No One Looks Good in Melanoma
By Maya

It’s a beautiful day in San Diego, California. The sun shines so brightly that it is almost blinding, but the heat won’t keep beachgoers inside. Like many others, Alexis Parado*, a high school junior, won’t stay indoors on a day that will almost certainly give her that golden tan she’s been wanting. After several hours in the sun, Alexis says, “How else can you get a tan like this? I once tried buying it as a spray, but you simply can’t bottle the sun.”

During her time at the beach, Alexis repeatedly applies lots of sun block to her skin. But, she is one of the few teens who make that effort. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, in 2000 only 40 percent of teens said they used sunscreen often or all the time.[1] And in the last seven years, that percentage has fallen to 34 percent of all teens.[2]

Alexis knows that many young women want a perfect, golden tan. “We’re taught that there is a certain way to look during the summer and above all, that it’s glamorous, even though we might be harming ourselves.” Beautiful women of color appear every day on television, in magazines, and in every format imaginable. This is great, but teenage women, including Alexis (who is of Hispanic heritage), feel the pressure to be beautiful, too. And that can mean getting that lovely tan, regardless of the cost.

Alexis says, “Many of my friends don’t bother using sun block because most of them are dark; they think the sun won’t hurt them.” However, new research shows that men and women of color – just like fair, non-Hispanic whites – are at risk of melanoma (skin cancer) from too much sun. In fact, a recent study showed that the rate of invasive skin cancer – cancer that spreads to other tissues and organs – has increased significantly among Hispanic men compared to Hispanic women and non-Hispanic whites. Overall, the incidence among Hispanic men rose nearly two percent each year between 1996 and 2001. Hispanic women's rates also increased slightly.[3] In other words, young women of color may assume they aren’t at risk of skin cancer and may not take important steps to protect themselves from it. But they are and they should!

In fact, Hispanic and African American people are also more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma at later stages after the cancer has become invasive. This is when skin cancer becomes really serious, and a late diagnosis means less chance of surviving.[4]

Young women of color need to know that they can protect against skin cancer by being careful.

1. Use sun block often to prevent melanoma. Using sun block is never a 100 percent guarantee that you won’t ever develop skin cancer, but using sun block that is labeled at least SPF 30 can really reduce your risk.
2. Avoid staying out in the sun for too long on any one day. Experts say you shouldn’t spend more than two hours in direct sunlight between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.

Skin cancer is not something to take lightly. And although the incidence is on the rise, you can still head to the beach for some summer fun. Just remember to pack your sun block and use it frequently. And limit your time spent outdoors. Acquiring the perfect golden tan can be fun and glamorous. But keep in mind – no one looks good in melanoma.

How Will I Know If I’m Developing Skin Cancer?
There are several signs to watch for. Remember that catching it early means that the skin cancer can be treated fairly easily and before it spreads. Follow the steps below and make sure that your health professional examines all your skin once a year.

• Check your moles once a month. Be suspicious of any mole that has formed an irregular border, changed color, is more than one color, or has increased in size.
• Regularly check your neck, head, arms, and back – these are the places where most melanomas occur.
• If any mole bleeds or hurts, it may have become a melanoma. Make an appointment to see your health care provider.
• Be wary of pink bumps that later crust, ulcerate (break open), and bleed. These may be basal cell carcinomas (a form of skin cancer).
• Be wary of warty growths that appear on sun-exposed areas such as the hands and that are scaly and pink. These may be squamous cell carcinomas (another form of skin cancer).

If you see any signs or have symptoms that worry you, be sure to make an appointment with your health professional right away. Don’t wait. Early prevention is vital to your health and well-being. If you would like more information, visit: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_1x.asp?dt=39

References

*Fictitious name.

1. Thompson L. "Trying to Look SUNsational? Complexity Persists in Using Sunscreens." http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/400_sun.html.
2. Reuters, "U.S. Teens Risking Skin Cancer for Tan -Study." http://www.sunsafe.com/article.cfm?article_id=17.
3. Doheny K. Deadly skin cancer on rise among Hispanics. Women’s Health in the News, January 23, 2006; http://www.healthywomen.org/resources/womenshealthinthenews/
   dbhealthnews/deadlyskincanceronriseamonghispanics
4. "Hispanics and Blacks with Melanoma More Likely to Be Diagnosed at a Later Stage "; http://www.emaxhealth.com/101/6404.html