Only Skin Deep?

Sharing her Sister's Story

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Last August a lady named Jenifer from Orange County, California, whom I never met emailed me. She asked me to share the story of her sister, Alison, who succumbed to malignant melanoma - deadliest form of skin cancer. Knowing that completing another edition of my book has been postponed to a TBD date, I decided to archive her email for the future edition.

Yet, today, after a girl at work asked me to take a look at a mole and determine if she needed to see a dermatologist, I suddenly remembered this email about Alison. Then, I remembered how my friend, Tiffany's husband, who is featured in my book as a two-time skin cancer survivor lost his third and final battle with the disease one year ago.

It is important to remember that while skin cancer is highly preventable, it does claim lives. Therefore, it is vitally important that we take the proper precautions - and not take for granted the fact that is largely preventable; rather, remember that it's only "preventable" if we protect ourselves. Do not take for granted the importance of proper, year-round sunscreen use, performing self skin exams every month and visiting your dermatologist every year - and especially avoiding tanning beds. There is absolutely no such thing as a safe tan from a tanning bed. Period. Claims that tanning beds are good sources of Vitamin D or catalysts for combating depression are categorically untrue. Feel free to read previous blog posts about all the aforementioned topics, and definitely search the American Academy of Dermatology for official medical information about skin cancer prevention.

Again, the only way we can stem the tide of this growing epidemic is both through proactive prevention and educating others - especially youth. There is really no reason that someone in the United States should die from melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - every hour, if we are wiser about UV safe/skin health behaviors.

Perhaps, sharing Jenifer's sister's story will inspire you to be a personal "skin cancer crusader" both in your life and in the lives of those you know and love:

[Note: The following is quoted verbatim as shared in a direct personal email dated 8/4/09, and is printed with permission from the sender.]

"Danielle,

This is a story about my sister in her own words. Her life was filled with lots of humor and tons of love to give. We will always remember her needs for candy…and lot of it, her love for all things Vanilla and White…..but most of all we will love celebrating HER! She has so much fight and so much ability and so much to share. Alison has fought her fight and is about to go peacefully! Please read and enjoy her story and pass long the news. Thank you! Jenifer.

I grew up in Orange County. A southern Californian fair- skinned blue eyed blonde, who spent countless hours and days bathing in the warm sun, desiring for that golden tan skin. I spent many summer afternoons lounging at the beach or the pool with my girlfriends, when I wasn't coaching swimming lessons or lifeguarding at the local college pool. I was the head coach for an Irvine swim league and took them from 20th place to 10th. I was living the life as a young adult. I had no worries. I had no fears. I just wanted to be pretty, and of course, tan.

I still remember my father scorning "You'd better put on sun screen", before I would leave the house every morning. I always looked at him as if he was crazy. I swore he was a complete dork! Didn't he understand? I needed to be tan. I wasn't going to be tan with sunscreen.

Years would pass. I graduated from high school at Capo Valley. I kept sun bathing. I continued teaching private swim lessons-1 never wore a hat. I never wore sunscreen like my dad had warned so many times. I always would burn, then burn again, eventually building up a base tan. After the first month I would be able to tan my skin. This process took place every Summer.

I was accepted to Otis Design School in Los Angeles. I wanted to be a fashion designer. I wanted my own clothing line. I received my AA degree from a local community college, Orange Coast and then enrolled at Otis. On summer days, I tanned in my backyard or at the pool.

In 1996,1 had a beautiful baby girl and named her Madison Alexis. She became my everything. I was a single mom and it was just the two of us. I taught her how to swim and we spent many Summer days lounging around the pool or at the beach. Of course I was still sun bathing-1 loved the sun. Madison just loved being outdoors and loved swimming.

One Autumn day, I woke up and suddenly realized I had a mole on the inside of my left calf. Odd, I thought. I have a lot of moles on my body, so I didn't think anything of it. I made an appointment with my family physician to have him look at the mole. I trusted him. He knew me well- he had known my history and could give me advice on what to do. An hour later, the appointment ended. He told me it was just a mole and wasn't anything I needed to worry about. He suggested I have it burnt off, if it was really bothering me. He definitely did not seem concerned. He was in a hurry and left the room. I left the room with a sigh of relief- it was nothing!

Months would pass, which somehow turned into a year. The mole was still there, but this time, it had changed color and size and shape. I swore I thought I just kept cutting it while I was shaving. I thought it had just formed a scab. I would remind myself it was nothing. The doctor even said so. I kept covering it with band-aids.....until one day is started bleeding.

I dropped off my little one at preschool early one day, kissed her goodbye, and drove to the emergency room at Hoag Hospital. I didn't want to take Madison with me, I knew she would be scared. It was 6 am. Now I was scared. I checked myself in and was seen right away by a doctor. He observed the mole and had a puzzled look on his face. The look remained on his face for about 10-15 minutes, until he excused himself from the room. As he returned, with 10 medical books in hand, the doctor and 4 of his fellow doctors, were quickly thumbing through the books anxiously hoping to give me some answers. I heard them say over and over, "No, it sure doesn't look like cancer."

I was feeling relieved. They told me they didn't know for sure, but that they recommend I see a dermatologist. It definitely didn't look cancerous. I was confused. I had never seen a dermatologist before. I always had good skin.

They handed me a piece of paper with the number of a dermatologist near my house, and told me to make an appointment as soon as possible. I left immediately. I swore I was fine.

As soon as the dermatologist's office opened, I called to make an appointment. Luckily, they had an opening the very next Monday. I was in. I was positive everything was going to be fine. It wasn't cancer. It didn't look like cancer. I trusted those doctors, especially my family doctor who I have known since the age of 5. I was going to be fine.

Madison and I drove to my appointment. We checked in. I was called in immediately. Madison sat behind me and I plopped down on the doctor's chair. The doctor entered the room and within 30 seconds of viewing the mole, he urgently asked me how long I had had it for. I explained to him that I was a super busy, single mom, was going to school, working full time and raising a daughter, etc....."I don't know", I said. "A month. A few months. A year." I had lost track of time. He was not happy. He looked as if he was going to jump out of his skin and strangle me. He said nothing. He quickly disappeared. Fifteen minutes later he returns with 2 nurses, 2 trays covered with doctor tools and supplies, and some kind of machine. I was confused. I was scared. Madison began to cry. The doctor told me to lay back. He warned me not to look up. It all happened so fast. My body became numb.

Madison's cries turned into screams and she began to yell out, "Why is there so much blood everywhere?" and "What are you doing to my mommy?". When the procedure was over and after I calmed my little one down, the doctor again warned me to not look up. I did. In front of me, floating in a little clear tube, was a 3" substance which looked like a leech. I asked the doctor where he found that leech, and he told me, "It's not a leech. We got that from you leg." I wanted to vomit. My daughter looked into my eyes and continued to cry. I was still numb. I was so confused.

The doctor said he would call with lab results within the next three to five days. He was sending the leech out for testing. I wanted to cry. A million things rushed through my head. Was it cancer? Was I going to die? Will I be here for Madison? Will I ever be able to have my own clothing line?

4 days later the phone rang. I still remember how eerie the phone sounded when it rang. It was the doctor's office. They left a message. I needed to return for the results from the biopsy. I couldn't breathe. It was going to be bad news. I just knew it. They would have said something if it was good news.

I returned to the dermatologist's office to discover that I had stage III melanoma. The doctor was afraid it had spread to my lymph nodes since the mole was so big and had grown so deep into my skin tissue. He couldn't believe what I had gone through. They wanted to rush me immediately to John Wayne Cancer Institute to perform a wide excision biopsy, including the blue node biopsy- to see if the tumor had spread. I would probably need a skin graph to cover the enormous wound, which would include the aid of a plastic surgeon. They also discussed chemotherapy, radiation and a multiple of treatments. At that moment, I stopped hearing any words. I wanted to just hold Madison.

I followed the advice of the dermatologist, and after my urgent meetings with the team at John Wayne Cancer Institute, I agreed to have the surgeries performed.

On April 10, 2001, at the age of 27, I was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma. The disease had traveled to my lymph nodes and I had to have seven removed. I had a wide excision biopsy, which meant that they had to remove an inch and a half clearance all around the original 3mm site. I also needed a skin graph- the site was just too big and way too deep to heal by itself. They were afraid the tumor had traveled to my brain or lungs. Numerous tests would reveal- the tumor did not travel outside the lymph nodes. They also told me my survival rate was three to five years.

The wound on my leg was so deep and so big, that a nurse had to come to my house two times a day to bandage and re bandage the wound. I was unable to walk for 30 days. It was hard to take care of my daughter. I was hurting constantly and was struck with fatigue on a daily basis.

After the wound healed, I was referred to an oncologist, near my house, and underwent 30 days of interferon treatment. It was brutal. I had extreme flu symptoms on a daily basis, and couldn't get out of bed for a month. My family came in to help me with Madison. I wouldn't leave the house. My hair fell out. It was a horrible time. They had to take me off interferon after 30 days, because my body could not longer handle it and my white blood cell count kept drastically dropping. My doctor explained that I had received 80% of the treatment and it wasn't necessary to continue. It took four months to recover.

Months went by, and I started getting medical bills bounced back to me. My Health Net Insurance had denied my surgeries, my treatments, my hospital stays, my scans and even the hospice nurses. They had denied almost $200,000.00 in medical bills. I was in a state of panic and confusion. I was a single mom, unable to work. How was I going to pay for all of these bills?

Health Net claimed I had a pre-existing condition. When I filled out my paperwork at registration, they said I didn't check off the box that read: mole.

I was no longer allowed to get Pet Scans, MRI's, X-rays, etc., without having to pay cash. I needed to be scanned every 3 months. I couldn't afford that. My oncologist agreed to see me for regular check ups with no charge. I had to pay for everything else. That was impossible. I still owed $200,000.00 in medical bills.

I tried to get insurance from 9 different health insurance companies, only to receive letters in the mail stating that I was denied. I had no health insurance and lived every single day in fear that my melanoma would re-appear. I became obsessed with Madison being exposed to the sun. I stayed out completely. We put on sun screen every moment we walked outside the door. I wanted her safe. I just wanted to live.

After 4 years, I stopped getting regular check ups and started living my life as a cancer survivor. Again, I had no health insurance, could not afford to get scanned and my oncologist would no longer see me. I owed him close to $50,000.00 in past due invoices. I owed the Imaging Center close to $17,000.00. They would only take me in as a cash patient.

My hair slowly grew back. The symptoms from the interferon finally subsided. My wound healed (there is still a gigantic hole there). My daughter was growing bigger. Hooray-I was still a mommy. I started my own clothing line and lived each day as if I was normal. Of course I was tired, but I kept on going. Of course there were days when I wanted to lay in bed each day, but I was determined to fight this and to fulfill my dreams.

Everything was fine until March, 2008.1 was at my local gym working out, when I suddenly felt dizzy and started seeing little white lights spark in front of me. I thought that I was just exhausted from pushing so hard and because I hadn't eaten anything all morning. Besides I hadn't been inside a gym in over a year. I got down from the Stairmaster and walked into the bathroom to wash my hands. I was looking into the mirror, when I noticed the little white lights again. I felt sleepy, so I walked into the locker room and laid down on the bench.

