective) capabilities but even zinc oxide, unless applied as a paste, allows a little UV light to penetrate the skin.
With that, it is important to understand how ultraviolet radiation works so as to further illustrate the seriousness of UV exposure (especially from tanning), it's direct link to an increased risk for skin cancer (and the fact that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world), hence the importance of sun safety and proper use of a quality SPF 30 sunscreen.
Furthermore, I have (with the help of the Environmental Protection Agency, the AAD, and ARPANZA and my good friend, Kathleen, a physicist at the University of Nova Scotia) compiled a list of common questions people ask about ultraviolet radiation, how it works, and its link to skin cancer:
Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation - Q&A
Q. What is solar ultraviolet radiation?
A. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is defined as the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between 100 nanometers (nm) and 400nm. Ultraviolet radiation is classified by wavelength into three regions: UVA - Ultraviolet radiation in the range 315nm to 400nm is thought to contribute to premature aging and wrinkling of the skin and has recently been implicated as a cause of skin cancer. UVB - Ultraviolet radiation in the range 280nm to 315nm is more dangerous than UVA and has been implicated as the major cause of skin cancers, sun burns, and cataracts. UVC - Ultraviolet radiation in the range 100nm to 280nm is extremely dangerous but does not reach the earth’s surface due to absorption in the atmosphere by ozone.
Q. How are people exposed to UVR?
A. Solar UVR is the single most significant source of UVR and can reach a person on the ground from three sources, directly from the sun, scattered from the open sky and reflected from the environment. This means that even if a person is shaded from the direct sun they can still receive substantial UVR exposure from the open sky. Also some ground and building surfaces are quite reflective to UVR including white paint, concrete and metallic surfaces. These surfaces can reflect UVR onto the skin and eyes. Reflective surfaces can reduce the effect of protective measures. There are also many types of artificial UVR sources, some of which emit high levels of UVR. Arc welders used in industry produce an intense UVR emission and workers exposed to welding radiation may suffer similar health effects to workers with over exposure to solar UVR. There are many other forms of artificial UVR sources such as fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor, metal halide and quartz halogen lamps used in industry, offices and in the home.
Q. How is UVR measured?
A. Broadband UV biometers and pyranometers are generally used to measure or monitor solar UVR. These instruments measure global solar UVR received on a horizontal surface from the entire hemisphere of the sky. Solar radiation includes both UVR transmitted directly and scattered UVR from the atmosphere, so the design of these instruments ensures measurement of both direct and diffuse radiation. These instruments can also be used to monitor changes in ozone levels and cloud cover effects by measuring changes in UVR irradiation levels.
Q. What are the effects of exposure to UVR?
A. The major organs at risk from exposure to UVR are the skin and eyes as the penetration depth of UVR is very short. Ultraviolet radiation can be produced by various artificial sources but for most people the sun is the predominant source of UVR exposure. For outdoor workers without adequate protection or control measures the levels of solar UVR may exceed the generally accepted exposure limits. Those who have been over-exposed to UVR may be unaware of their injury as UVR cannot be seen or felt and does not produce an immediate reaction. Over-exposure to UVR can cause sunburn, skin damage and skin cancer. The most obvious short-term effect of over-exposure to UVR is sunburn. The more UVR exposure, the worse the sunburn becomes. A person’s cumulative exposure to UVR along with the number of severe sunburns they have received, especially during childhood, increases their risk of developing skin cancer. Sun exposure causes the outer layers of the skin to thicken and long-term exposure can cause skin to wrinkle, sag and become leathery. Melanoma, the least common of the skin cancers but the most dangerous, may be related to severe exposure to solar UVR at an early age. Malignant melanomas may appear without warning as a dark mole or a dark “spot” on the skin. UVR exposure also places our eyes at risk of photokeratitis, photoconjunctivitus, ocular melanoma, and cataracts. Cataracts is one of the most common types of eye damage in Australia. Cataracts is the clouding of the lens of the eye, which is responsible for focusing light and producing sharp images. Without intervention, cataracts can lead to blindness.
Q. How can I reduce my risk from UVR exposure?
A. Increasing public awareness and interest in UV protection is due in part to the requirements for occupational protection of outdoor workers as well as the provision of UVR protection for the recreational market. Behavior outdoors can significantly affect a person’s solar UVR exposure and use of items of personal protection can provide a substantial reduction in the UVR dose received. Many forms of personal protection are available to reduce a person’s exposure to solar UVR. The best protection is to avoid peak hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 AM when the sun's rays are most intense, coupled with proper sun protection year-round (even on cloudy and cold days). When outdoors, wear sun protecting clothing with good body coverage (that is rated at UPF 30-50+), a wide-brimmed hat, UV protective sunglasses and a SPF 15+ sunscreen. Over recent years interest has extended to shade structures and the UVR protection offered by commonly used materials such as shadecloth, plastic roofing materials, glass and window tinting films, even specially manufactured sun protective clothing.
Q. What is the UV Index?
A. Some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable; however, too much could be dangerous. Overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause immediate effects such as sunburn and long-term problems such as skin cancer and cataracts. The UV Index, which was developed by the National Weather Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities to prevent overexposure to the sun’s rays. The UV Index provides a daily forecast of the expected risk of overexposure to the sun. The Index predicts UV intensity levels on a scale of 1 to 11+, where low indicates a minimal risk of overexposure and 11+ means an extreme risk. Calculated on a next-day basis for every ZIP code across the United States, the UV Index takes into account clouds and other local conditions that affect the amount of UV radiation reaching the ground in different parts of the country.
UV Index Number Exposure Level
0 to 2 Low
3 to 5 Moderate
6 to 8 High
8 to 10 Very High
11+ Extreme
(Note: You can learn more about ultraviolet radiation and see graphics illustrating the aforementioned concepts in my book ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources).
I will continue to address the issue of proper sunscreen usage, sun safety, tanning, and other proven-effective methods of skin cancer prevention. With 90-95% of skin cancers resulting from over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning, skin cancer is largely preventable. Yet, in order to prevent skin cancer we must take proactive measures to protect ourselves and youth from it. The media and society, as a whole, may not recognize the seriousness of skin cancer and how incidence is growing at epidemic rates; however, I will continue to do bring this issue to light in hopes to not only raise awareness but convince people to protect themselves. We have a responsibility to do what is necessary to protect ourselves and others from skin cancer, especially when we can largely PREVENT it. The first step is proper education about skin cancer prevention. And the first step in preventing skin cancer (or, at least, significantly reducing our risk) is protecting our skin from over-exposure to damaging, even carcinogenic (cancer-causing) ultraviolet radiation. In turn, one of the most effective methods of protecting our skin from UV exposure is proper year-round use of a quality sunscreen.
Summarily, I'm not saying that we must become hermits and avoid going outdoors. I was raised in Southern California, and now live in Utah -- two places that enjoy the sun and outdoors. (Incidentally, two places with high incidences of skin cancer). I am saying, however, that we must be smart and SAFE about the sun (and avoid tanning beds) by properly protecting our skin from ultraviolet radiation. Perhaps, it is easier said than done. Or, perhaps, we need to be willing to take the proper precautions; to see skin cancer as a real disease that can kill (just like any other cancer) and that we can, perhaps, save someone from having to die from it -- even ourselves.
Keep those questions, comments, and emails coming, folks. I enjoy hearing from you. It helps me be a better skin cancer educator; to know what topics to discuss on the Blog, how to develop effective educational messages and tools, and better serve both the skin cancer community, as a whole, and most especially - YOU.
Your SunSavvy friend and advocate,
Danielle & The Cancer Crusaders Organization
"I use sunscreen everyday and always recommend it to my patients."
- Dr. Roger Ceilley,Iowa dermatologist
and past president,American Academy of Dermatology
*FOR patient photos, informational links, more information, or to post comments, please visit my Blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogpspot.com.
]]>Many insurance companies do not cover melanoma skin cancer surgery or treatments, and if you have ever had a loved one battle cancer you know the devastation chemo can cause physically, emotionally, and even financially.
]]>Many insurance companies do not cover melanoma skin cancer surgery or treatments, and if you have ever had a loved one battle cancer you know the devastation chemo can cause physically, emotionally, and even financially.
