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"A Shocking Diagnosis" by Jerry Penacoli, Host of EXTRAIt was just a tiny brown freckle on my inner right thigh.
Then, practically overnight, it became black and slightly raised. Had it been
on my back or another less visible part of my body, I never would have known it
was there. I had it removed last September, the doctor optimistically saying,
“It looks like nothing.” But it was something: the biopsy came back positive
for melanoma, stage III. When I heard that word, “cancer,” first I cried, then I
became paralyzed with fear, then I sprang into action. I talked to other
melanoma survivors in Los Angeles about surgeons and oncologists, and became a
sponge in order to absorb as much information from credible sources as possible
about this form of skin cancer. I was in surgery four days after my diagnosis. Two surgeries
were performed: one to remove the affected area of my thigh, and another to
remove 22 lymph nodes nearby because a biopsy of the nodes showed evidence that
the melanoma had spread (metastasized) there. A PET CT scan also separately
detected possible thyroid cancer, and after a needle biopsy, I had to have my
entire thyroid removed. After four months’ medical leave, I decided to go public
with this personal story on my show “Extra.” I felt it was my responsibility. I
was touched by the number of people who reached out to me with their own
stories of hope and survival. Every one of them inspired me to keep awareness
of this disease in the forefront. This is why I’m telling my story here. The Skin Cancer Foundation is a tremendous wealth of
resources and information about melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. I want
anyone who will listen to heed these words: Please get your skin checked by a dermatologist who knows
skin cancer, and not just the head and torso. Have a full-body skin exam — a
complete ‘naked’ check, if you will, by a medical expert. I should have had that kind of check-up every year, and
didn’t. Please, do it. It could save your life. Source:
http://www.skincancer.org/true-stories/a-shocking-diagnosis-by-jerry-penacoli
Right now, I am cancer-free. Vigilance is the key. My skin will be checked
visually and my body PET-scanned every few months. I refuse to have a
recurrence. It is not an option with me, so, in addition to proper medical
care, I have improved my nutrition, not to mention my sleep and exercise
regimens.
Unless
you've been living under a rock, you know to apply sunscreen. There's
lifesaving reason to: About 3.5 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed
this year. "The incidence of skin cancer, including melanoma—the deadliest
kind—is going up, and wearing sunscreen is one of the best ways to prevent
it," says Ronald Moy, MD, a dermatologist and spokesperson for the Skin
Cancer Foundation. Stick with these smart tips—and check out our product
picks—to make sure you're as protected as you can possibly be. 7 Golden
Rules of Sun Protection Select a
Sunscreen You Love Finding your
sunscreen soul mate is the key motivating factor for using it regularly,
experts agree. "If you think your sunscreen is pasty, thick or smelly, you
have the wrong kind," says Jeffrey Dover, MD, clinical associate professor
of dermatology at Yale University. "It may make you less likely to put it
on, or to reapply when you do." Happily, there are plenty of lightweight,
sheer formulas, like Vichy Capital Soleil Foaming lotion SPF 50 Remember,
SPF 30 Is the New 15 As a general
rule, SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent and SPF 50
blocks 98 percent. Doctors now typically recommend at least SPF 30—at least
being the key words. If you have a family history of skin cancer or are
vacationing in a tropical spot (where the sun is especially intense), go for 50
or even 70. Just keep in mind: No sunscreen provides 100 percent protection. So
to be as safe as possible, you still need to reapply every two hours and after
a swim, even if you used the water-resistant kind, says Joshua Zeichner, MD,
director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai
Hospital in New York City. Try Neutrogena Beach Defense sunscreen spray
broad-spectrum SPF 30 ($11; at mass retailers). FYI, sunscreen becomes less
effective about three years after you open the container. Check
Labels for the Term 'Broad-Spectrum' It means the
sunscreen provides protection against both UVA (wrinkle- and cancer-causing)
and UVB (burning) rays. Problem is, that labeling rule only went into effect in
December and stores still sell inventory made prior to it, notes Steven Wang,
MD, director of dermatologic surgery and dermatology at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Basking Ridge, N.J. So if you're shopping and
there's no broad-spectrum mention, check the ingredients for zinc or avobenzone,
the only two that provide top-notch UVA coverage, he says. Coola Mineral Sport
broad-spectrum SPF 35 Citrus Mimosa. Layer It
On Think you
apply enough? Almost no one does. "Several big studies show that most
people rub in only about a fourth of what's needed to reach the labeled
SPF—it's faster and easier to put on just a bit," notes Dr. Dover. Instead
of that old advice to use a shot glass--size dose, all our experts recommend
applying two coats. Squeeze a line of lotion down your arms and legs and rub
in, then do it again. Ditto for spray formulas: Hold the nozzle close to your
skin and spritz, moving slowly up and down until you see a sheen, then go back
over the area. For your face, apply a pea-size drop to each cheek, your
forehead and your chin, then smear in. Repeat! Don't
Forget Your Nose It's the No.