I closed my eyes....

I awoke in the emergency room at Harbor UCLA hospital, strapped down on a gurney. I was screaming in a state of panic. I had no idea where I was. I didn't know what year I was in. I didn't remember where I lived, or what my name was. I was confused. After a series of tests, and six hours later, they released me from the hospital and told me to make an appointment with a PCP. They told me they couldn't find anything in my test results. They failed to let me know they were preliminary.

Two days passed, and I was on my way to work. I pulled out of my driveway and onto the freeway, when I suddenly felt funny. I couldn't explain the feeling. I just knew something wasn't right. I turned my car around and checked myself back into the emergency room. Later that afternoon, while I was waiting in the hospital, my boyfriend handed me a piece of paper from the hospital, letting me know that I should come back to the hospital. They had found some suspicious information from the MRI and Pet Scan. I was already there, waiting to be admitted. Nine hours went by. I was still waiting.

I was admitted to the hospital and results would show that I had two tumors in my brain and a clump of tumors in my lungs. My melanoma had returned! They also discovered I had a fungal infection that I needed to fight off first. I stayed in the hospital for nine days. They diagnosed me with Stage IV melanoma and told me the prognosis was not good.

Not good at all.

I underwent four weeks of radiation, followed by the first treatment of chemotherapy, on the advice of my oncologist at Harbor UCLA. The infectious disease specialists prescribed me an oral medication (Noxafil) for my fungal infection. I was also prescribed many medications, followed by medications for my side effects from the primary medications. I was in pain. My hair fell out completely. I was always tired. I could not stop coughing and spitting up. I had an upset stomach every morning. But I kept working. I wasn't about to let this disease eat me. I was determined to fight.

My daughter decided to move in with her father, just recently. She said it was too painful to see me and she didn't feel comfortable sleeping next to me. She was afraid she would catch my melanoma. Hearing this was more painful than any tumor or any treatment. I was also losing my little baby to this terrible disease.

With all of these unanswered questions, and several doctors prescribing many medications in a sea of uncertainty, I decided to get a second opinion. I made the decision to call my surgeon and oncologist who saw me in 2001, hoping they would be able to give me a more definitive short term plan, a long term plan, and guide me more effectively since they were melanoma specialists. I knew I didn't have insurance but was hoping they would see me and help me. I was feeling like a number at Harbor UCLA and was traveling along a road of trial and error. I had had enough. This was my life we were talking about. I wanted my daughter back. I wanted to keep my company.

It's May 2008. I have been seeing my two melanoma doctors, Dr. Leland Foshag (surgeon) and Dr. Stephen O'Day (Chief of Research and Director of Melanoma programs) for 1 month now. I had all of my medical records, charts and scans transferred into their care. I qualified for a clinical trial and am currently into my 12 week program. They call the trial 006. Bristol- Myers, the company who sponsors the trial, has agreed to pay for most of the costs. I will still have to pay for doctor visits (which are $440 each), blood tests ($400-600 each), and trial nurse check ups ($250 each). It is a lot of money. But this is my life we are talking about and somehow the financial thing will have to work itself out.

I am still on seizure medication and am not able to drive for six more months. The DMV was kind enough to send me a letter which stated my driving privileges have been suspended until further notice. I go in for checkups with my clinical trial nurse weekly and my infusions continue every three months. I still work every single day. I strongly believe it is all in your mind. I can lie in bed and let this disease eat me or I can get up, get dressed, look in the mirror and thank God for the two things that drive me."

Thank you, Jenifer, for sharing your sister's story - and for allowing me to share it via this Blog.

Alison Bane, the founder of the Olive Jane Company, was like many other young women. She loved life, her daughter, and the outdoors. She had so much going for her; so much to live for, and malignant melanoma cut her life short thus orphaning a little girl. Speaking from experience, losing a mother to cancer forever "scars" a child. Melanoma is the number one killer of women in their 20s and 30s. Please do all you can to protect yourself, and spread the word about proper prevention to others. I have shared other, similar stories about young women who've battled melanoma. Just as breast cancer merits our immediate attention, so does melanoma skin cancer.

To close this entry, here is a poem Alison wrote about her battle with melanoma.

Fight

I will continue to fight so my daughter will come home.
I will continue to fight so my company will grow.
I will continue to fight so my hair will grow back.
I will continue to fight so I can drive again.
I will continue to fight so I can stop coughing for one day.
I will continue to fight until I beat this disease.

- Alison Bane.

Worthy of Remention

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Because July is national Ultraviolet Radiation Awareness month, it seems appropriate to mention - again - a wonderful educational resource that teaches young children about sun safety. (Especially since the sun is our main source of UV exposure.)

As a preschool teacher and cancer educator, I am constantly instilling unique, creative and fun ways to help youth protect themselves from skin cancer. Did you know that 80% of one's lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18? Yet, if we foster a habit of daily [year-round] sunscreen use, and are smart about protecting our skin during the peak hours of 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. when the sun's rays are most intense (even on cloudy, cold days), we can significantly reduce both our and our child's risk of skin cancer.

This issue has, yet again, hit especially close to home for me as one of my very favorite people recently underwent skin cancer surgery. I told my preschoolers about it, in a way they can understand, through use of this delightful book entitled SkinSense. It's a book I had the lovely pleasure of reviewing prior to its publication.

SkinSense, written by licensed clinical social worker, Lori Glickman, features colorful illustrations by her [then] 10-year-old daughter and explains the importance of sun safety in a fun, engaging way that young children can grasp and understand. I highly recommend every parent, early childhood/elementary teacher, health professional and anyone who cares about the safety of our children to get - and give - a copy of SkinSense.

It is important for our children to experience the outdoors, as it provides vast opportunities to engage their motor skills and learn about their environment. Similarly, it's important for them to experience this as safely as possible - this means proper, daily protection against over-exposure to UV rays from the sun.

For more information about ultraviolet radiation, proper sunscreen use, even sun protective clothing, etc., please review the many informative articles on the subject[s] here on this Blog. You can also check out the American Academy of Dermatology.

Here's to being safe in the sun this summer - and all year round. And don't forget to get a copy of SkinSense! My preschoolers love it - and so will you! And while you're at it, visit the official Skin Cancer Awareness store and show your support!

Hello, Again, Cancer Crusaders

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:31:00 +0000

For starters, my apologies for neglecting this blog for so long. In short, circumstances were as such that demanded my personal attention. And, as we all know, we cannot effectively serve the community (much less fight skin cancer) if we don't first take good care of ourselves and the people in our lives. Since my last entry, I changed careers; leaving the professional marketing/public relations world to return to college and pursue a second degree in psychology/dance therapy. Additionally, while in school and changing [some of] my personal goals, routines, etc., I felt it absolutely imperative to invest considerable time doing some real soul searching; because my work with the skin cancer community involved promoting the official National Skin Cancer Awareness [ribbon] Symbol, which was designed by someone else - and not me; the fact that it represents not only a universal symbol for a world-wide [yet highly preventable] epidemic, but something deeply personal to its creator, I felt, in a word, torn. I was torn between the commitments I had made to the skin cancer community, as well as to my former associate and dear friend, and tenaciously trying to find out what course of action would be best for all involved - including myself. For many years, I was operating at lightning speed. Fighting skin cancer was not only something I devoted many volunteer hours in my spare time outside of my "real job"; rather, it had become almost an all-consuming "thing". The line between Danielle, the award-winning cancer crusader and Danielle, the person was disappearing, thus a healthy sense of balance had been lost. At any rate, I desperately needed time to think; to think about how/where I was going, and how the ribbon's creator and family might be feel about pushing it non-stop across the globe (though, they gave me permission to do). Needless to say, I was riddled with tremendous guilt. Establishing The Cancer Crusaders Organization was my dream. It was not only a way for me to honor my mother, whom I lost to cancer, but also a way for me to serve so many individuals in a uniquely widespread, impactful manner. So, how could I need a hiatus?

Summarily, recent news about someone dear to me possibly having to face skin cancer suddenly awakened me to a solution on how to contribute to the cause, pursue my new [additional] dream of promoting dance therapy/psychology, and still having a fulfilled personal life. I'll begin by taking simple, small baby steps. Perhaps, starting with an occasional blog entry/article on skin cancer. Then, inching toward [maybe] finally revising and updating both my three-year-old ONLY SKIN DEEP? Book and my skin cancer curriculum. And, hopefully, eventually doing an original sun safety children's book with one of my best friends. (I collaborated on and edited a sun safety children's book entitled SkinSense by author Lori Glickman, in 2007. Yet, I have long had an idea for another one), and possibly traveling the country speaking again. The key is: I must first maintain balance: Friends/loved ones and spirituality first. Then, school and my new [eventual] career in child psychology/dance therapy. Followed by personal activities, which include cancer crusading on a small scale (at least significantly smaller than years past).

While this may not be ideal to/for the many wonderful colleagues with whom I've worked over the past seven years. It may not make much sense, especially when I had once been doing this 30+ hours a week [voluntarily] writing, speaking, creating curriculum, launching/hosting radio talk shows, promoting global campaigns, etc., thus garnering three Gold Triangle Awards from the American Academy of Dermatology. Yet, I feel really good about this decision. It has taken me a long time to arrive at this conclusion, but I am making it without any guilt nor regret. I can still contribute to a cause that's so very dear-and-dear to my heart; to help raise awareness about the world's most common - yet PREVENTABLE - cancer. I'll just do it on a very small, small scale when it's appropriate. Individuals will still be able to order an official National Skin Cancer Awareness pin, thus both promote and support the cause. (I am working getting that online in an inexpensive - if not "free" - manner that's simple, effective and streamlined.) As for any other projects, we'll see how things play out going forward. The point is: I hope people will understand my to maintain a healthy balance in my life, and keep my priorities straight. Contributing to the cause is important to me, it just isn't my "entire life" anymore. God didn't create me solely for the purpose of cancer crusading. I am, first and foremost, an individual and I must live life honestly and wholly - which includes cultivating and maintaining healthy, meaningful and lasting interpersonal relationships, pursuing my educational/career goals, having time to laugh and savor, and taking care of myself. If I fail to do this, I fail everyone -- including the cause. Fighting cancer is not my life; rather, it's something in my life that I care deeply about - in addition to many other things.

Thus, that's my long overdue update. Again, I feel good about this... I'm going to "go with the flow", so to speak, and see when/where I can fit in some cancer work in a healthy [balanced] way. Until then, I'm taking it day-by-day, trusting that those who know me well with both understand and respect my decision. I must be true to myself, without forgetting to LIVE my life. Over the past year, I believe that I've finally started doing that...

In closing, as we strive to save other's lives, remember to actively LIVE and savor every moment of our life. As we strive to honor those who've lost their lives to cancer, let us not forget to take good care to love and honor and cherish those who are still a live. In the meantime, feel free to check back periodically. Again, we'll see what happens... one step and day-at-a-time.