That said, The Cancer Crusaders Organization is helping the MIF raise money to provide support for families been touched by melanoma--the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer.
Please take a few second to read their story, and lend your support:
"Joe* and Mary* are two teachers in their thirties with three young children. They never dreamed that they would be dealing with a serious illness in the prime of their lives. Joe was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma and immediately found himself in the fight of his life. After dealing with various chemo regimens locally, he wasn’t getting better. His best chance for the state of the art treatment options was to go to a top melanoma treatment center, a plane trip away. His wife called the hotline and discussed available treatments and how to make Joe’s fight worthy of their efforts. A hotline staffer at the Melanoma International Foundation listened to Mary’s fears and offered her comfort and support. Within days, arrangements were made for a flight to match his appointment at the treatment center and a comfortable hotel room nearby was booked. Joe is now equipped with the best resources to fight his disease and his specialist is working with the local oncologist to try another approach to fight his melanoma. Just as important, Joe and Mary have found constant support at MIF to answer their questions, listen to their fears and work with them as they travel on this difficult journey."
Regardless of your budget, you can make a difference for these patients. Please review the information below and see if any of the tax deductible donation levels match your ability to help us help others. (Please see my Blog for support and donation details: at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com)
Thank you for support! Every bit helps saves lives from this deadly, but PREVENTABLE disease!
Yours in the fight,
Danielle
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
info@cancercrusaders.org
TO find out how to send a donation, see patient pictures, and comment please visit my Blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com. Thank you.
]]>I received an email from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently that included an article that headlined "Palm Beach Tan® In-Lobby Video, 'Life Needs Color', Wins Two Prestigious Telly Awards". My initial reaction was disbelief - We are applauding indoor tanning and encouraging its use? WHAT?! Granted, the awards were given likely based on advertising creativity and commercial broadcasting. Nevertheless, the fact we are promoting the use of tanning beds without taking into consideration the dangers associated with it is, to me, not only irresponsible but perhaps even morally questionable. Is it not unethical to perpetuate the illusion of a “safe tan” when, in fact, it is biological impossible to achieve a “safe tan”? Regardless of whether or not a tan is considered ideal, it doesn’t mean that it is safe. Because, well, it’s not safe; rather, it’s quite the opposite.
I am then reminded of a 15-year-old girl who, during a public meeting in Northern Utah last year (when discussing legislation to limit minors' use of indoor tanning beds) unabashedly exclaimed:
“It's my right be tan [...] At least I will die beautiful!"
(I could not help but think, “It’s your right to die young?”)
Truth be told, not everyone who has used a tanning bed will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Yet, it is a FACT that exposure to ultraviolet radiation, over time, has cumulative effects including weakening of the elasticity in your skin, expedited aging and wrinkling and freckling, weakening of the immune system and MELANOMA. In fact, ultraviolet radiation has been identified as a known carcinogen, meaning that it’s cancer-causing. UV rays have cumulative effects on a variety of biological systems one of which is a heightened propensity toward developing melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer.
After working with the skin cancer community over the past several years, and teaching thousands of high school and college students, it never ceases to frighten me when I hear statements such as the one above; to learn that many young adults really don't think that skin cancer is a serious health concern not to mention that it can actually kill.
I am reminded of Charlie Guild. Charlie was 24 and preparing to go to medical school when she succumbed to malignant melanoma. Her mother, Valerie, with whom I worked on getting legislation regulating minors' use of tanning beds passed here in Utah (Valerie really championed this bill, which passed earlier this year), once told me: "I can still remember hearing Charlie tell her friends 'it's just skin cancer [...] no one really dies from skin cancer'." Well, Charlie had been diagnosed with the deadliest form of skin cancer -- melanoma, which is known as one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.
Often, when I'm giving a skin cancer presentation or hosting a training seminar, I mention melanoma warriors such as Charlie, Colette, and Scarlet -- bright and beautiful young women who, like me, were in their 20s but melanoma came and them of their future. I also share the stories of melanoma survivors such as 24-year-old MaryAnn Gerber and Brittany Leitz, the former Miss Maryland, and former professional body-building-turned-five-time-melanoma-champion Robin Lawrence. Robin, who lives in fear she won't see her daughter graduate high school, has spoken candidly about her quasi love affair with tanning beds while in her 20s, and how that cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation has contributed to hundreds (and counting) of biopsies.
“The question I kept asking myself was 'Why me?’” Lawrence says. "After looking back on my life, I realized I had only myself to blame. But I can honestly say that when I was growing up, I knew very little about the dangers of tanning or the threat of skin cancer. It's so ironic that my pursuit of a healthy, active lifestyle was what would eventually come back years later to threaten my life." (Learn more about Robin in ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources.)
I think about these young women, who thought tanning was safe, and have since had a brush with an aggressive and lethal (but preventable) cancer. I share their stories with other young adults while giving a seminar on skin cancer prevention, sun safety, and skin care. Yet, I wonder how much of this information actually sticks; how much of it stays with my students? I can see their shock and sorrow when they see pictures of these melanoma warriors (such as Joanne pictured above) and even cry when they hear about the struggle and tragedy these melanoma warriors faced. Yet, I wonder how long those feelings last. They are reconsidering using a tanning bed now, because the image of this woman who has battled melanoma and the story of a 28-year-old mother of brand-new baby have touched their hearts and opened their eyes, but will they remember? Will it be enough to change their behavior?
I wonder –
What’s it going to take to convince people? I realize that people have a choice, but if I could effectively emphasis the seriousness of this disease; that it is preventable, but we must take proactive steps to try and protect ourselves from it and, if we don’t, we pay the ultimate price – an untimely death. If only I could bridge the gap between awareness and action; how do I make young people realize that tanning isn’t worth the risk?
These are a few (of the many) questions I wrestle with each day as I strive to develop new, more effective ways of teaching skin cancer prevention.
Generally, I prefer not to use scare tactics; rather utilize the personal touch and focus on real people, their emotions, their values, and their relationships. Hence, I share the stories of real people who have suffered melanoma and their personal battles with this horrible, devastating (yet PREVENTABLE) cancer.
However, I remember how the pictures of disfigured melanoma patients dramatically affected one particular young woman during a skin cancer prevention I hosted with Dr. Glen Bowen of Huntsman Cancer Institute last year –
As a former pageant girl, I invited the then Miss Utah Julia Bachison (a good friend of my co-founder, Natalie Johnson-Hatch, also a former Miss Utah) to be our Mistress of Ceremony; our event hostess. In addition to giving a presentation on skin cancer, we also celebrating the passing of a piece of legislation regarding sun safety education here in Utah, and wanted the "Queen of Utah” to kick off our event. Julia was gracious enough to stay for the entire event and listen to Dr. Bowen's presentation on skin cancer -- a presentation that squelched any desire she had to use a tanning bed again. Dr. Bowen's presentation featured pictures of patients who, because of skin cancer, suffered severe disfiguration. Many of these patients used tanning beds and the cumulative of ultraviolet radiation led to a battle with skin cancer. One patient lost an eye due to ocular melanoma. It broke my heart to know that so many of these people could have avoided a brush with melanoma, if only they knew about proper sun safety, the dangers of tanning, and the importance of dermatologic health. Julia, on the other hand, reacted somewhat differently to these "graphic" photos. She shuttered and gasped at the sight of these patients, even buried her face into my shoulder and vowed "I will never use a tanning bed again!" Julia was scheduled to compete at Miss America the following week, where the golden bronze look is coveted. Yet, Julia chose to follow in the footsteps of her friend and mentor - her favorite Miss Utah Natalie Camille Johnson the Skin Cancer Crusader who went to Miss America without tan. Julia did sport the bronze courtesy of a sunless tanning mousse, not a tanning bed, and won the preliminary Lifestyles and Fitness Award (aka "the swimsuit award"). The images of real people suffering from a real disease - PREVENTABLE cancer - had a profound and lasting effect on Julia. She was convinced that tanning is, in fact, dangerous; she realized that it is certainly not worth sporting a so-called "healthy glow" to put herself at risk for cancer. As Julia put it:
"It is ultimately self-defeating. You're tanning to look good, but it can later cause premature aging and, if you're diagnosed with skin cancer it can cause severe disfiguration and even kill you!"
