Melanoma Monday 2009
If you are here for weekend snapshot or nature notes, that post is below this one.
Today is Melanoma Monday an event started by the American Academy of Dermatology to increase melanoma awareness. Last year I wrote a Melanoma Monday Post which I hope you will go to if you didn't read it last year. After my melanoma diagnosis four years ago at Stage III, I have gotten to know many people with melanoma. Sadly some of these fun, caring, interesting people are no longer with us, dying far too young from this terrible cancer. There are also many like me who have been lucky even when diagnosed with deep primaries and positive nodes who are doing great so if anyone reads this post who is recently diagnosed with melanoma, please know there is lots of room for hope. Also, the prognosis is excellent for those diagnosed early so please consider a skin cancer screening.
Since I already said most of what I have to say in my post last year, I'll leave it with a few, brief thoughts. Remember, protect your skin when you are out in the sun, try to avoid the heat of the day, and even if you don't have a history of sun burns and have darker skin, pay attention to any change in moles or dark areas under nails. Melanoma does not discriminate and can attack people of all skin types and races. Below is a good graphic to show you what I think of tanning parlors.
Today is Melanoma Monday an event started by the American Academy of Dermatology to increase melanoma awareness. Last year I wrote a Melanoma Monday Post which I hope you will go to if you didn't read it last year. After my melanoma diagnosis four years ago at Stage III, I have gotten to know many people with melanoma. Sadly some of these fun, caring, interesting people are no longer with us, dying far too young from this terrible cancer. There are also many like me who have been lucky even when diagnosed with deep primaries and positive nodes who are doing great so if anyone reads this post who is recently diagnosed with melanoma, please know there is lots of room for hope. Also, the prognosis is excellent for those diagnosed early so please consider a skin cancer screening.
Since I already said most of what I have to say in my post last year, I'll leave it with a few, brief thoughts. Remember, protect your skin when you are out in the sun, try to avoid the heat of the day, and even if you don't have a history of sun burns and have darker skin, pay attention to any change in moles or dark areas under nails. Melanoma does not discriminate and can attack people of all skin types and races. Below is a good graphic to show you what I think of tanning parlors.
8 comments:
It is astounding that so many people still sit out in the sun and go to tanning salons. But there are people who still smoke too...I am so happy that you are doing so well and are able to share what you have learned with the rest of us....Michelle
it's good to know of special day like this. it raises awareness and the act of participating in the call.
Excellent post and encouraging info ... I agree with your tanning parlor 'marquee' ... a good sunblock applied liberally will help protect your skin .. aside from melanoma, think of the wrinkles .. that should keep the vain ones slathering!
It is important to raise awarness. Keep up the good work.
A message we should all heed but so many don't believe it and still think a tan is the most important thing.
I followed your link form Michelle's Nature Note site. Went back and read some of your archives. Enjoyed seeing your gardens and birds. YOu have a very interesting blog.
Marnie
Thanks for the reminder, Carver. Very interesting links too.
Thank you for sharing this post. It's so nice of you!
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