That is my hope and my prayer.

Here's to living our best life! (and contributing to the cause when/where we can)

Sincerely,
Danielle White
Co-founder/president
The Cancer Crusaders Organization

*Note: While we figure out how to set up donations online again, you are welcome to order official Skin Cancer Awareness pins via "snail-mail". If interested, please email me at: acancerfreeutah@gmail.com and you'll receive instructions on placing a tax-deductible order. You can also order a ton of products - from buttons, stickers, hats, bags, water bottles, mugs, and magnets - featuring the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol at: http://cafepress.com/SkinCancerRibbo. Thank you for your support!

Looking for SkinCancerRibbon.org?

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:05:00 +0000

Many of our readers have inquired about the status of our SkinCancerRibbon.org site. Due to technical difficulties, the site is currently down; however, we have established a [temporary] blog where the latest information regarding the National Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon will be posted. That blog is located at the following URL:

http://skincancerribbon.blogspot.com

Additionally, a variety of previous posts contain a lot of valuable information regarding the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol - and how to get your official pin. So, feel free to surf this blog. If you have any additional questions about the ribbon, the book, and/or our organization, you can send an email to: info@cancercrusaders.org

We should be posting information about winter sun safety and other valuable tips/tools shortly, so keep your eyes peeled. Remember, sun safety is a year-round affair. We invite you to read previous posts and learn more!

The Cancer Crusaders Organization.

UV Safety Month: Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Traditionally, May has been the designated time when national promotional efforts are focused on skin cancer prevention. (Though, in reality, skin cancer prevention is a year-round issue). The subject of skin cancer prevention/sun safety has resurfaced this month - July has been officially named "UV Safety Month".

Speaking of UV safety, particularly in relation to skin cancer prevention, I'm reprising a Blog post I wrote last year that describes (in laymen's terms) how ultraviolet radiation works - it’s dangers, why we need to be aware of it, and how to protect ourselves:

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, sunburns, 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. Major organs at risk from exposure to UVR include 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 (rated at UPF 50+), a wide-brimmed hat, UV protective sunglasses and SPF 30 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. Additionally, everyone should avoid tanning beds. There is NO SUCH THING AS A SAFE TAN!

Q. What is the UV Index?

A. Some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable; however, too much could be dangerous. Overexposure to 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

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 SPF 30 sunscreen (see www.bluelizard.net) and UPF 50+ sun-safety clothing (see UVSkinz.com).

For more information about quality sunscreens and sun protective clothing, see previous Blog posts.

That being said, UVSkinz is extending its offer to give a FREE UV protective shirt (with every purchase) until August to celebrate UV Safety. Please see www.UVSkinz.com to learn more about how you can get a free UPF 50+ (SPF 30) sun-safety shirt for your family.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology & ARPANZA.

Copyright. Danielle M. White, The Cancer Crusaders Organization 2005-2008.

Get a FREE Sun Safety Shirt - NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Sun safety doesn't mean you have to keep the kids cooped up inside all summer long; rather, effectively protecting them from over-exposure to UV rays. More than 95% of skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to UV rays. Therefore, this ever-growing cancer is largely preventable – if we are proactive about protecting ourselves and our children. This means proactive, year-round (and daily) sun safety! (Refer to previous Blog posts about sun safety for kids and the danger of ultraviolet radiation.)

In addition to properly applying sunscreen every day (even on cloudy and cold days), leading dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology recommend wearing quality sun protective clothing. The sun protective clothing available through UVSkinz.com is rated at UPF 50+ (the highest rating) which blocks out >97.5% of UV rays. It’s equivalent to an SPF 30 sunscreen. Together, the proper application of an effective broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen (like Blue Lizard Sensitive or Baby) and wearing quality UPF 50+ sun protective clothing (like those available at UVSkinz.com) provides superb UV protection.

In effort to help families teach their children about the importance of sun safety, UVSkinz.com will be giving away one free UV protective shirt to each family from now until the end of June. UV Skinz founder, Rhonda Sparks, is giving away a free sun protective shirt to honor her husband, Darren, whom she lost to melanoma. Darren, a father of three young children, was only 32-year-old when malignant melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – claimed his life. June commemorates his birthday.

So, from now until June 30th, get a free UV protective shirt for your family through UVSkinz.com. For more information, send an email to: info@uvskinz.com. This is a great opportunity get your hands on quality sun protective apparel this summer! And, don’t forget to apply the sunscreen! (Read previous Blog posts about proper sunscreen application.)

Stay tuned for more information about tips and tools to help educate your children/family about effective sun protection.

Note: The free sun-safe shirt give-away is exclusively through UVSkinz.com. For information and other details, please visit their site. The give-away will go until June 30, 2008. Please take note of the rules regarding the give-away when logging on to www.UVSkiz.com. (The shirts are free with ANY purchase). Please contact UV Skinz for more details.

Introducing a Great Sun Safety Tool for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:45:00 +0000

Many of us have heard about the dangers of over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and its direct link to an increased risk for skin cancer. Yet, how many of us proactively protect ourselves – and our children?

The risk for skin cancer is not hype; rather, it’s a very real threat. More than 1.3-million Americans will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer this year – including melanoma, the deadliest form. In fact, melanoma kills more women in their 20s and 30s than any other cancer. Melanoma is even being seen in young children.

It's true - skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer, and the fastest growing cancer in the United States.

The good news: Skin cancer is largely preventable if we’re proactive about year-round sun protection.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80% of one’s lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18. In other words, if a child suffers one “blistering” sunburn before they reach 18, their risk for skin cancer as an adult dramatically increases (by approximately 60%).

These staggering statistics illustrate a growing epidemic that requires proactive prevention. This includes proper, regular application of a quality broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen – year-round (even on cold, cloudy days). Before your child goes outside, be sure to apply a shotglass amount of a quality broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen all over their body (don’t forget the ears, backs of necks, tops of feet, and hands). Do this approximately 20 minutes before they go outdoors. Then, reapply sunscreen every hour. If your child is under the age of six months, consult your dermatologist for advice. (Infants that young shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.) Begin the process of daily sunscreen application when your children are young to foster a lifelong habit of proper sun protection. And, as with any important lesson, children learn best from example; therefore, parents should be applying sunscreen every day and reapplying it every two hours.

For more information about how sunscreens work, how to choose a quality sunscreen, and how to maximize sunscreen efficacy, please surf the Blog to view articles discussing this topic.

In the meantime, here’s a great educational tool to help teach your children about the importance of sun safety:

SKIN SENSE, written by social worker/mother Lori Glickman, is the first – and only – children’s book that teaches young children about sun safety/skin cancer prevention. Written in the voice of a four-year-old girl, it’s engaging and easy to understand. Order your copy today at www.UVSKINZ.com.

" [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.” - Dr. Katherine Bell, dermalogist, Texas.

Blue Lizard Free Sample Update

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Thank you for your interest in Blue Lizard Australian Suncream.

At this time, we have reached our cap for sample requests. Because we're a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteers, our resources are limited. Therefore, we can only accomodate so many requests at-a-time.

When we initially promoted this offer, we had no idea there would be such a surge of interest. Therefore, we set a cap between 500 - 1,000 samples max.

We're thrilled that so many people responded favorably, and are encouraged to see such an interest in sun protection. Indeed, there is a great deal of work still yet to be done to educate our communities about skin cancer prevention.

While we have reached our current cap, we do plan to offer free sunscreen samples again in the future. We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, please read the blog often for skin cancer prevention education tips and updates.

Thank you, again, for your interest - and for helping us fight skin cancer.

Yours in the fight,
The Cancer Crusaders Organization

*Note: We offer(ed)free samples of Blue Lizard Australian Sunscream independently as a public service/educational tool because it's recommended by leading dermatologists. This offer was/is not affiliated with Blue Lizard in any way. We do not make a practice of endorsing products; rather, we donate our time, energy and resources to raising awareness about skin cancer prevention/sun safety. To purchase Blue Lizard sunscreen, please visit www.bluelizard.net. Thank you.

Show you care, Support the cause

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:14:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again – it’s summer time.

Spending more time outdoors means we need to be especially careful about proper sun protection. As many of you know, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world.

While skin cancer incidence continues to rise, the good news is: It’s preventable!

On this blog, you’ll find a variety of helpful tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from skin cancer. Everything from choosing the right sunscreen to proper application, to performing self skin exams – it’s all available here on the blog. So, take a few minutes to read through it. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send me an email at info@cancercrusaders.org.

Another great site for valuable skin cancer prevention information is www.aad.org – this is the official site of the American Academy of Dermatology. You can also pick up a copy of our book -ONLY SKIN DEEP? at Barnes & Noble online.

As we continually work to stem the tide of skin cancer through increased awareness and prevention education, we ask for your support.

By donating $5.00 you’ll get a Skin Cancer Awareness pin featuring the official National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol®.

To get your official Skin Cancer Awareness pin, and help support the cause, simply click below:

Thank you for your support!

Here's to your health,

Danielle, co-founder/president
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
PO BOX 2076 Provo, Utah 84603

(please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery of pins).

** Show you care -- send a picture of yourself wearing the Skin Cancer Awarenss pin, and you can get a special "thank you" gift from The Cancer Crusaders Organization.

Yes, I still care!

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:22:00 +0000

Today is May 30th which means it’s the last day of the month. Moreover, today marks the last day of national Skin Cancer Awareness month. It signifies the first Skin Cancer Awareness month in five years when I haven’t been proactively pushing the cause.

I feel so guilty!

Some cancer crusader I am, huh? The co-founder of The Cancer Crusaders Organization – the proud home of the official Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon – has neglected to host an event or even publicly acknowledge the cause this month. No speech or seminar, no conference or fundraiser – I haven’t even written any educational articles or blogged about skin cancer/sun safety this month.

In truth, I’ve been feeling guilty about this all month. Cancer crusading used to be a full-time [volunteer] job for me – I’d put in countless hours of work into it. After spending a full day at my real job for 8 or even 12 hours, I’d devote more hours working into the night (not to mention the hours spent on volunteering my weekends). The lack of time, resources, and manpower didn’t matter. I was passionate. I was relentless. I was dedicated. I was a “cancer crusader”.

I’m still a cancer crusader, though. I still wear the official Skin Cancer Awareness pin on my jacket lapel. But, I don’t wear it on my shirt every single solitary day like I used to for nearly four years. I still have a gallon jug of Blue Lizard Australian Suncream next to the front door of my apartment, and carry travel-sized bottles of it in my purse. I’m still the Willy Wonka of sunscreen samples, disbursing them freely whenever I hear someone’s been burnt or spends gratuitous amount of time outdoors without protection. Yet, I have about 50 emails requesting free samples to be mailed that I haven’t even answered. I think about those emails everyday thinking I’ll have a chance to answer them/send them samples, but by the time a free moment arrives I’m getting ready for bed. I just can’t seem to pull all-nighters anymore – I need at least seven hours of sleep to be functional at my job; my livelihood. Besides, walking eight blocks to the post office in the middle of the night isn’t exactly a wise idea). I still cringe with annoyed disgust at advertisements that promote tanning beds and perpetuate misleading/false information about sunscreens – I’m still tempted to write a letter in complaint. I still think about updating the ONLY SKIN DEEP? Book, and finally finishing the second one that’s about 80% done. (Actually, it’s been written but still needs some tweaking/editing/revision/reorganization.) I still pray for people I know touched by the disease, read the monthly email blasts the EPA sends to stay abreast of current trends and pertinent issues related to skin cancer/sun safety, I still try to help others with their skin cancer projects (i.e., Skin Sense), and I still wish there was more that I could do. I STILL CARE.