And that's the bottom-line. Tanning does increase one's risk for melanoma skin cancer and melanoma can – and does – kill. In fact, melanoma kills another person in the U.S. every hour.
BUT IT IS PREVENTABLE!!!
Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but it is important to emphasize and re-emphasize that skin cancer is PREVENTABLE. Personally, my stream of logic is: If you can eliminate (or significantly reduce) your risk for cancer than by all means do it, especially when the preventative measures are as simple as: AVOIDING TANNING BEDS, along with monthly self-skin exams; annual visits to the dermatologist; regular (and proper) daily use of sunscreens throughout your life all-year-round; wearing UV protective wrap-around sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and protective clothing.
Is it that it's just too simple? Or is it the media inundating us with misinformation, misnomers and myths, and other mixed messages that has created a lingering cloud of confusion and disillusionment, thus making light of a very serious – and growing – issue? If so, may I suggest that youth who remain undeterred in their quest for coveted bronze-skin, to consider the source of the information you hear regarding tanning. Your board-certified dermatologist who went to medical school will tell you that there is no such thing as a safe tan. Yet, the tanning industry will use phrases such as "tanning in moderation" or "tan responsibly", which are minor attempts at issuing warnings without admitting the dangers outright. The only way to tan responsibly is to NOT TAN! Tanning beds are not viable tool for treating acne or Seasonal Affective Disorder, or any other condition. They are dangerous. The cumulative effects can lead to melanoma. So, why risk it? If simply must heed to your inner desire to surrender to the unrelenting pressure to look like Lindsey Lohan, then use a sunless tanning mousse - it won't cause premature aging and it certainly won't put you at risk for a lethal skin cancer.
Occasionally, I will receive an email from someone who accuses of me of being antagonistic toward the indoor tanning industry. And if I have been antagonistic, I apologize. Let us not fight fire with fire. If we attempt to fight extinguish a grease fire with water, we will only get burnt. (No pun intended).
I will never forget an email I received three years ago, from a tanning salon owner, who highlighted an excerpt from a newspaper article featuring my friend/co-founder's brother who, at age 21, succumbed to complications associated with a malignant melanoma. In the email they said, "The doctors killed him not the melanoma". In an attempt to deter me from discussing the dangers of tanning, I was heartbroken to read those malicious words but I was swayed; rather I was reminded that I have a great deal of work to do with regard to skin cancer prevention education. We all do.
In truth, this is not about playing sides or making anyone look bad; to attack the indoor tanning industry. This is not about hampering or hindering one's ability to make a living and run a successful business. I'm a big proponent of the entrepreneurial spirit. [Yet,]I'm an even bigger proponent of protecting and serving people; improving their overall quality of live. As the Hippocratic oath states "o practice and prescribe to the best of my ability for the good of my patients, and to try to avoid harming them" I will do what I can to help protect people, especially youth, from a preventable cancer. I’m not a doctor, but I am fiercely loyal to the dermatologists who strive all day, every day to protect their patients from skin cancer, and I remain dedicated to teaching people about it. Part of the rent I pay here on this earth is to serve others and this is one of the ways I try to serve. May I serve well, God-willing, and perhaps change someone's life for the good.
Yours in the fight against skin cancer,
Danielle
***To see pictures of patients and access links for additional info, visit my Blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com.
]]>Granted, with any talk of regulations comes controversy. The cosmetics industry fears that their interests may be crimped or hindered and retail stores worry how this may effect them, as well. In truth, however, it is absolutely vital and essential that FDA have a recognized and universally acceptable standard by which sunscreens are measured and thus providing consumers with effective protection against both UV-A and UV-Br rays, as well as accurate and clearly understandable information and, in turn, peace of mind. After all, the Australian government has issued standards regarding sunscreens. They require that sunscreens have [minimum] 5% titanium dioxide and [minimum] 5% zinc oxide so as to provide optimal broad-spectrum protection against ultraviolet radiation. So, why shouldn't the United States have standards on sunscreen, especially since melanoma -- the deadliest form of skin cancer, kills another American every 68-minutes. And, isn't it the job of the FDA to establish guidelines and standards to protect the consumers; to hold companies accountable to their consumers?
That said, I recently came across an interesting comment written by Amanda Hanley of Massachusetts regarding this very issue:
"Chief Justice John Roberts doesn't believe sunscreens need to be regulated. Apparently he has all the protection he needs -- we hear those robes offer excellent skin cancer prevention.
In the 29 years that the FDA has been wavering on sunscreen regulations, the cosmetics industry has used some pretty crazy tactics to prevent them from passing. In 2001, for example, they hired a lawyer to threaten a lawsuit. The proposed regulations, the lawyer argued, violated the first amendment.
In 2005, that lawyer took his seat as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
That's right. As recently as 2001, Justice John Roberts was lobbying on behalf of the cosmetics industry -- a fact he failed to disclose during his hearings. Not only was Justice Roberts lobbying for the cosmetics industry, but he successfully blocked regulations that may have prevented countless cases of skin cancer.
And this is the man running our Supreme Court. Doesn't it just make you feel all safe and cozy?
Hopefully, without Roberts defending them this time around, the cosmetics industry won't be able block the FDA's recently proposed sunscreen regulations. In the meantime just follow Roberts' lead for skin cancer prevention: stay inside and swing decisions to the right."
While I generally refrain from mixing politics with skin cancer crusading (skin cancer prevention ought to be about protecting people from harm, not about politics), I must admit that it baffles me to hear that a public servant, a community leader would be opposed to supporting measures that protect people and their health. Then again, when collaborating with other skin cancer crusaders on behalf of regulating minors' use of tanning beds we encountered opposition there, as well.
Needless to say, do you know where your leaders stand on issues related to skin cancer prevention, tanning beds, melanoma research, insurance and patient care, sun safety education, and sunscreens?
If you support the FDA in its efforts to ensure consumers - YOU - will have quality sunscreens that provide optimum protection, require that sunscreen manufacturers adhere to strict standards of quality and truth in advertising, and would like to know that you are "getting what you pay for", then I encourage you make your voice heard. Speaking up about issues that are near and dear to you is not being obnoxious or contentious as some of my students may sometimes think; rather, part of raising awareness for a growing yet unnecessary epidemic -- skin cancer.
Let us not engage in a battle of wits, per se and become entangled among legal jargon regarding whose self-interests are at stake. Quite frankly, I believe that sunscreen regulations would actually benefit all involved -- the cosmetics industry, retail stores and distributors, as well as consumers. It is in everyone's best interests to have regulations regarding quality sunscreens. And, truth be told, the real bottom-line is about taking steps to protect people from skin cancer. With 1.3 million Americans diagnosed with skin cancer every year, and 90-95% of those being preventable with proper sun safety precautions (such as the proper and year-round use of a SPF 15 broad-spectrum sunscreen) this issue is too important to be lost amid politics and special interests.
Skin cancer is PREVENTABLE! So, let us do all we can to work together to prevent it where/when possible. This is about saving lives from a growing yet unnecessary epidemic, right? Therefore, I encourage you to research this issue further, and to be proactive about proper sun safety and dermatologic health.
To read this in-full, get more information, and give your input, please visit my Blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com
Here's to your health,
Danielle
My recent Blog entry - Maximizing Sunscreen Efficacy, discusses what ingredients to look for, and how to ensure you're getting optimum protection. Yet, here is a list of commonly asked questions about sunscreens that many people ask:
1. Who needs to use sunscreen?
]]>My recent Blog entry - Maximizing Sunscreen Efficacy, discusses what ingredients to look for, and how to ensure you're getting optimum protection. Yet, here is a list of commonly asked questions about sunscreens that many people ask:
1. Who needs to use sunscreen?
In a word -- EVERYONE~ Regardless of skin color or skin type, everyone needs sunscreen! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Dermatology recognize six different skin types.
I. Always burns easily, never tans, is extremely sun sensitive skin. Red-headed, freckles. Irish/Scots/Welsh.
II. Always burns easily, tans minimally, is very sun sensitive skin. Fair-skinned, fair-haired, blue or green-eyed. Caucasians.
