I started here at my space to create more education about skin cancer awareness.
In September of 2005 I was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma. YES skin cancer can kill you, and rather quickly I might add.
I was uneducated about the dangers of tanning and the sun, and because of this I like many others laid in the sun and used tanning beds.
For those of you that think its JUST skin cancer and you get it picked off and thats the end of it...WRONG answer.
Melanoma actually travels down through the layers of the skin via a mole, a freckle, a blemish and reaches your lymph system and or blood vessels, and from there it travels into your lungs, liver, bones, brain etc.I have been blessed after a grueling 9 month treatment of IL-2 on 6/14/06 my scans showed I am cancer free...So now what? Well I believe I am still here for a reason, so I started a melanoma awareness foundation called "Operation Sun Shield" to start educating people about the dangers of tanning and I have a website you can visit www.operationsunshield.org , its not finshed yet, but please feel free to check it out.What I want all of you to know is that tanning is dangerous
there is no such thing as a healthy tan. Actually your tan could be a killer tan...literally.
So please take my advice, help me change the staggering facts about melanoma by becoming "sun smart"If you have a mole, blister, sunspot, blemish anything that changes or pops up, go see a qualified dermatologist. Melanoma can even be under your nails and toenails and bottom of your feet. Watch for CHANGES.
When in doubt check it out!Here is a few facts for you to think about
*Melanoma is now the fastest growing cancer in the U.S.
*Melanoma is increasing at an epidemic rate of 3% a year
*The ACS estimates that about 62,190 case for 2006
*Melanoma is the #1 cancer in young adults aged 20-30
*In women 25-30, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths
*It is the second deadliest cancer in the U.S.
*In the U.S. someone dies every hour from melanomaSo now you know, skin cancer, which is mainly caused from tanning and sun exposure, can kill you.I have a mission and that mission is to help educate people so they can at least make an educated decision on whether to tan or not or to be aware of something new on your body that needs to be checked out.
So thanks for reading my story, and I can only hope that in some way I have impacted you to become sun smart.Jane :-)