[But] life happens.

As the years pass, there are different things that demand our immediate attention. Our priorities don’t necessarily change, per se; rather, certain priorities require different things – a different level of personal investment and commitment – at different times in our life. As we grow and progress, our priorities grow (and “adjust”) along with us. I suppose it’s all part of the natural ebb and flow of life. And, realistically, I’m not the “same” person I was five years ago when I was traveling hither-and-yon across the state with my cancer crusading sidekick Miss Utah Natalie Johnson-Hatch (the creator of the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol®) promoting sun safety 24/7. And, to be honest, a part of me is glad for that. I’m grateful for the personal and professional growth I’ve experienced since then. I’m looking forward to further growth and progression as I strive to be the person HE wants me to be.

It’s not that I don’t care about cancer crusading. I’m still a cancer crusader. I just don’t do it exactly the same way I used to; I give in different ways now because certain priorities have required a certain amount of personal investment and commitment. The timing may have changed slightly, thus I am unable to devote AS MUCH TIME to the cause as I once did (and would like to). Yet, I still care.

I just show that care differently. I suppose it’s more internal than external. (Does that make sense?)

I have received many, many comments from partners in the skin cancer community wondering why “you don’t do as much – if anything – for the cause anymore, Danielle.” They ask, “don’t you care about it anymore? You used to be so passionate. You used to do so much.”

Yes! I still care.

And I still do a lot – just a lot of different “stuff”. I’m diligently working so that I can do exceptionally well at my career, so that I can achieve job security – pay my bills, pay off my student loans, and be a responsible adult like everyone else (and, course, donate to the cause). I’m preparing for GRAD school. I’m devoting more time to my spiritual pursuits so that I can strengthen my relationship with God. I’m taking care of myself – something that I’ve really neglected to do over the years. I’ve always felt so guilty about investing in myself. I much rather serve, care for and love others than think about myself. Yet, I’ve paid some pretty high prices for not properly caring for myself or investing in my personal well-being and growth. A good friend recently said to me, rather abruptly: “You can’t help anyone else unless you help yourself!” And while the delivery of the message may not have been ideal, and as much I really regret having driven someone I care about to such extreme frustration, the truth of the message is, more or less, irrefutable.

So, I’m taking the time to help myself so that, in time, I can truly help others more effectively and bless others’ lives.

Perhaps, in a way, I’m doing more for the cancer community – and my friends – than I ever have before… Either way, I’m still doing what I can – right now.

Take Nothing for Granted: Sun Protection a Year-Round Affair

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:32:00 +0000

Many of my readers will likely remember the story of Tiffany Berg, and her husband Paul – a two-time skin cancer survivor. After years of skiing, snowboarding, and failing to wear any sunscreen caught up to him Christmas 2004, when Paul was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. What, at first, to be a pesky sore began growing up through the epithelial layer of his mouth, and through his nasal cavity. Unfortunately, the first round of “natural” treatments did not work. The squamous cell carcinoma returned. Yet, after several rounds of radiation, and serious re constructive surgery to repair his mouth and face, Paul's skin cancer was removed and he was deemed to be “cancer-free.”

Alas, Paul's skin cancer returned three years later. As of December 25, 2007, Paul had a two-inch tumor removed from his lower right jaw. The squamous cell carcinoma had returned. As such, the father of five is now undergoing six weeks of radiation treatment.

When Tiffany told me that Paul's skin cancer had returned, I was – in a word – stunned. I was reminded that we must not taking anything for granted—not even skin cancer!

While squamous cell carcinoma is generally 90-95% treatable when found in its early stages, it has the potential for metasis if left untreated. In other words, it can grow and spread to other parts of the body thus becoming potentially life-threatening. Hence, it is vitally important that we perform regular skin exams each month, and visit the dermatologist every year. Moreover, we must be vigilant about wearing an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen all year-round—even during the winter. So, winter sports enthusiasts beware – ultraviolet radiation is highly reflective off of water and snow. The UV exposure from above is akin to double-whammy; therefore, be sure to protect your skin—especially your face and mouth—with proper sunscreen. And remember, to reapply sunscreen at least once every two hours (every hour if you are skiing/snowboarding at particularly high altitudes for an extended period of time).

Consider the following statistics recently released from a study conducted by Patricia Ayanbadejo, a scientist for the Internet Journal of Dentistry and Primary Orofacial Squamous Cell Carcinoma:

“Squamous cell carcinoma of the orofacial region [mouth and face] is an insidious and potentially life-threatening malignant neoplasm representing more than 90% of all head and neck cancers”, Ayanbadejo says.

In layman's terms, this means that squamous cell carcinoma can be potentially deadly if left untreated, and that it accounts for nearly all head/neck-related cancers.

Yet, the good news is that since squamous cell carcinoma (like other skin cancers) is largely attributable to cumulative sun exposure, it is largely preventable. Skin cancer is preventable if we are proactive about proper sun protection—all day, every day, even on cloudy and cold days.

Ye winter sports enthusiasts have been warned. Take nothing for granted. Remember, ultraviolet radiation is reflective—highly reflective off of snow and water. Hence, it is imperative that you apply a quality broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to all exposed parts of your body—especially your face and lips. To learn more about how ultraviolet radiation works, and the importance of proper application (and reapplication) of a quality sunscreen, please read the hyperlinked articles. For a free sample of Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen to take with you as you hit the slopes (or whenever you venture outdoors), please contact The Cancer Crusaders Organization at info@cancercrusaders.org

Skin cancer is preventable only if we are proactive about proper year-round sun protection, as well as regular skin exams. So, be sure to take the proper precautions NOW to protect yourself from a future skin cancer diagnosis. Parents of young children under the age of 18, should adequately protect their children from UV exposure especially since 80% of one's lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18.

Additionally, if you have had skin cancer removed in the past, be sure and follow-up with your dermatologist-oncologist so to avoid recurrence. “Regular examination of the skin, especially of the head and neck if you have had orofacial skin cancers removed in the past is particularly important during the first two years of treatment, when 90% of recurrences develop,” says Ayanbadejo. “Local recurrence, or development of new primary tumors, is particularly common in patients who have been treated for cancer in the upper aerodigestive [lips, mouth, tongue, nose, throat, vocal cords, and part of the esophagus and windpipe] tract,” she says. “These patients are not only at risk for cancer in the head and neck region (recurrences and second primaries) but also of developing cancer in other parts of the body, particularly the lungs or esophagus.”

Again, skin cancer is preventable. Yet, it is also the most common cancer in the world. As such, it is imperative that we make sun protection a year-round affair, even during the winter months. While we may think that sun exposure will not directly effect us now, the cumulative exposure can—and does—lead to a heightened risk for skin cancer in the future. As Paul Berg once said in an interview conducted in 2005, after his second bought of skin cancer, “as kids we had no idea that the sun could hurt us.”

With that, take nothing for granted. Be proactive and protect your skin—all day, every day—for life! Skin cancer is not a summer-time only disease; rather, sun protection is a year-round affair.

For more information, check out the American Academy of Dermatology.

(Note: Special, updated edition of ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources coming soon.)

An Introduction to The World's Most Common Cancer – Skin Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:26:00 +0000

A Growing Epidemic

Recently, the National Cancer Institute reported that the overall cancer mortality in the United States has been slowly declining since 2006. Breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer have seen a reduction in number of deaths; however, melanoma—the most lethal form of skin cancer is continually on the rise. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports that more than 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with a form of skin cancer this year alone. They further report that melanoma skin cancer kills more women in their 20s and 30s than any other cancer—even exceeding lung and breast cancer, which were once considered to be the two most common cancer-related deaths for women in 2005. To bring this issue into more stark perspective, melanoma skin cancer incidence in the United States has increased by more than 6,000% in the past century, according to the both the AAD; every hour someone in the United States succumbs to melanoma skin cancer.

Before we examine why the skin cancer rate is increasing by near epidemic proportions in the U.S., and abroad, we must first understand what skin cancer is; how it develops, the different types, the signs and symptoms, including risk factors.

As mentioned in a previous article, cancer is the uncontrolled growth of mutated, abnormal, and immature cells in the body. Therefore, simply put, skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of immature cells in the skin.

Skin Cancer Basics

That said, there are three basic types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma—the deadliest form. Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, refers to the location from which the lesion derives. In other words, the encyclopedic definition of basal cell carcinoma is a cancer that originates in a layer of skin (the basal layer) beneath the epidermis (the top, uppermost layer). Basal cell carcinomas are typically seen as a raised nodule, much like a wart or a lump, or even as reddish scaly sore. Basal cell carcinomas may also have a glossy, pearl-like tone to them.1 While basal cell carcinomas seldom metastasize (spread), they can, if left untreated, spread to the lymph or blood vessels. Fortunately, basal cell carcinoma is 90-95% treatable if caught and treated while in its early stages.

The second most common form of skin cancer is, as mentioned earlier, squamous cell carcinoma. Akin to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma originates from epithelial tissue (a sheet of closely packed tissue that lines both external and internal bodily organs). Squamous cells are flat and often overlapping; they compose the epidermis and line certain internal cavities such as the mouth. Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas usually appear on areas of the body that have been [over] exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds. Common areas for a squamous cell carcinoma to appear include the face (nose, inside/outside of the mouth), scalp, neck, ears, chest, hands, and legs. In rare instances, squamous cell carcinoma can be found in other parts of the body that are typically not exposed to UV rays (i.e., the prostate or vagina). Yet, in nearly all instances, squamous cell carcinoma appears as the result of prolonged, over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

You will notice that squamous cell carcinoma looks much like a sore. A persistent sore that will not heal after four or more weeks may be indicative of a possible squamous cell carcinoma. When in doubt, consult a board certified dermatologist. When properly treated, in its early stages, the cure rate for squamous cell carcinoma is approximately 90%. However, squamous cell carcinomas left untreated may spread to the lymph nodes and other surrounding areas, perhaps even becoming a malignant melanoma - an aggressive, and potentially lethal form of cancer.

Melanoma skin cancer may be the rarest form, but it is the most dangerous and lethal form of skin cancer. Whereas, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas share similar characteristics, melanoma is in a class by itself. It is an entirely separate form of skin cancer. Melanoma is also unique in comparison to other cancers in myriad ways. This is largely due to its particularly aggressive nature. In fact, more than 85% of skin cancer-related deaths are due to melanoma.