III. Sometimes burns, tans gradually to light brown, is moderately sun sensitive skin. Average skin.
IV. Burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown, is minimally sun sensitive Mediterranean-type/Caucasians.
V. Rarely burns, tans well, isn't sensitive to the sun. Middle Eastern, some Hispanics, some African-Americans.
VI. Never burns, deeply pigmented, isn't sun sensitive. African-Americans.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that, regardless of skin type, a broad-spectrum (protects against UV-A and UV-B rays) sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 should be used year-round. (Ideally SPF 30). Remember, everyone is at risk for skin cancer!
2. When should sunscreen be used?
Sunscreen should be used every day (even on cloudy and cold days) if you are going to be outside for more than 20 minutes, and should be reapplied every two hours. Daily, regular use of SPF 15 sunscreens actually allow some repair of surface-level damage to the skin (i.e, wrinkles and premature aging). It is important to properly apply sunscreen and to reapply it daily. The sun’s reflective powers are great – 17% off of sand and concrete; 80% off of water and snow. And remember that even on a cloudy day, 80% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds.
3. How much sunscreen should be used, and how often should it be applied?
Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin at least 20 minutes before going outdoors. When applying sunscreen, pay particular attention to the face, ears, hands and arms, back of the neck, and tops of the feet, and be coat the skin liberally. One ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) is the amount needed to adequetely cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Be careful to cover exposed areas completely – a missed spot could mean a patchy, painful sunburn. And don’t forget that lips get sunburned, too! Be sure to apply a lip balm that contains SPF of 15 sunscreen. Sunscreen should be re-applied every two hours, and they should be reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavily. Even so-called water resistant sunscreens may lose their effectiveness after 80 minutes in the water. Don’t forget that sun exposure occurs all the time, even while you’re taking a short walk on a cloudy day. (For children six months an older, reapply sunscreen every 1 - 1.5 hours if in the sun during the peak hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.).
4. What type of sunscreen should I use, and what ingredients should I look for?
There are so many types of sunscreen that selecting the right one can be quite confusing. Sunscreens are available in many forms including ointments, creams, gels, lotions and wax sticks. The type of sunscreen you choose is a matter of personal choice. Ideally, sunscreens should be rated at an SPF of 15 or higher (SPF 30 is the best) and provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UV-B and UV-A rays. Ingredients which provide broad-spectrum protection include; titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, benzophenones (oxybenzone), cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), sulisobenzone, salicylates,and avobenzone (Parsol 1789). (*Note: According to Australian standards, which are considered the strictest in the world, the best protection ingredients include a minimum 5% of titanium dioxide and minimum 5% of titanium dioxide).
5. Can I use the sunscreen I bought last summer, or do I need to purchase a new bottle each year? Does it lose strength?
Unless indicated by an expiration date, the FDA requires that all sunscreens be stable and at their original strength for at least three years. Though, most dermatologists and skin cancer educators recommended replacing your sunscreen every year. Keep in mind that if you are using the appropriate amount of sunscreen every day (and reapplying it) a bottle of sunscreen should not last you very long. Approximately one ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass) is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly.
6. What is the difference between UV-A and UV-B (ultraviolet) light wavelengths and will a sunscreen protect me from both?
Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays – UV-A rays and UV-B rays. The UV-B rays are the sun’s burning rays and are the primary cause of sunburn and both basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas (the two more common forms of skin cancer). UV-A rays penetrate deeper into the dermis (the base layer of the skin). UV-A are the more the more dangerous, as they can penetrate through window glass, and are primarily responsible for melanoma--the deadliest form of skin cancer. Both UV-A and UV-B rays can cause suppression of the immune system which helps to protect you against the development and spread of skin cancer. Since PABA and PABA esters only protect against UV-B rays, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that also protects against UV-A rays. Ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide extend the coverage beyond the UV-B range and into the UV-A range, thus providing broad-spectrum protection.
7. What is an SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens are rated, or classified, by the strength of their SPF. The SPF numbers on the packaging can range from as low as two to greater than 30. These numbers represent the ability of a sunscreen formula to deflect ultraviolet radiation. Yet, keep in mind, that SPF 30 is considered ideal. (Technically, sunscreens rated higher than SPF aren't molecularly more potent). If you consider that a SPF 20 is preventing 95 out of every 100 UV protons from reaching your skin, then a SPF 30 is providing about 95-98% worth of protection. The sunscreen SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on sunscreen protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin. Dermatologists strongly recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an minimum SPF 15 year-round for all skin types.
8. Does SPF 30 have twice as much sun protection as SPF 15?
SPF protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. In higher SPFs, such as an SPF of 30, 97% of sunburning rays are deflected, while an SPF 15 indicates 93% deflection. (A SPF 5 provides less than 50% protection). Note: Research reported by the AAD suggests higher SPF sunscreens (such as SPF 15 or SPF 30) are an appropriate choice for very sun sensitive individuals (skin types I and II). One study determined that skin protected by an SPF 15 sunscreen and then exposed to 15 times the minimum dose of sunlight normally required to cause redness produced 2.5 times the number of sunburn cells seen in SPF 30 protected skin with the same dose of sunlight. These results suggest that prevention of redness does not necessarily mean prevention of all sun-induced damage. More research is currently underway on the protective effects of sunscreens on different skin types.
9. What is the difference between a sunscreen and a sunblock?
Since sunscreens can now either chemically absorb UV rays, or deflect them, the term sunblock is no longer used. (The term "sunblock" is a misnomer). It’s important to find a sunscreen that offers both UV-A and UV-B (broad-spectrum) protection and includes ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
10. Is sunscreen application all I need to do to protect myself from the sun?
Because overexposure to ultraviolet light is the primary cause of melanoma, dermatologists recommend the following precautions:
• Avoid the being in the sun during the peak hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
• Seek shade whenever possible. Remember: "No shadow…seek the shade!" If your shadow is shorter than you are, the damaging rays of the sun are at their strongest and you’re likely to sunburn.
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15; apply it 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, especially when playing, gardening, swimming or doing any other outdoor activities. Note: Sunscreens should not be used to increase the time spent in intense sunlight or instead of protective clothing.
• Wear sun protective protective clothing (rated at a UPF 50+) including a wide-brimmed hat, and wrap-around UV protective sunglasses.
Note: A number of studies have confirmed that repeated sunburns substantially increase the risk for melanoma skin cancer. This is especially true for childhood sunburns because there is more time and opportunity for subsequent sun damage to lead to melanoma.
FOR MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, CHECK OUT MY BLOG AT http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com
Thank you,
Danielle M. White
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
* Note: This list was compiled by the American Academy of Dermatology with additions by The Cancer Crusaders Organization
]]>As you can guess from my Blog, the subject of skin cancer prevention frequently enters my conversations. Occasionally, I’m not the one who brings it up; a friend or colleague will ask me a question or share a personal story, thus spurring a lengthy discussion on the subject of Skin Cancer Awareness. I must admit, I don’t mind it all. In fact, it brings a smile to my face, even makes me chuckle a little inside and say a silent prayer of thanksgiving. I'm grateful that people feel comfortable approaching me with their questions, and I’m deeply humbled when they share their personal stories.(Remember, we're in this together!) You see, I’m an extremely extroverted person who thrives on interactions with others. I am my mother’s daughter; she planted within me seeds that have sprouted a genuine love of serving (and protecting) people. When my beloved mother passed away, I knew, deep down (though, at age 15, I was reluctant) that I would devote a significant part of my time, talents, and energy toward cancer crusading. And when I met my dear friend, Natalie, eight years later, I was reminded of this and I learned that while my roots were originally pink [breast cancer awareness] they are predominately orange [skin cancer awareness] (yet, the pink roots still remain). The following story is provides additional proof of this; it is a simple, yet profound reminder:
Every year in May, my fellow cancer-crusading friends and I participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Salt Lake to honor both my mother, Cindy, and Natalie’s brother, Eric. My radiant mother died from breast cancer on January 1, 1995, and Eric passed away (at age 21) due to complications associated with a malignant melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer, in May 1999. The event is our way of paying tribute to two beautiful people -- our angels.