1 sunburn spot, dermatologists say. "People apply sunscreen to their face,
but either skip or speed over their nose—especially if they wear glasses,
because they don't want to take them off," Dr. Wang says. Adds Dr. Moy,
"80 percent of the skin cancers I remove are on the nose." Other
commonly missed areas include the feet, hair part, ears and chest, as well as
the backs of hands and legs. Get
Antioxidant Insurance Since rays
can still get through sunscreen, companies are now including antioxidants such
as vitamins C and E and green tea to help mitigate damage. If you don't want to
bother applying a serum that contains them beneath your moisturizer or
sunscreen Realize
That Sunscreen Is Only One Part of a Sun-Smart Plan "The
hierarchy of sun protection should be avoidance first, then seek shade and wear
a wide-brim hat and protective clothing, then use sunscreen—but most people
have that sequence backward," Dr. Wang points out. Consider hitting the
beach or pool in the morning instead of midday (when sun is strongest), and
bring an umbrella and a tightly woven long-sleeve shirt. Know that
it's never too late to start safe habits So you baked in the sun as a teen with
little or no sunscreen. While regular tanning or getting several bad burns when
you're young raises your risk of skin cancer, Dr. Moy says, what's critical is
that you put on sunscreen these days: "Since skin's ability to repair
itself decreases with age, your risk is even greater if you burn now."
Good thing you're using it! Source: This article
originally appeared on Health.com, May 19, 2013. Author: Beth Janes
The California School Board Association has issued its sample policy and policy brief addressing sun safety. Recognizing the increasing incidence of skin cancer, CSBA has created board policy BP5141.7 and a policy brief on Sun Safety in Schools. The documents were designed to aid the governance teams with addressing sun safety in school districts. Included in the brief are policy considerations including: Sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, school environment, curriculum, and modification of activities based on UV index. If your district is a CSBA member and subscribes to their Policy Update service then your district wouldve received the policy in CSBAs July updates and can access it on GAMUT online. However, if your district is a non-subscriber to CSBAs Policy Update service, you can view the sample policy on the CSBA website at: http://www.csba.org/ps/samples/BP51417.pdf Sun Safe Schools offers suggestions and tools for implementing policy changes developed to encompass varying areas of sun safety. Source: CSBA Governance & Policy Services, Policy Briefs, July 2006
The Policy Brief to accompany the sample policy is at: http://www.csba.org/ps/Policy_brief_7_06.pdf
The guidelines state that sunscreen is not a medication and schools are encouraged to allow students to use the sunscreen they bring to school. Schools are also encouraged to perform sun safety assessments and create policies to address sun safety issues at school. School nurses are encouraged to be proponents of sun safety at their schools. Read the bill here: http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/bills/hb/hb0613t.pdf
On July 12th, Kentucky HB 151 will go into effect, requiring indoor tanning salons to get written parental permission for any tanner between the ages of 14 and 18. Anyone tanning under the age of 14 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Tanning salons will also be required to provide certain health and safety information to their customers. Read more here.
Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford), announced the passage of AB 2645, also known as Esmeraldas Law, from the Assembly Floor by a vote of 66-1 on May 23. AB 2645, which relates to sun protection, would clarify that current statue allows students to wear hats, as protection from the sun, during physical education courses without a doctors note or parental permission. The current law says that students are allowed to wear hats and are allowed to use sunscreen without a prescription. The new law would clarify that students can also use hats without a prescription. The new bill would also allow school principals to determine the definition of "outdoors" for this kind of policy.
For more information about the bill, please visit http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/ab_2645.
September 5, 2007, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 105 and on October 13, 2007 it was signed by the Govenor. AB 105 places stricter regulations on the use of tanning facilities in the State of California. Among other things, AB 105 prohibits minors under the age of 14 from using a tanning facility, and requires parental consent from minors ages 14-18. For a summary of the provisions of AB 105 click here. To read the complete text of the bill visit the Official California Legislation website at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_105_bill_20071013_chaptered.pdf.