Once uncommon, melanoma kills more women in their 20s and 30s than any other form of cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In fact, we have seen a 10% increase in melanoma incidence since 2006. It is estimated that 105,750 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year alone, with more than 8,000 of those resulting in death. In other words, melanoma kills another American every hour.

Deadly, but Preventable

Despite these staggering statistics, melanoma – like other skin cancers – is largely preventable. Because more than 90% of skin cancers are caused by prolonged over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds, it is preventable. Yet, melanoma is a very serious, even potentially deadly form of cancer.

So as to provide you with a clearer understanding of what melanoma is, let us dissect it. If we cut word melanoma in half, we have two separate words – mela and noma. The root mela comes from the word melanocytes, which are cells in the skin (located beneath the epidermis) that are responsible for producing pigmentation. The latter half of the term – noma – comes from the word carcinoma, which is a term referring to cancers of the body's external tissues and organs such as the skin. In fact, skin is the largest bodily organ!

Contrary to popular belief, melanoma is not a disease restricted to individuals with fair skin. Anyone with skin is at-risk for melanoma. While it is true that fair-skinned persons are at higher risk for melanoma skin cancer (Caucasian-Americans are 20 times more likely than African Americans to develop melanoma), melanoma is not a respecter of persons. In fact, popular Jamaican Reggae singer Bob Marley died of malignant melanoma, at age 36. So, simply put, anyone can get melanoma. Hence, it is imperative that we are proactive about protecting our skin from over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and are equally proactive about monthly self-skin exams and annual visits to the dermatologist.

To learn more, check out ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources. (Revised, Special edition due out soon!)

Copyright. Danielle M. White, The Cancer Crusaders Organization 2005-2008.

Cancer Crusaders Strike Gold Again

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:57:00 +0000

For Immediate Release: December 10, 2007
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
info@cancercrusaders.org

Cancer Crusaders strike Gold again with one-of-kind skin cancer program for youth

Provo, UTAH (December 10, 2007) – Winter hardly seems the appropriate time to be discussing skin cancer prevention, but The Cancer Crusaders Organization knows that sun safety is a year-round affair.

The Cancer Crusaders Organization, an all-volunteer non-profit skin cancer education facility for young adults based in Utah, announces that it will be honored with the prestigious Gold Triangle Award by the American Academy of Dermatology for excellence in dermatology education. This will be third consecutive year that The Cancer Crusaders Organization will receive the honor.

“When we started Cancer Crusaders, one of our main objectives was to introduce a national ribbon symbol for Skin Cancer Awareness,” says Danielle M. White, co-founder and president of The Cancer Crusaders Organization. “We also wanted to recruit young adults in the crusade against skin cancer by developing unique and interactive ways to appeal to them, inspire them, and educate them. [This way] they can then raise the next generation of sun-savvy youth.”

White, who established The Cancer Crusaders Organization with friend and colleague Natalie Johnson-Hatch, a former Miss Utah, says focusing on skin cancer is a message of hope.

“While skin cancer is the most common, and fastest growing cancer in the world, it is also the most preventable. In fact, 90-95% of skin cancer is caused by over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning beds; therefore it is largely preventable!” White adds that since more than 80% of one's lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18, it is vital that we teach young adults now, so that when they become parents they can protect their children. "By educating youth, we can stem the tide of this growing epidemic," she says.

As such, White spent the better part of 2005 and 2006 developing a pilot program called ONLY SKIN DEEP? Peer Educator's Training and Certification Program, which featured interactive academic lessons, tools, and other materials to teach youth about skin cancer. The program was then launched in 2006 as a test run to train high school and college students to become peer educators. “The primary objective of this peer education program is to involve young adults; to train them to teach their peers about the importance of basic skin and environmental health, skin cancer prevention, and sun safety,” White said. Students, after completing the eight week course, were then asked to complete assignments, take a final exam, write an essay, and perform various community service projects where they taught others about what they learned through the peer education program.

“The test run was very well-received,” White said. “One of our students, a junior at Southern Utah University, hosted several skin cancer awareness events in her community. She even got the city mayor involved!” White says that this student's essay was “so impressive” that she included it in her recently published book about skin cancer. “We received such valuable feedback from the students who participated in the pilot run, we have been diligently working to update the program [to make it] available to all melanoma skin cancer foundations, educational facilities, even the AAD in 2008/2009.”

White continues, “the message of skin cancer prevention – how important it is to take the necessary precautions, such as year-round sunscreen use, avoiding tanning beds, examining your skin – tends to be more meaningful to youth when it is received by a peer. This is why we developed the first—and--only curriculum that trains youth to teach others about skin cancer.” White says that if high schools and colleges, as well as other melanoma skin cancer organizations, utilize this program, “we can really up the ante, so to speak, when it comes raising awareness and protecting people from this disease!”

For more information about the program, about the Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon, or the Organization itself, please contact us at 801.863.6351 or at info@cancercrusaders.org

###

The Cancer Crusaders Organization is a 501 [c] [3] non-profit founded in 2004 by Natalie Johnson-Hatch and Danielle M. White, and serves as the proud home of the National Skin Cancer Awareness Symbol(R).

First Sun Safety Book For Children Released This Month

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:13:00 +0000

News Release

A Book On Skin Cancer Prevention To Reach Children Soon

PROVO, Utah (October 11, 2007) - 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 ages two to eight and is hoped to reach young children across the nation. Along with preschools and daycares, the book will be sent to dermatology and cancer societies across the United States.
“Eighty percent of one’s lifetime’s sun damage occurs before age 18,” said Danielle 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, a young mother from Florida, to create this book for elementary students.Glickman offered to do the project because she knew the importance of teaching children about sun safety now. Glickman’s 10-year-old daughter, Claudia Glickman, 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.”
The book will be available through The Cancer Crusaders Organization to anybody who wants to increase awareness. All funds from the book are going to skin cancer education and training programs throughout the nation. The book will hopefully be used by teachers as a part of their curriculum. There are currently no required skin cancer education programs in Utah schools, where The Cancer Crusaders Organization is based, but the award-winning Organization is hoping this book will help change that quickly.
“I’d like to see all the preschools, daycares and elementary schools have a copy of the book,” White said. “The kids could check it out at the library and show their parents what they learned about prevention.”

To order copies of Skin Sense, please send a tax-deductible donation of $10.99 to The Cancer Crusaders Organization at PO BOX 2076 Provo, Utah 84603.

For a limited time only! Get a $1.00 off of your copy of SKIN SENSE, by purchasing it online here:

Press Contact:
Laura Bird
cancercrusaderspr@gmail.com

Danielle M. White
info@cancercrusaders.org

When Skin Cancer Hits Close to Home

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:32:00 +0000

I receive numerous emails every week from patients and family members touched by skin cancer. Every time someone openly shares their story with me, my heart aches for them. If only there was a way from me to reach through the computer screen and give them a warm embrace; to hug them for as long as it takes for their pain to dissipate.

Today, however, when I received a email, accompanied with a picture, my reaction was more of shock as it hit particularly close to home. In fact, the shock and disbelief has me nearly paralyzed.

My friend, Carly's mom has skin cancer. "CathyMom" as I have affectionately called her for the past five years, has been diagnosed with a fast-growing form of squamous-cell carcinoma (the second most commonly diagnosed form of skin cancer). Apparently what she thought was merely a pesky sore has been growing up through her nasal cavity and headed for her eye. Suddenly, a sense of deja vu hit me. It was three years ago when my friend Tiffany husband Paul (who is featured in my book ONLY SKIN DEEP?) was diagnosed with a fast-growing squamous cell carcinoma, as a result of pesky sore that too was growing up through his nasal cavity and headed for his eyes. Fortunately, Paul survived, but not without severe facial disfiguration (which, has actually been corrected thanks to Dr. Robert Hunter of Salt Lake City). And CathyMom's prognosis now is pretty good. She has to go in for another set of surgeries and tests, but the dermatologist believes he's "got it all" after multiple surgeries, biopsies, laser burns, and reconstruction.

I just couldn't believe my eyes when I ready CathyMom's email. Why didn't Carly call me? (Oh, yes, she is always the tough one who never wants anyone to worry). Why am I just barely finding out about it now, weeks later? (Yes, Cathy is the very same way. Like mother, like daughter).

After talking with CathyMom on the phone for about 45 minutes, I think that she's holding up better than I am. (Though, I didn't let her hear a tear in my voice.)

I just couldn't believe it when they told me that I had skin cancer! I thought to myself, I haven't had a sunburn or went tanning since I was a teenager. But, then again, I came from the generation that practically bathed in Baby Oil and burned ourselves to a crisp to get a tan. I was so vain, and now I'm paying the price for it. To think if I hadn't gone in when I did, I could be facing something even more serious like melanoma.

I explained to her that sun damage and the UV damage caused my tanning beds has a cumulative affect on our skin. Hence, the reason why it is so important that we protect our children from the sun and discourage young adults from frequenting tanning beds.

I have heard you and Natalie talk about it for several years now, but I don't think Carly and I really understood just how serious skin cancer is...but now, now I know.

I just wish that she didn't have to face a skin cancer diagnosis to realize just how serious skin cancer really is, and how vitally important it is for all of us to adopt a lifetime of proper sun safety (and avoid tanning beds) from day one.

Moments after talking with Cathy, and then with Carly (and reminicsing about our silly pageant days. Carly was first runner-up to Miss Utah 2005 and 1st runner-up at the National Sweethearts Pageant), I received another email from a woman in Pennsylvania was just diagnosed with malignant melanoma--the deadliest form of skin cancer.

I have melanoma now because I've frequented tanning beds for the past 20 years. My vanity has caught up me, she said.

Immediately after reading this email, I received another one from a parent in Louisiana wanting to know if there were any interactive educational tools she could use to teach her kids about sun safety. I told her that our book SKIN SENSE was coming out next week; it's a colorful children's book written for kids ages two and eight. (Incidentally, I was informed by the EPA this week that their SunWise program has been cut, and now aren't any free public education programs for children about sun safety. It appears SKIN SENSE will be the only resource akin to it available).

At any rate, it never ceases to blow my mind just how many lives skin cancer touches. More than 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed skin cancer this year alone, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It's the ONLY cancer that is rising. Yet, it is also the most PREVENTABLE cancer.

This morning I was thinking "What if I stopped doing skin cancer work? Would anyone even notice? Am I even making a difference?" You see, I recently lost my best friend (who wrote the afterword to my book). Oh how I miss her terribly! And so, this morning, while thinking about my dearly missed and beloved friend, I was thinking that perhaps I have nothing left to give to anyone including the skin cancer community, despite my good intentions (and the fact that I have so many projects on my To-Do List for skin cancer).

Perhaps, these emails I received today is Heavenly Father's way of saying "YES YOU DO HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE TO THE SKIN CANCER COMMUNITY! THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WORK TO DO TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM SKIN CANCER. SO, KEEP CRUSADING!"