So, May came along and we all gathered together for the Race. This year [2006] Natalie decided to name our Race for the Cure team “Team Maracaibo” in honor of Eric’s two-year Church mission to Maracaibo, Venezuela. (He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma just four days after returning home, and passed away exactly two months later). To surprise Natalie, a bunch of us bought Venezuelan T-Shirts (with pictures of my mother on lasso-necklaces). Unfortunately, Natalie was called out-of-town on business and was unable to attend the Race; however, her mother (also named Cindy) was deeply moved. I can still remember the look on her face, and the sound of her breathless gasp of emotion. It was such touching and tender moment.
After the Race, Kathleen and I (who walked it) met up with the rest of our teammates. After taking a few pictures and several rounds of hugs, Natalie’s family drove home and the rest of us decided to tour the sea of booths lined up around the Race course. It was then that this stranger with chesnut brown hair and a warm smile walked up to me and shouted “Who do you know from Venezuela?” I told her that my friend’s brother served a Church mission to Maracaibo, Venezuela and explained that we were wearing the T-shirts to pay tribute. “ [...] The Race always takes place right around the anniversary of his death, so we thought it would be nice to wear T-shirts honoring him and his mission.” It was then that this exuberant, but gentle lady asked me, “What's your friends’ brother’s name? I, too, served in Maracaibo.” When I told her that "his name was Eric Johnson", she immediately wrapped her arms around me in a big bear hug and squealed in my ear: “I LOVED Elder Johnson!” Then, her smile turned to a somber frown; the excitement in her voice faded and became liken to a whisper. “I was so, so sad to hear of his death. He passed away shortly after coming home, right? It was melanoma, right?”
I remember wishing that Natalie, and her family, had been present for this remarkable, even miraculous “chance meeting” with Hermana Merryweather. “I am so glad that Natalie has been able to honor Eric’s memory by creating the Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon. And I’m so glad that she has you, Danielle, to help her do that. Eric had a great love for the people of Venezuela. He was an all-around great person, and so nice and fun. Everyone liked him. Did you know that he had a perfect command of the Spanish language, too? I think I have some pictures of Eric in the mission field that I’d like Natalie to have. Can you give them to her for me?”
Oh, how I had wished that Natalie could have heard Hermana Merryweather speak so fondly of her valiant older brother; the one who inspired her to create the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol.
Truth be told, I never had the opportunity of meeting Eric. I only know him through stories, such as the one Hermana Merryweather shared. I only know Eric because of Natalie; the simple and quiet ways in which she serves the skin cancer community speak volumes about the love she had/has for her older brother which, in turn, tells me about the kind of person he was here in this life. I can’t make any statements about Eric, nor should I make any assumptions, but I think it is safe to say that he was a genuinely good person; a strong and courageous melanoma warrior. I'm sure he was... Just take a look at how he inspired(s) his sister, Natalie, who has since inspired(s) many others to become Skin Cancer Crusaders.
The “chance meeting” I had with Sister Merryweather is a fond memory and an experience I will always cherish. It is both humbling and bewildering. How did she spot me amid the massive crowds of literally thousands of people, and why did she choose me (there were four other people right next to me who were also wearing Venezuelan T-shirts)? Needless to say, this experience is a testament to me that we are all connected to each other. There is a saying that goes: “Coincidences are but small miracles in which God wishes to remain anonymous.” Yet, He is never anonymous. He is in every beautiful thing.
I can see Him in the faces of those I love, and see His Grace through the faces of those touched by cancer, and I can see His hand in my own life.
When I got home that day, I shared this story with my best friend [and then room-mate] Melissa (who, at the time, I had only known for a week but she ended up becoming one of my all-time favorite people and even wrote the Afterword to my book). I remember her big twinkling aquamarine eyes were immediately wet with tears. (And Melissa never cries.) Her kind, serene face glowed even brighter than the stars in Heaven. She reached out her long ballerina arm across the table and put her hand on mine. She, then, smiled and looked into my eyes. (Oh, how her eyes can see into my soul!) “You realize, Danielle, that this is no random, chance meeting […] I really believe that part of your mission here on Earth, Danielle, is to fight for those touched by cancer; to be a crusader for skin cancer and touch other people’s lives for the good. Heavenly Father is so mindful of you and He loves you…”
Honestly, I believe all of us are here to touch each other’s lives for the good. Everyone of us has the capacity, as well as the ability, to help further the cause of skin cancer prevention; to protect people and save lives from this extremely preventable disease. So often, when we hear of disease and tragedy, we are overwhelmed by its extremity that we feel crippled, if not powerless, to make a difference and stem the tide of its devastation. However, this is not the case with skin cancer. With more than 90% of skin cancers caused by over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation, this disease is largely preventable which means, WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT IT AND PROTECT PEOPLE FROM IT; TO SAVE LIVES! That, in of itself, is a message of hope, inspiration, and empowerment. And that is exactly why the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol® was born; to espouse hope and inspire people to join in the fight to save lives; to touch lives for the good.
If there can be a positive side to cancer, it is that it reminds us of how precious and yet fragile our relationships are, that we are all connected to each other by a power greater than ourselves, that we have an infinite capacity for good within us, that our nature is Divine but our lives are in His Hands and, as such, life is a gift. And, as with any gift, we must embrace it humbly and graciously, and treat it with great respect and care. We are also reminded that out of tragedy, hope can be found. Hope is always alive and present; it springs Eternal [but] it waits for us to awaken; to embrace it. Hope, and love, is the part of us that lives on -- it is the part that cancer cannot kill.
So, what are you waiting for? Help us eradicate skin cancer from the earth TODAY!
Be SunSavvy,
Danielle.
http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com
Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord.
Thou sendest blessings from above
Through words and deeds of those who love.
What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
When such a friend from us departs
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness Lord above.
(the italicized poetic above are an excerpt from a hymn by Karen Lynn Davidson).
]]>As I work on revising, updating, and publishing my skin cancer prevention education curriculum for young adults, and gather stories from people - all over the world - touched by melanoma skin cancer, I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed when I think about the number of people, especially those in their teens and 20s, who have faced melanoma. When these people are on the brink of starting their lives, melanoma has robbed of it. When you're 20-something, you should be taking classes and writing essays for college, dating, initiating and nurturing lifelong friendships, traveling the world, discovering who you are, and preparing for the future. You should be living with passion, enthusiasm, vigor, and full of vitality. You should be full of hope and adventure, seeking out truth and knowledge, growing and developing, learning and loving. You should not be facing melanoma skin cancer.
At age 24, I was working on my senior thesis for college (which became the launchpad for my first book) and thinking about my career options. I established, with my dear friend Natalie, a non-profit organization to teach young adults about cancer (especially skin cancer). I was dreaming about my future husband and vacations to Ireland, Australia, and Egypt (I still am). MaryAnn, on the other hand; at age 24 she was told that a mole on her cheek was malignant melanoma--a preventable, but very aggressive and even deadly form of cancer.
Here's an excerpt from the email she sent me --
"I was 24 years old at the time of diagnosis. I learned of my diagnosis after I had a mole that was on my left cheek removed [...]. The [plastic surgeon] automatically sent the mole in for a biopsy and I received a call that following Monday. My melanoma was at a Clark level IV. I honestly went into a complete numb mode. I was referred to an oncologist that I was told was the best in the West. I did anything and everything he told me to do. I was so scared I didn't dare think anymore than what I was told. It has now been two years since my diagnosis. I return every six months for a check up, and I have had many atypical moles removed since.
When I received the initial call, I told him he had the wrong person, after all I was only 24. This wasn't possible. Then, I called my husband and my mom and cried and cried. I didn't know what to think and neither did they. We all went to see the oncologist together. I was only focusing on the part where he said he was going to cut into my face and I would have a scar. I kept asking how big the scar was going to be and how bad it would look. He finally looked me in the eyes and said, "I'm not really worried about how the scar will look, I am more worried about trying to save your life." I honestly can say I didn't hear much of the conversation after that. I was told that I had skin cancer because I went tanning. I truly thought, "this is crazy." We are told that tanning beds are safe, so how could this be true? I decided that the only way I could become a survivor and not a victim of this terrible disease was to start educating as many people as I could about the dangers of tanning beds. I have now done several interviews, as well as going to the high schools and telling them my story. I will do everything in my power to help our kids learn the truth about tanning beds and what they need to do to keep themselves safe from skin cancer and melanoma. The picture is right before I was heading into the second surgery to remove all the lymph nodes in my neck due [to prevent the melanoma from spreading further."