And so I will... Even though I wonder if the work I'm doing is making a difference, I'm still fighting the good fight and praying that I can, in some small (yet significant) way protect someone else from having to face this disease. How can I tell Carly, whose mom has skin cancer, that I've given up, especially when I lost my own mother to [breast] cancer. I suppose, though I often doubt my ability to do any good in the world and feel heavy laden by the burdens upon my back, I cannot deny how compelled I feel to heed that prompting within that says "Keep Crusading! Keep Fighting the Good Fight." Though, it was my dear, dear friend and co-founder Natalie (a former Miss Utah) that really got this ball rolling, the cause for skin cancer prevention education has made a nest in my heart that continues to hatch and give me wings.

So, here's to my favorite would-be queen Carly Lynne and her mom Cathy, and all those touched by skin cancer --

God Bless,
Danielle.

The photo above is of Cathy just after her third surgery.

An Ounce of Prevention, worth a pound of Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:33:00 +0000

I just barely came from the dermatologist's office. In fact, it was exactly 13 minutes ago. (My office is but a mere block away from my dermatologist's office - how perfectly convenient, especially when you're a patron of the public transit system.) Ironically, this visit to the dermatologist landed during our 1st Annual Dermatologists' Appreciation Week (this was not planned, by the way, though it definitely reeks of me.) Actually, I have been meaning to go the dermatologist for weeks. Every time I scheduled an appointment, some all-too-important project with an insanely pressing deadline would come up at work (you know, my "real job"; the one that pays the bills, because skin cancer crusading, though my life's mission, is what I do in my spare time - voluntarily). And, as such, I would have to cancel my dermatologist's appointment. Fortunately, the two new moles I found while performing my monthly self-skin exams didn't look atypical or suspicious; however, the sheer fact that they were new was cause for concern. Finally, my dermatologist called me on my cell phone and said "No matter what time of the day, I'll be available to get those moles taken care of, Danielle." In other words, "Drag your hind parts on over here, Danielle, NOW!"

And I did.

This morning, after getting out of the shower, I performed my monthly self-skin exam for September. I wanted to double-check those two new moles that I found earlier and examine all my other moles. I, thanks to both my mother and father, have numerous dysplastic (abnormal) moles and a high-risk for melanoma skin cancer. Additionally, melanoma is most common among women in their 20s and 30s, and since I'm 28 -- and a skin cancer educator, I wanted to be thoroughly prepared for my dermatologist's visit today. It was wise to examine my moles this morning. It turns out that one of the new moles I found (on my right thigh) had changed. In fact, it had grow rather large. And since ANY change in a mole - whether it be a previous mole or a new one - is a red flag, it was a good thing that I was going to get it cut off and biopsied today. Moreover, the other new mole (located behind my left knee), though it hadn't grown laterally across my skin, it apparently had burrowed beneath the epidermis (top uppermost part of the skin - the layer you can see) and the dermis (the layer skin just below) and into the subcutaneous tissue (the third layer of skin that contains fat and connective tissue and houses the larger blood vessels). YIKES! A mole that's burrowing beneath the skin and into the subcutaneous tissue is definitely cause for concern.

"Boy, am I so very glad you came in today and asked me to look at this mole on your leg, Danielle. It's deep. It definitely needs to be biopsied. The mole on your hip - the one that you said was changing, wasn't very deep, but it's definitely going to the lab. By the way, Danielle. Since I saw you last (in April), I have removed three melanomas off of women who are also in their 20s! I also removed a couple of suspicious moles off a little girl."

Then, Carrie the dermatologist, proceeded to excise an additional mole on my back.

"There is another one on your back, and that one on your left shoulder that you mentioned that I want to take care of when you come back in two weeks to get your stitches removed," she said. "In the meantime, these are going to lab."

"We caught the one on my leg early enough that it won't be an issue, right?" I asked.

"More than likely, the lab reports will come back clean like the others. Yet, if you hadn't come in today, I might be telling you something different. We may have had an issue on our hands," she said. "But, I know how vigilant you are about checking your skin, protecting yourself from the sun. I mean, you're the skin cancer crusader. You're apart of the American Academy of Dermatology! I don't worry too much about you delaying action on something suspicious. I'm just glad that my schedule was finally in-sync with yours so we can get this taken care of early, before it became something more serious."

(Did I mention that my dermatologist stayed after hours just to accommodate me? Oh, and yes, she even gave me her cell phone number so that I could call her "anytime day or night, if I have a concern about another mole" or if the excision spots "don't heal quickly and there's any sign of infection" Truly, this is a dermatologist who cares about her patients. And, it's an added blessing to have my dermatologist has become my friend. In fact, she wanted to know if I'd be in Vegas for the AAD meeting so we could "hang out together!")

Wow! Reflecting back on it all, I can't help but think...

If I had ignored it or dismissed it as "nothing" (which I sort of thought it was "nothing" except that it was new, and it was larger than 6mm), I may be facing more than a series of stitches and some soreness; rather, a possible melanoma diagnosis.

Ah, yet another testament to the necessity of monthly skin exams, as well as the importance of being willing to open your mouth and ask your dermatologists those important questions! Indeed, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment. (I talk a lot about ways to build a relationship with your dermatologist and being your own best advocate in my book ONLY SKIN DEEP?)

With that, take a few minutes today, after getting out of the shower, to perform a thorough self skin exam. Take digital photos of your moles and start cataloging them to monitor any potential changes over time. (Don't forget to print these photos off, date them and catalog them). Get your spouse to help you out with those hard to reach places such as your back, backs of your legs and even your scalp (a common place for melanomas to appear). Write down any questions and concerns you may have for your dermatologist in a notebook and bring it with you to your next appointment. (I suggest keeping a record of all your dermatologist's visits - date, what happened during the appointment, and keep that information in the same notebook along with your questions and photos.)

It is just too important; you can't neglect your skin (or your body, in general). Remember - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment.

Here here.

Yours in the fight,
Danielle & The Cancer Crusaders Organization

(Note: Pictures of those moles Dr. Carrie removed today will be coming shortly).

PS: Ladies, here's an idea - since we all be going in for our annual mammograms next month (to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month), why don't you book an appointment with the dermatologist for your annual full body skin exams, too. This way, you're fighting off two deadly cancers in one month! Remember, breast cancer is important (I know, it killed my mother)and so is melanoma skin cancer. In fact, melanoma skin cancer is the only cancer that's on the rise. Yet, it's SO PREVENTABLE IF WE ARE PROACTIVE!

So, be proactive. Protect yourself. Check out your birthday suit and save your skin (and ultimately your life).

"Do-Gooder" Companies Supporting the Fight against Skin Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:05:00 +0000

In most cases, I generally avoid perceived endorsements. As the co-founder of 501 [c] [3] non-profit skin cancer education facility, I want to be doubly sure that our efforts to educate youth and communities about sun safety and skin cancer prevention are done with pure intent. Those of us who are members of The Cancer Crusaders Organization volunteer our time, outside of full-time jobs and grad school, because we are passionate about protecting people from skin cancer. This cause is so near and dear to our hearts. We bleed orange-n-yellow for Skin Cancer Awareness!

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 to two 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. Here's the press release that was sent to me about SKYShades:

_______________________________________________________________________
BUSINESS DONATES $50,000 TO HELP IN THE PREVENTION OF SKIN CANCER!
_______________________________________________________________________

One Florida business is playing an active role in educating and building awareness on the importance of providing shade for children. SKYShades have donated two shade structures (totaling more than 50K!) to two lucky schools, Millenia Elementary in Orlando and Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida. Robert Black, Assistant Principal of Lyman High School, is over the moon with this donation - he says "Not only is it extremely serviceable [but] it looks fantastic!"

SKYshades, headquarted in Orlando, has helped many schools design and construct custom shade structures to protect their pupils from the scourge of skin cancer. "Our efforts here at SKYShades are to do all we can to increase awareness as well as promote prevention through the use of shade." says Joe McKenna, Executive VP of SKYShades.

Children between the ages of 2-4 are particularly vulnerable and with solar radiation being most intense from 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, the prime hours when youngsters and school personnel are outdoors on campus (during PE, recess & lunch), schools /child care centers and all education facilities need to take a more proactive stance in helping to curb this epidemic.

"Everyone in Florida needs to be aware of the potential harm that sun exposure can cause to us and our children,” says Vernon Sondak, M.D., chief of the Cutaneous Oncology Program at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. “We actively support efforts to increase sun awareness and sun protection. Sunscreens are only a part of sun protection - but they are an important part. It is important to remember that most of our lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18, so it is vital to teach your children good sun habits and protect them from sun damage as they grow."

In Australia, by Law, education facilities MUST provide shade for their students and this is something that the American government needs to consider here especially since melanoma is the only cancer that continues to increase each year.

All of SKYShades shade structures are designed and engineered for local wind codes and not only are they functional, but are also aesthetically pleasing.

SKYShades donates $100,000 annually toward building shade structures in communities throughout Florida.

###

That said, I would like to publicly praise Del-Ray Dermatologicals (the manufacturers of Blue Lizard Australian Suncream) for the tremendous amount of support they have given to skin cancer prevention over the years. In addition to supporting our effort to distribute copies of the ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources to skin cancer foundations and universities in high-risk states (the next edition will coming early 2008 and distributed accordingly), the CEO of Del-Day Dermatologicals spearheaded the "Sun Safe School" contest with the SHADE Foundation and has personally dedicated his life toward raising awareness for skin cancer. I have met Jeff, personally, and I'm a passionate Blue Lizard Suncream fan! Moreover, Del-Ray Dermatologicals continues to coordinate and collaborate with various organizations, including the Women's Dermatologic Society and the American Academy of Dermatology, in providing education, support, and advocacy on behalf of skin cancer prevention education!

That said, I would also like to thank UVSkinz, a new sun protection clothing company run by a woman who lost her husband to melanoma skin cancer, for contacting The Cancer Crusaders Organization about our children's book - SKIN SENSE (written by our friend Lori Glickmann) which is coming out October 8th. We will be distributing copies of SKIN SENSE to all the melanoma skin cancer foundations throughout the country to help teach parents and children about the importance of proper, lifelong sun safety.

If you know of a "Do-Gooder" - a skin cancer crusader (an individual or an organization) who is championing the cause of skin cancer prevention education, please feel free to email me at info@cancercrusaders.org

Three cheers to all our skin cancer heroes and champions!

Yours in the fight,
Danielle & The Cancer Crusaders Organization

(Note: The picture above is of the shade structure SKYShades built for Millenia Elementary in Florida).

--

Here's another company who is doing incredible work on behalf of skin cancer prevention/sun safety:

Business spotlight on Sun Smart PR

Owner: Missy Varner

Location: Home-based business in Bluegrass/Concord

Contact: 865-693-0915, 865-414-4985 or missyvarner@gmail.com

Web site: www.sunsmartpr.com

Today there are a variety of products, in addition to sunscreen, to protect you and your family from the sun's damaging UV rays, and Missy Varner is helping get the word out about them with her home-based business, Sun Smart PR.

A former teacher, Varner learned about sun-protective clothing while searching for clothing for her daughters - Abbey, 8, and Emily, 7 - on the Internet. A Web site looking for sales representatives for a sun-protective clothing company caught her eye, and she realized this could be her "niche."