Thankfully, MaryAnn's dermatologist, plastic surgeon, and oncologist were able to surgically remove the metastic (spreading) melanoma and thus save her life. Yet, many other young women such as Scarlet and others mentioned in this Blog were not as fortunate. Let this be, yet ANOTHER reminder, that there is NO SUCH THING AS A SAFE TAN. Tanning beds are dangerous - period. Ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds are just as harmful (in fact, more so) than UV rays from the sun. There is a great deal of research currently being done about the affects of tanning and its link to a heightened risk for melanoma. And there are various studies on how the cumulative affects of ultraviolet radiation - a known carcinogen - leads to an eventual melanoma.
To learn more about melanoma prevention, detection and treatment, as well as the dangers of tanning pick up copy of ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Research. You can also log on to www.aad.org - the official site of the American Academy of Dermatology and read scientific journals.
Melanoma is an ugly, terrible, aggressive, and deadly cancer that is largely preventable. Truly, with increased awareness/prevention/education we can stem the tide of this growing yet unnecessary epidemic and thus SAVE LIVES of many youth.
Parents, do not let your teenagers go tanning. Ladies, if you must heed to the fashion of being bronze use sunless tanning foams instead. Everyone - perform your self-skin exams every month and see your dermatologist annually; protect yourself and your loved ones from this disease.
I wish all cancers were as easily preventable; however, the double-edged sword we face with melanoma is that while it may be preventable it is a complicated and often misunderstood and very dangerous, deadly disease.
So, again, I implore you - forgo the tanning beds, wear the sunscreen, and take all the necessary steps to reduce your risk and protect yourself from skin cancer.
Wishing you all health, safety, and happiness,
Danielle.
PS: If you are a melanoma survivor, or have lost a loved one to melanoma, please visit my blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogpspot.
]]>Last week, we issued a press release asking for stories about melanoma warriors. Today, I received two emails - both stories about two beautiful women in their 20s; one survived Stage IV melanoma, while the other succumbed to Stage IV melanoma. (Stage IV meaning that the melanoma had spread to other bodily organs and into the lymph and blood vessels). I went from joy and excitement when reading MaryAnn's story of survival (someone give three cheers to her dermatologist/oncologist), to sadness and humility when reading a Tennessee mother write about her daughter, Scarlet, with the bright and friendly smile. Scarlet passed away a year ago. She passed away just one day shy of her 28th birthday. I'm 28 and single with no family, but Scarlet was married with a brand new baby girl. And melanoma robbed her of the chance to raise her baby. Having lost my mother to cancer as a teenager, I weep for Scarlet's baby and I ache for her. You see, I have memories of my radiant mother [but] Scarlet's baby will have only pictures; no memories of the beautiful and brave mother who, against the odds, fought to give her life while losing her own life to melanoma--the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Ladies, this Blog entry is for you (especially to those of you in your teens and 20s). When you hear reports issued by the American Academy of Dermatology that say melanoma is killing more women ages 20 - 39 than any other cancer; when you hear me beg and plead with you to avoid tanning beds and be vigilant about proper, regular, year-round sunscreen use; when you read about melanoma warriors such as Scarlet or Charlie or Colette, and many others, please remember that melanoma is very real and very serious, and very dangerous. Remember, too, that melanoma is PREVENTABLE! Please, please, please protect yourselves and protect your loved ones. Consider the heartfelt plea of a Tennessee mother named Cheryl who lost her daughter to melanoma. (And while you're encouraging the young women in your life to be proactive about sun safety and skin checks, don't forget the guys in your life, too!)
"I wish I could say that my daughter was a Melanoma survivor, but that is not the case. Here is her story:
Scarlet Lawrence Akins was 27-years-old, a college professor, married and pregnant with her first child. She had a small mole on her right thigh, just above her knee that changed shape/size. She told me, she was not sure if it changed size and she shaved the top of it off or if she shaved it and then it changed. Either way, it would not stop bleeding. It would bleed off and on for a while. She kept a Band-Aid on it all of the time. When she got pregnant she was so sick, of course everyone thought it was due to her being pregnant. She continued to teach, the entire time having little strength and being so sick that she would throw-up in the trash can in her classroom. She started coughing in Jan. 2006 and the doctors still didn't know what was wrong. She was given blood every week because of her "counts" were "off". On April 4th 2006 we finally found out that she had Stage IV Melanoma. The cancer was on her spine, 3 tumors on her brain and so many tumors in her lungs that according to her oncologist, her x-ray looked like a "snowstorm".
She lived exactly 4 months to the day. She died on Aug.4th 2006 one day before her 28th birthday. While she did go to the beach every summer, she was not a tanning bed user and did not every tan. She would just joke that all she did was turn red, then back to white. Scarlet delivered a healthy (cancer-free) little girl that weighed 3lbs and 8oz on May 9th. Scarlet hardly got to be with her child at all. It breaks my heart that her daughter will never know what a wonderful mother she had. Never get to have her to hold her hand, give her a hug or fix her hair. We will never understand.................
We did just pass the one year mark of losing Scarlet and we did a Run From the Sun Memphis 5K in her memory and to raise money for Melanoma research, education and awareness. Since she was an educator, we wanted to do something to bring awareness to this awful disease.
If Scarlet could change anything, I think it would be this; if you have a strange spot, a mole or if you just don't feel "right" don't just settle for accepting that the doctors know everything. You know your body, and you need to manage your own health. She would probably had still succumbed to this, but maybe we would have had her longer.
MD Anderson has sent education packages to every school in the "Sunbelt" in the south. We live in Tennessee and I don't believe that this is being taught in any health or science class. I think that we have to get to these young people before they get into tanning. Educate parents to not take your babies to the beach without sunscreen and not in the hours of 10-4. If is taught at home first then in the schools maybe we could save some of these young people.
If you could get Oprah or Dr. Phil to do a story on this that would be a tremendous boost in awareness. I personally sent Oprah, Scarlet's story, her obituary, her memorial CD and all of the press that was covered about her story and I heard nothing. Maybe you would have better luck.
Thank you for your efforts and if I can be of any assistance please feel free to let me know."
Thank you, Cheryl, for opening up your heart and allowing me to (in very small way) share in your sorrow and pain. I promise you that all of us here at The Cancer Crusaders Organization, though we are small group of 20-somethings volunteering our time between school and work, we will do all that we can to fight this deadly, but preventable disease. I, personally, pray each day for Strength, Insight, and Guidance from Above to know how best to serve you, and others like you, to honor the memories of those we have lost, and to best educate other young adults; to effectively reach and teach them about skin cancer prevention, detection, sun safety, and hopefully - with His Grace and Assistance - help save lives. I know that many of my fellow "skin cancer crusaders" at other melanoma foundations share in that commitment and passion, as well.
That said, if you are a woman in her 20s or if you know and care about in her 20s, please share with her Scarlet's story, the facts and statistics about young women and melanoma (and the fact that every five minutes a woman is diagnosed with a form of skin cancer), and share with them information about skin cancer prevention/sun safety. I know that tonight, as I say my prayers, I'll be thanking my Heavenly Father for the gift of good health and safety, of blessed and beloved friends, of tender mercies and , of course, for "this unique gift called life." I just can't believe that I have outlived yet another young woman who gave so much of herself to those around her and who had a bright future ahead of her. It is, in a word, humbling. And it breaks my heart.
Let this be a reminder of how precious life is, and how much work we have to do to fight this UNNECESSARY EPIDEMIC!!!
In humility,
Danielle M. White
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
PS: If you would like to share your story for the special edition of ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources, please feel free to email me at info@cancercrusaders.org. For details, please visit my Blog at http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com
]]>Women are notorious for spreading the word about things and people they like. Let me know who your favorite dermatologist is....
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: The Cancer Crusaders Organization
801.863.6351
info@cancercrusaders.org
Saluting those who protect what protects us—our skin: 1st Annual Dermatologists’ Appreciation Week announced
]]>Women are notorious for spreading the word about things and people they like. Let me know who your favorite dermatologist is....
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: The Cancer Crusaders Organization
801.863.6351
info@cancercrusaders.org
Saluting those who protect what protects us—our skin: 1st Annual Dermatologists’ Appreciation Week announced
Provo, UTAH (August 10, 2007) – With more than 1.3 million new skin cancers diagnosed in America each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the role of dermatologist has transformed from mere “skin doctor” to cancer crusader, lifesaver, and even hero.
There was a quote that appeared in a recent publication of the British Journal of Dermatology that says “[…] there is a general lack of appreciation for what dermatologists do.”
Indeed, dermatologists are faced with a tremendous responsibility in the midst of a growing epidemic, not to mention the slew of other skin diseases they treat.
Hence, The Cancer Crusaders Organization announces that it will host “Dermatologists’ Appreciation Week” to pay tribute to superior dermatologists dedicated to skin cancer prevention and patient care.
“The idea [to recognize dermatologists] came to me when I received a call from my dermatologist recently,” says Danielle White, co-founder of The Cancer Crusaders Organization. “We had been playing phone tag for over a month trying to schedule an appointment to surgically remove several suspicious moles, and we could never sync up; my work schedule was crazy, she was booked.” White continues, “Then, I received a voice message from her that said ‘anytime that works for you and your crazy schedule is good for me. I just want to get those moles taken care of for you.’ That really impressed me. I thought ‘Wow! My dermatologist genuinely cares!’ She went above and beyond the call of duty. I know many dermatologists are also dedicated; they champion skin cancer prevention and patient care. So, we [at The Cancer Crusaders Organization] decided it would be a great opportunity for patients to have an opportunity to champion them in return, and show their appreciation.”
With that, The Cancer Crusaders Organization is asking patients to nominate their dermatologist for recognition. To nominate your favorite skin cancer-crusading dermatologist, please follow these guidelines:
• Submit a 300 to 600 word write-up explaining why the dermatologist is worthy of recognition. Please include: a list journal publications they may have written, community activities they have participated in for skin cancer awareness, personal experiences with the care you received from the dermatologist, testimonials from fellow patients, and other applicable information to help us understand why you are nominating them for recognition.
• Please include first and name, location, and contact information for both yourself and the dermatologist. (Sorry, no anonymous nominations will be accepted).
• It is strongly recommended that nominators submit a jpeg photo of the dermatologist, if possible.
• Please submit your nomination via email to The Cancer Crusaders Organization no later than September 10th.
• The dermatologist must be board-certified and in good standing with the American Academy of Dermatology.
• Nominations from outside of the United States may also be accepted.
The Cancer Crusaders Organization will recognize two dermatologists a day during the week of September 24 – 27, 2007. Each dermatologist will be featured on White’s Blog, receive an custom-made award plaque, a complimentary Skin Cancer Awareness pin featuring the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol®, a personalized thank you note from the nominee(s), and a complimentary copy of White’s next book – Preventing the Most Preventable Cancer which is due out sometime next year.
White, who is also the author ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources, says she hopes to make this an annual tradition by partnering up with other skin cancer organizations in the future, even making it a national event.
“With skin cancer incidence continually on the rise, it is vitally important that individuals and organizations dedicated fighting skin cancer come together and create a unified front; to conquer this disease it is going to take the collaborative effort—the dermatologists and patients, the educators and survivors must all come together,” White says. “Take a look at the breast cancer community—they have raised our stream of consciousness considerably over the past 20 years largely because they have successfully captured the attention of society by recruiting and uniting women together in the fight. The skin cancer community needs to do the same. We’re making progress, but there is still so much work to do,” she says. White adds that she hopes activities such as a Dermatologists’ Appreciation Week will aid in accomplishing this “overwhelming, but do-able task of raising awareness and education.”
Additionally, The Cancer Crusaders Organization welcomes nominations from the American Academy of Dermatology to nominate outstanding employees who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to skin cancer prevention education both personally and professionally.
“We recognize the AAD as the nation’s leader in the field of dermatological health and education,” White says. “In addition to saluting dermatologists, we would like to recognize at least one employee at the AAD, who have been nominated by their peers and co-workers, for their good works on behalf of skin cancer. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for what you do. It’s a way to give back to those who inspire us, and serve others.”
The Cancer Crusaders Organization is a member of the National Coalition for Sun Safety, as part of the American Academy of Dermatology. Employees of the AAD who wish to nominate co-workers should follow the aforementioned guidelines regarding nominations for dermatologists.
The Cancer Crusaders Organization is also in the midst of hosting an essay contest on skin cancer prevention education and the perils of tanning.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or make a charitable donation, please contact The Cancer Crusaders Organization at: PO BOX 2076 Provo, Utah 84603 or send an email. You can also check out White’s personal Blog at: http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com.
The Cancer Crusaders Organization, founded in 2004 by Danielle M. White and Natalie C. Johnson-Hatch, is an award-winning 501 [c] [3] public charity, and serves as the proud home of the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol®
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]]>And isn't it so true that more heads are better than one?
I have come to the stark realization that I can no longer run my award-winning non-profit organization effectively by myself. In other words, I need a little WOman power.
]]>And isn't it so true that more heads are better than one?
I have come to the stark realization that I can no longer run my award-winning non-profit organization effectively by myself. In other words, I need a little WOman power.
When I started The Cancer Crusaders Organization, I was a senior in college. I started it with six other friends - also in their 20s. Our goal was (and still is) to teach people, particularly young adults, about skin cancer prevention. We even introduced the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol to the world, and captured to Gold Triangle Awards from the American Academy of Dermatology.
Yet, my crew has slowly and inevitably dwindled - my last two board members are graduating with their Masters and moving out of the country. People warned me that I was setting myself up for a great deal of transition down the road by working with a bunch of 20-something college students who will eventually graduate, get careers, get married, have children, and move away. It's true. I knew it would be tricky. I knew it would be a challenge, but it has been worth it! I still work with college student volunteers, yet I do find myself in need of some additional crew members to help me conquer the world's most common cancer.
So, I'm reaching out for help across cyberspace in effort to unite skin cancer crusaders, from all over, together in the fight! Will you lend your talents toward a worthy cause?
I need a Web designer to re-do our Web-sites (and protect them from hackers).
I need a Grant writer and/or someone who has a talent for recruiting sponsors and fund-raising.
I need a few people to help gather addresses together and thus help distribute the ONLY SKIN DEEP? book (and our peer education curriculum) to colleges and universities in high-risk states.
I spend a great deal of timewriting and developing skin cancer education curriculum and promoting the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol at nights and on the weekends (during my spare time, after working at my "real job"), and investing much of my own money into the cause. Yet, I know that The Cancer Crusaders Organization can be so much MORE EFFECTIVE if we have additional volunteers(not just me) helping bring in donations and, of course, helping "spread the word" about skin cancer.
Again, more heads are better than one.
If you are interested in becoming a member of The Cancer Crusaders Organization and volunteering your time, talents, resources toward a great cause. We can use members, as well as on-call volunteers -- whatever you can give, we appreciate it.
Help us eradicate this common, yet preventable cancer. There is no need another woman to be diagnosed with skin cancer every five minutes.
If you can help, or know of someone who can help, please contact me.
Thanks and Be SunSavvy!
Danielle M. White
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
info@cancercrusaders.org
http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com
You're invited to participate....
Only Skin Deep? ‘Cancer Crusaders’ seeking stories of hope, survival, and inspiration
Provo, UTAH (August 8, 2007) – As the temperature rises this summer, so does melanoma incidence—across the globe. In fact, another American is succumbs to melanoma every hour according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Yet, The Cancer Crusaders Organization wants to reassure people that there is hope.
]]>You're invited to participate....