"I knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom who could help at my daughters' school and go on field trips, but I also wanted to do something I thought was meaningful but still allowed me to be available for the girls," said Varner, 37.

That was in 2004. Varner now represents 11 companies, all from the comfort of her Bluegrass/Concord home.

"I'm their middle man," Varner explained. "They send me samples, and I contact stores and take them the lines and show them. Then the stores place their orders."

Varner also helps publicize the companies by sending their press kits to parenting magazines and other media. Recent clients have been featured in national publications such as "Child," "Parenting," "Ladies Home Journal," "In Style" and "Parents."

"I'm not trying to compete with big PR firms; I only take companies in sun protection," she noted.

Sun protection includes everything from clothing and accessories to sunglasses and sunscreens, Varner said. She has a personal interest in the products because she and her husband, Mike, a director of engineering, are avid boaters, out on the lake every weekend when the weather is nice.

"I am very careful to protect my family from (the sun)," she said. "I always have researched sunscreen because I don't want to put something harmful on my kids."

Now the Varner family - and their friends - wears sun-protective clothing as well as sunscreen. Boasting a tight weave, a good fabric can block 45-55 percent of UV rays, Varner said.

The companies Varner represents offer clothing for men and women, boys and girls, infants to plus sizes. But as a mom to Abbey - who believes that "everything head to toe has to match" - Varner knows the importance in choosing clothing that your children are going to want to wear. The swimwear, for instance, is lightweight and dries quickly, plus it comes in "fun patterns" with pieces to mix and match.

"These modern products not only look fantastic, they also offer unbeatable protection against sun damage," Varner said. "Sun-protective clothing designers are revolutionizing the industry - they're making a fashion statement that actually saves lives."

"While sun-protective clothing has been popular in Australia for at least 20 years, the concept is just catching on the United States", Varner said. "Out West, sun-protective clothing is finding its way into major department stores, but here, it's more boutique-driven", she added.

"This isn't so well-known yet, so I get to educate (the public) on something worthwhile," she said.

After all, the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society estimates that one in five Americans will face a diagnosis of skin cancer at some point, Varner noted.

"Most of the people I work for have been touched by skin cancer, and they all are doing this to raise awareness," she added. "One is a melanoma survivor who decided to develop a line of children's clothing."

Varner travels to trade shows and is considered an online expert on the subject of sun-protective products, she said. In addition to holding online seminars, Varner is open to speaking to local groups as well.

The biggest challenge, she said, is getting people to understand that it's no longer smart to shun sunscreen in favor of a tan.

"People still want that summer glow, and it's hard to get their minds to go the other way," Varner said.

Armed with awareness and education, though, Varner is working toward her goal.

"I would like to see sun-protective clothing in any store you go into," she said. "I want it to be just like a pair of jeans."

###

Sneak Peak: Skin Sense, a book for children

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:56:00 +0000

The Cancer Crusaders Organization is pleased to announce the forthcoming debut of Skin Sense.

Written by our friend 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.”

Thanks, Lori, for writing such an important and much-needed book! Skin Sense is a must-have for any parent, grandparent, skin cancer crusader -- anyone who loves children and wants to protect them from this growing form of cancer.

Pre-order your copy of Skin Sense today by clicking on the icon button below:

The Cancer Crusaders Organization will be distributing copies of Skin Sense to skin cancer foundations across the nation. (More information to come soon.) In the meantime, if you have any children in your life - daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors -- this is the perfect book to help these children adopt a life of SunSavvy behavior; to protect them from the world's most common cancer. The holidays are coming soon, so get a copy of Skin Sense and make it a life-saving gift.

To be the FIRST to order a copy of Skin Sense from The Cancer Crusaders Organization, send an email to info@cancercrusaders.org. All proceeds will support the fight against skin cancer! (All payments are secure through PayPal and are tax-deductible).

As always, here's to being SunSavvy!
Danielle M. White, co-founder/president
The Cancer Crusaders Organization
& author of ONLY SKIN DEEP?

*Note: Official press release will come shortly. This is a sneak preview offered exclusively through The Cancer Crusaders Organization, a registered 501 [c] [3] non-profit skin cancer education facility. For more information or to make a donation, please contact us or send an email to info@cancercrusaders.org. Thank you for supporting the fight against skin cancer.

Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation and the necessity of a quality Sunscreen

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:27:00 +0000

Since I wrote about Justice Roberts' stance on FDAregulations regarding sunscreen, I have received a variety of emails that indicate a general misunderstanding of sunscreens; how sunscreen works and why a quality broad-spectrum sunscreen is, in fact, a crucial part of savvy sun protection and reducing your risk for skin cancer.

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

In closing this post, I assure you that 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 of the American Academy of Dermatology

(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).

How YOU can help someone fight melanoma

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:02:00 +0000

Our friends and colleagues at the Melanoma International Foundation asked us to help raise money for melanoma patients in need of care, treatment, and support.

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 touched by melanoma--the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer.

Please take a few seconds to read the story they just emailed me, and consider lending your support:

"Joe* and Mary* are two teachers in their thirties with three young children (pictured above). 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.

$10.00 - Gives a patient or family member a complimentary Skin Cancer Awareness pin courtesy of The Cancer Crusaders Organization.

$30.00 - Gives a newly diagnosed melanoma patient a complimentary copy of Catherine Poole's book Melanoma: Prevention, Detection and Treatment (2005 Yale University Press)courtesy of the MIF.

$45.00 - Gives a patient's family a supply of Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen courtesy of The Cancer Crusaders Organization.

$50.00 - - Gives a newly diagnosed melanoma patient, in addition to Poole's book, complimentary copy of the special edition version of ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources by Danielle M. White (which originally debuted #2 on Amazon.com in March 2007) coming soon through The Cancer Crusaders Organization.

$60.00 - Covers a weeks worth costs of maintaining a 24/7 live patient support hotline via the MIF.

$400.00 - Covers a patient's flight to treatment and one nights hotel stay courtesy of the MIF.

$600.00 - Full patient sponsorship through the MIF.

Please send your tax-deductible charitable contribution to:

The Cancer Crusaders Organization
PO Box 2076 Provo, Utah 84603

(Note: In the memo box, please specify "Patient Support" and we will make sure your donation is earmarked and delivered accordingly).

You can also contact the MIF directly at info@melanomaintl.org to inquire about their specific programs, such as the Patient Support Program.

Thank you for support! Every bit helps saves lives from this deadly, but PREVENTABLE disease!

Yours in the fight,
Danielle M. White
The Cancer Crusaders Organization

PS: Please note that any of the items that read "courtesy of" are items offered specifically through that particular organization. All donations for the MIF Patient Support Program will be given to the MIF for that expressed purpose. For questions about how The Cancer Crusaders Organization is helping the MIF raise funds for patient care/support, please send an email to info@cancercrusaders.org. Thank you, and remember to be SunSavvy!

Ban the Tan!

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:33:00 +0000

Yes, folks, I am, once again, revisiting the subject of indoor tanning; the dangers associated with tanning and the subsequent increase of melanoma skin cancer among women in their 20s and 30s. It is a subject I’m passionate about (and, besides, this is a Blog about skin cancer prevention).

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 biologically 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. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. A tan is your skin's way of saying "I have sustained damage"; therefore, tanning is dangerous.

I am suddenly 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. 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 quality 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 dear 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 touch someone's life for the good.

Yours in the fight against skin cancer,
Danielle

Protecting Our Skin - Where do you stand?

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:21:00 +0000

The FDA has been sauntering on the issue of sunscreen regulation for nearly 30 years. Yet, the Environmental Protection Agency recently sent an email blast to members of its SunWise program that included a news report mentioning the FDA is finally moving closer toward an official position on monitoring sunscreen manufacturers. (Can we say, "It's about time?")

Granted, with any talk of regulations comes controversy. This ought not surprise me. 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, 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. (Thank you to Senator Pat Jones who helped pass legislation here in Utah).

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, it is 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/rhetoric 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.

Two years ago, while at a dermatology conference, I had the pleasure of engaging in a conversation with a woman from the Cosmetics Toiletries and Fragrances Association and a gentleman from Neostrata about ingredients used in sunscreens. It is interesting to note what different industry members have to say regarding this matter. In sum, nearly all credible skin care companies, along with skin cancer educators and health advocates, agree that to wait 30 years for FDA regulations regarding quality sunscreens is ridiculous. We simply cannot afford to delay action on this issue. The subject of choosing an effective sunscreen and how to maximize sunscreen efficacy is an issue I am passionate about. If you share that passion, I encourage you share your thoughts with the FDA. Another day that passes, another 24 Americans succumb to melanoma -- the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Yet, 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.

Constantly Crusading,
Danielle & the Cancer Crusaders

PS: Huntsman Cancer Institute conducted an evaluation of all the sunscreens on the market, studying their ingredients and cost-per-ounce. For more information, contact the Tom C. Mathews Jr. Familial Melanoma Research Clinic at HCI. You can also check out the sunscreen database.

Uncovering the Facts about Sunscreen

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 19:42:00 +0000

Since I extended the offer to disburse free samples of Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen out, many individuals across the country have taken me up on the offer. And, as such, I have received numerous questions about sunscreens (not to mention 100% positive feedback about Blue Lizard).

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 with 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 adequately 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. 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.

11. Is there a safe way to tan?

There is NO safe way to tan! A tan is the skin’s response to an injury. Tanning occurs when ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin’s inner layer, thus causing the skin to produce more melanin as a response to the injury. Chronic exposure to the sun results in a change in the skin’s texture causing wrinkling and age spots. Thus, tanning to improve appearance is ultimately self-defeating. Every time you tan, you accumulate damage to the skin. This damage, in addition to accelerating the aging process, also increases your risk for all types of skin cancer, including melanoma.

12. Are tanning booths a safer way to tan?

Again, there is no such thing as a safe tan. In spite of claims that tanning booths offer "safe" tanning, artificial radiation carries all the risks of natural sunlight. Tanning booths emit UV-A radiation, which poses both short and long-term risks to the skin, including cataracts (eye damage), sunburns, skin cancer and premature aging. In addition, there can be damage to the body’s immune system and induce allergic reactions to certain fragrances, lotions, moisturizers and medications. Many tanning salons are unregulated, allowing customers access to tanning beds without supervision or even eye protection. The American Academy of Dermatology supports local and/or statewide indoor tanning legislation that bans minors from using tanning devices. In addition, this legislation usually requires that warning signs be prominently displayed in tanning salons and list the hazards of such exposure, among other possible regulatory provisions. We also support legislation regulating minors' use of tanning beds.