Only Skin Deep? ‘Cancer Crusaders’ seeking stories of hope, survival, and inspiration
Provo, UTAH (August 8, 2007) – As the temperature rises this summer, so does melanoma incidence—across the globe. In fact, another American is succumbs to melanoma every hour according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Yet, The Cancer Crusaders Organization wants to reassure people that there is hope.
“Skin cancer incidence in the U.S., and across the globe, continues to rise at an alarming rate,” says Danielle M. White, co-founder of The Cancer Crusaders Organization. “In fact, melanoma is killing more women ages 20-39 than any other cancer. Yet, this disease is very preventable! Prevention brings message of hope, and we want to emphasize to people, especially young adults, that while melanoma is a serious [disease] that is one the rise, it is extremely preventable—if we are proactive,” White says.
The 28-year-old White, who is also the author of the book ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources says that her award-winning organization is collecting stories from melanoma survivors and family members touched by melanoma to include in a special edition of her book is set to release sometime next year.
“We want to include a section in the book that features a variety of stories from individuals touched by melanoma in this next edition,” White says. “In doing this, we hope to put face to this often misunderstood disease, and inspire people to be more proactive about prevention [and] to pay tribute to melanoma warriors and their legacy.”
White who is an inducted member of the American Academy of Dermatology’s National Coalition for Sun Safety and teaches skin cancer prevention to young adults says melanoma is a particular concern for women in their 20s. White’s next book, Preventing the Most Preventable Cancer, is also due out next year.
“Melanoma is the number one cancer-killer of women ages 20 to 39,” she says. “Every day I receive another email or phone call from someone who has lost a loved one to melanoma. The alarming increase in melanoma incidence reminds me that there is a need to not only disseminate information and statistics, but to put a face to the disease; to show people that melanoma is real and touches real people—your brother, your daughter, your friend.”
White mentions friend and co-founder, Natalie Johnson-Hatch. “Natalie’s brother passed away due to complications associated with a malignant melanoma just two months after his diagnosis. He was only 21-years-old. This is just one, of the many, stories that we want to share with others. Melanoma needs more attention and support from the public, thus we need increase awareness through education and prevention.” Hatch, a former Miss Utah, is the creator of the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol® and has been featured in various publications such as SHAPE Magazine.
Individuals interested in sharing their stories of melanoma survival are encouraged to follow the prescribed guidelines for submission:
- If you are a melanoma survivor submitting a story for inclusion in the special edition of ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources, please include:
• Your first and last name, mailing address and hometown, email, and age at the time of diagnosis. (We can, upon request, omit last names when publishing stories but request first and last names during submission to verify authenticity and accuracy of the information; to ensure the submission received is from the actual individual and that individual is authorizing publication of the story).
• How you learned of your diagnosis (and what stage melanoma you had), treatment options you explored, recovery, and how many years you have been in remission.
• Personal details such as: how you told your family; how you felt when you were initially diagnosed; what you wished you knew before diagnosis and what you would like people to know about melanoma now; ideas on effective ways of teaching youth and what you are doing to help protect and educate others.
• A jpeg photo (optional).
- If you are the family member of an individual who succumbed to melanoma and would like to share their story, please also send in the aforementioned information.
Stories should be sent to The Cancer Crusaders Organization via email by October 11, 2007.
Individuals submitting stories for the special edition of White’s book ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources must realize that their content will become property of The Cancer Crusaders Organization. The first 15 individuals who submit stories will receive a complimentary Skin Cancer Awareness pin featuring the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol®.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and make a tax-deductible charitable donation, please contact The Cancer Crusaders Organization at PO BOX 2076 Provo, Utah 84603. You can also check out the ONLY SKIN DEEP? Blog at: http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com
The Cancer Crusaders Organization, founded by Danielle M. White and Natalie Johnson-Hatch in 2004, is an award-winning 501 [c] [3] public charity, and serves as the proud home of the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol®.
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]]>Media inundates us with conflicting messages about the sun exposure-Vitamin D relationship, thus perpetuating confusion, and false ideas, which can be potentially dangerous.
]]>Media inundates us with conflicting messages about the sun exposure-Vitamin D relationship, thus perpetuating confusion, and false ideas, which can be potentially dangerous.
The truth is, deliberately seeking the sun to avoid a Vitamin D deficiency is not only unnecessary or irresponsible, but can be deadly. And here is why:
Don't Seek the Sun: Top Reasons to Get Vitamin D From Your Diet
Research from the American Academy Academy of Dermatology sheds light on the truth about Vitamin D, sun exposure, and skin cancer.
Truth be told, our bodies need Vitamin D to build and maintain strong bones. Without vitamin D, the body cannot use calcium and phosphorus — two minerals necessary for healthy bones. The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend getting Vitamin D from sun exposure or indoor tanning. Both sources emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Getting vitamin D from your diet and practicing sun protection offer a healthier alternative. Still skeptical? Consider these scientific facts:
1. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds cause premature aging of the skin, actinic keratoses and skin cancer. There is so much scientific evidence to support this fact that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services classifies UV radiation as a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). UV exposure also causes cataracts and suppresses the body’s immune system.
2. More than one million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. While the benefits of vitamin D in helping to reduce the risk of many cancers have yet to be fully proven, it is a well known fact that overexposure to ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
3. The number of diagnosed cases of skin cancer continues to increase at an alarming rate. At current rates, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
4. One person dies from melanoma, a type of skin cancer every hour in the United States. Today, melanoma is the second most prevalent form of cancer among women aged 20 to 29. It is expected that new cases of melanoma will increase by 9% in 2006 alone (and about 6,000% over the past century). This raises an American’s lifetime risk of developing melanoma to 1 in 32.
5. Dietary sources of Vitamin D do not prematurely age the skin nor increase the risk of developing skin cancer or actinic keratoses. Dietary sources are available year round. Good sources include fortified milk, fortified cereal, salmon, mackerel and cod liver oil. Research shows that vitamin D supplements are well-tolerated, safe and effective.
6. Sunscreen use does not cause Vitamin D deficiency. A research study conducted in Australia, which has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, found that sunscreen did not cause Vitamin D deficiency in all 113 people who wore adequate sunscreen to prevent actinic keratoses. Research shows that sunscreen helps prevent premature aging, actinic keratoses and skin cancer.
When used correctly, sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15, the minimum recommended by the Academy, deflects or absorbs 93 percent of the sun’s UVB rays and allows 7% to penetrate skin. In addition, the average person requires one ounce of sunscreen, enough to fill a shot glass, to adequately cover the exposed areas of the body. However, most people don’t use enough sunscreen to receive the level of protection that is indicated on the package. Many people also fail to apply sunscreen at least 15-30 minutes before going outdoors in order to allow it to be completely absorbed into the skin, and they neglect to re-apply it every two hours or after swimming.
7. Humans need calcium to benefit from Vitamin D. Sun exposure does not provide calcium. However, fortified milk, other Vitamin D-fortified dairy products, and salmon are rich in both Vitamin D and calcium. Many dietary supplements also contain both. Getting enough calcium and Vitamin D is essential to prevent osteoporosis.
8. Vitamin D from food and dietary supplements offers the same benefits — without the danger of exposure to ultraviolet radiation — as Vitamin D obtained from the sun. Vitamin D cannot be used by the body until it is processed by the liver and the kidneys. The usable form of Vitamin D created by this process is the same — regardless of how it enters the body.
9. Maximum production of vitamin D occurs after brief exposure to UV radiation. The exact amount of time depends on many factors including location, time of day, time of year, and skin type. For a fair-skinned person in Boston or New York, at noon in June, it is about two minutes. After this, any additional Vitamin D that the body produces will not be stored for future use. Additional unprotected exposure will result in an increased risk of premature aging and skin cancer.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology
So, there you have it. Do NOT seek the sun as a means of avoiding a Vitamin D deficiency. Eating a bowl of cereal each day will provide you with sufficient Vitamin D, and will save your skin from unnecessary exposure to cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation. To learn more, pick up a copy of the recently released book entitled ONLY SKIN DEEP? A Essential Guide to Effective Programs and Resources now available on Amazon.com.
Be SunSavvy,
Danielle M. White
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
http://onlyskindeepbook.blogspot.com