13. How do I treat a sunburn?

There are several types of sunburns (ranging from first to third degree burns) and burn treatments. Remember, that while you may not immediately see the effects of overexposure to the sun the cumulative effects do significantly increase your risk for skin cancer. The two most common sunburns are first-degree burns and second degree burns. First-degree sunburns cause redness and will heal, possibly with some peeling, within a few days. These can be painful and are best treated with cool baths and moisturizers or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Avoid the use of "-caine" products (such as benzocaine), which may cause sensitivity to a broad range of chemicals. Aspirin taken orally may lessen early development of sunburn, but should not be used in placement of regular sunscreen use. Second degree sunburns blister and can be considered a medical emergency if a large area is affected. When a burn is severe, accompanied by a headache, chills or a fever, seek medical help immediately! Be sure to protect your skin from the sun while it healsm and everyday thereafter. That said, let it be re-stated that studies have found sunburns are linked to an increased risk for melanoma, especially if you suffered severe childhood or adolescent sunburns. Just one blistering sunburn as a child can nearly double your risk for skin cancer as an adult.

14. How much sunscreen should I apply to my skin each day to make sure I am covered?

Considered the country’s authority on the proper use of sunscreens, Dr. Elma Baron of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, strongly recommends using an ounce of sunscreen (or the equivalent to the amount that would fit into the palm of your hand). With that, it is imperative to remember to apply sunscreen on EVERY part of your body that is [potentially] exposed to UV rays. Places such as your ears, behind your neck, your back, the backs of your calves, your toes, are all places that are commonly neglected. If you have trouble reaching certain parts of your body, get your spouse or your best friend to help you apply sunscreen. Make it a team effort to protect each other from the sun!

15. Which sunscreens on the market today are best for my budget?

Dr. Sancy A. Leachman, deputy director and principle investigator at the Tom C. Mathews Jr. Familial Melanoma Research Clinic at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah, has put together an exhaustive and accurate spreadsheet that lists every sunscreen product imaginable; lists them by the amount of essential protective ingredients each products incorporates in its sunscreen formula, the level of SPF it provides, and how much the product cost per ounce in comparison to its competitors. To reference Dr. Leachman’s An Ounce of Prevention sunscreen spreadsheet, send an email to info@cancercrusaders.org or contact Dr. Leachman at Huntsman Cancer Institute at 2000 Circle of Hope in Salt Lake City, Utah.

16. Are men or women better about regular sunscreen usage?

It is interesting to note results from a survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology in May 2005; the survey reported that teenage boys are the least likely of all Americans to use sunscreen. Only 32%of teenage boys aged 15-to-17 reported taking regular precautions against over-exposure to UV-rays. Similarly, the U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., MPH, reports that another survey, recently conducted by the Sun Safety Alliance, reflects that sunscreen usage among Americans in their 20s and 30s is decreasing. It decreased from 72% in 2005 to less than 60% today. Additionally, the study reports that despite the fact 85% of middle-aged women know “the dangers of overexposure to the sun and believe skin cancer is a serious issue" they fail to properly and regularly use sunscreen. In fact, more than 60% of Americans suffer at least one blistering sunburn ever year. This is not only perplexing, but concerning especially since at least 90% of skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation!

17. I want to remember to use my sunscreen – Do you have any ideas on how I can do that?

We have several ideas about how to incorporate a regular practice of proper sunscreen usage so as to foster a permanent lifelong habit. To mention a few:
Consider placing a bottle of sunscreen in your make-up bag or by your bathroom sink (right next to your toothbrush/toothpaste). Consider getting a bottle of sunscreen that has a key ring on it and fastening it to your house and/or car keys. Put post-it notes on your mirrors or on the front door that read: STOP! Put on your sunscreen right NOW! until it becomes so that you don’t even have to “think” about it because you are doing it all the time anyway; it becomes automatic… it becomes a habit! You can also tell your room-mates, your friends, or your loved ones, to give you friendly reminders. (Be aware that these little friendly reminders may seem annoying, but just remember you asked for it!)

18. Does sunscreen, especially sunscreen usage as a child, really reduce your risk for skin cancer?

Approximately, 80% of our lifetime sun damage is sustained during our first 18 years of life, therefore making a habit of daily, year-round sunscreen usage beginning in childhood is good common sense. And, yes, sunscreen use in children can lower one’s risk for skin cancer in the future. “Sunscreen has always been an important part of an overall sun safety regime to protect the number of sunburns, especially for children,” reports dermatologist Jason K. Rivers of the University of British Columbia Department of Medicine. Dr. Rivers conducted a study of 309 Caucasian children ages six-to-10, who were monitored for three years. “Not only did the children in the sunscreen develop less nevi, it is of some significance.” To reference this study, contact the American Academy of Dermatology.

19. Does sunscreen use cause a Vitamin D deficiency?

It is true that our bodies need Vitamin D because it helps with the production of calcium and phosphorus – two minerals necessary for the building and maintenance of strong, healthy bones. However, the sun (or any other form of ultraviolet radiation) is not a viable method of getting your daily Vitamin D. We have mentioned how ultraviolet radiation damages our skin and places at a significantly higher risk for skin cancer, so to justify use of indoor tanning beds or suntanning as a means of getting Vitamin D is not only unnecessary, but dangerous. Americans fortify a majority of their grocery products with Vitamin D – milk, for example. Therefore, if were to have a bowl of cereal every day you would get sufficient Vitamin D. Reiterating this truth is the American Academy of Dermatology. The AAD recently compiled a list detailing reasons not to seek the sun for your daily Vitamin D.

So, there you have it -- the answers to many of your questions about sunscreens. For more information check out ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources, or consult a board-certified dermatologist. You can also send me an email at info@cancercrusaders.org

* This list was compiled by the American Academy of Dermatology with additions made by The Cancer Crusaders Organization.

No simple "chance meeting"

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:01:00 +0000

While devouring a plate of Panda Express last week, my brilliant physicist friend and fellow cancer crusader, Kathleen reminded me of a special experience that took place last year...

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!

Love,
Danielle.

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 words above are an excerpt from a hymn by Karen Lynn Davidson).

But it cannot kill our Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Danielle) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:49:00 +0000

Since I have posted Scarlet's and MaryAnn's story to this Blog I have received an outpouring of emails from young women everywhere who either knew and loved them, or were touched by their story. One such email, from Lisa, was particularly eye-opening and touching. She has had melanoma touch her life, every year since she was 16 (and she's now in her 30s).

Learning about Scarlett and MaryAnn this week has caused me to take forced to take greater pleasure in the simple pleasures and tender mercies of life. As such, the love and appreciation I have for my friends (especially my two dearest friends - Melissa and Natalie) has deepened even further. And my faith in and devotion toward my Higher Power has increased immeasurably.

These melanoma warriors remind me that the greatest blessing in life is the love we give others, and that the love we receive, in return, is the greatest gift of all. After all, love is a choice; therefore, it is a priceless and precious gift. Truly, our relationships with people are what matter most and they make life worth living. Each person we associate with presents an opportunity to learn, grow, serve, and love. I would give anything to let the people in my life have a glimpse into my heart so as to see just how much I love them, care for them, and pray for them. I trust that, despite my limitations, that I will (some day) have an opportunity to love them purely and perfectly.

Additionally, these brave and beautiful melanoma warriors also remind me why I feel so compelled to crusade on behalf of skin cancer prevention education. You see, while I choose to volunteer my time toward this cause, the truth really is that thus is an honor (and responsibility) that these melanoma warriors have given me to help save lives from a deadly, yet largely preventable disease.

With that, I wanted to share Scarlet's obituary with you. Her mother, Cheryl, just sent me a heartfelt email in which she shared wonderful stories about her daughter (who would be the same age as me). As such, I feel a special connection to Scarlet. I want to thank the Moore Family for the work they are doing to raise awareness about melanoma skin cancer and sun safety in Tennessee. More than 300 people from Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama got together this month to host a "Run from the Sun" 5k for melanoma. I was particularly touched by the young women wearing shirts that said "Scarlet's Sisters". These ladies went to college with Scarlet at the University of Mississippi; they were her sorority sisters.

This picture of Scarlet's Sisters shows is an example for each of us in the skin cancer community. Truly, by coming together and collaborating therein creating a strong and unified front, we can save lives from melanoma skin cancer and even conquer it - once and for all.

For those of you looking for a worthy cause to support , for a rewarding activity to do during your spare time, or even ways to get your teenagers off of the couch and into the community, read the stories of melanoma warriors on this Blog and let them inspire you to become a Skin Cancer Crusader!

Yours in the fight,
Danielle.

PS: Thank you, again, to the Moore family for sharing your daughter with us, and allowing her to touch our lives. And THANK YOU to MaryAnn, as well, for your strength and resolve. We are so honored to have you apart of our team!

Graduated to Heaven, Scarlet Lawrence Akins

On August 4, 2006, one day before her 28th birthday, Scarlet Lawrence Akins lost her brave battle against malignant melanoma, a cancer that may have taken her body, but never touched her spirit. Scarlet's courage, generosity, humor and passion for life will continue to impress upon the lives of countless friends, family members and students.

As a wife and mother, Scarlet's motivation was found in her family. With her husband and soul mate, Jody C. Akins, Scarlet gave life to Madison Grace Akins, a daughter who, like her mother, is blessed with beauty, strength and undeniable resolve.

As a daughter, granddaughter, and niece, Scarlet found comfort, friendship and unconditional love and support from her parents, Cheryl and Vann Moore and Steve and Vicki Lawrence, her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lawrence and Dr. and Mrs. Steve Bledsoe, her aunts, Renee Hust and Leigh Pleasant, and her many cousins.

As a sister, Scarlet would beam with pride (and often roll her eyes) when bragging on her brothers, Reese Taylor Lawrence and V. Davis Moore, II, whom she loved both dearly as siblings – and as best friends.

As a friend, Scarlet's caring demeanor was omnipresent, her personality contagious and her determined loyalty never wavering. She would lend you her ear, her guidance and her time without hesitation. A true friend, she will be missed.

A graduate of Collierville High School in 1997, Scarlet received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2001 from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta, holding numerous positions within the sorority, both as a student and as alumna. She furthered her education at Ole Miss, earning a Masters of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication in 2003. Moving to Atlanta, she served as an assistant editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine and later as the editor of European Homes & Gardens magazine. Returning to her true calling, education, she reciprocated her love of learning by offering the gift of teaching. Accepting a position first in Memphis City Schools, Scarlet moved on to mentor and teach as a journalism instructor and publications specialist at Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2005.

Please join in celebrating the life of Scarlet Lawrence Akins on Saturday, August 12th at 2 p.m. at St. George's Episcopal Church on Poplar Avenue in Germantown, TN.

In lieu of flowers, Scarlet requested donations be made to the Scarlet Lawrence Akins Foundation. Checks can be sent to the following address: 1328 Broadstone Lane, Cordova, TN 38016. Please specifically earmark your donation to one of Scarlet's three preferred charities: the Scarlet Lawrence Akins Journalism Scholarship at Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Theta Scholarship Fund, or the Church Health Center.

"Pale is the new tan!" - SLA"

To share your story, for a special edition of ONLY SKIN DEEP? An Essential Guide to Effective Skin Cancer Programs and Resources, please send an email to: info@cancercrusaders.org.

* Note: The official symbol for Skin Cancer Awareness is now represented by an orange loop ribbon with a sunburst in the center. For more information, check out www.skincancerribbon.org.