Get the Facts Ma'am...

I know I haven’t written here in a while, but I HAVE been writing.  Most recently, I’ve been writing emails. 

This past weekend, I wrote to our local high school’s newspaper faculty advisor and encouraged one of her students to do a piece on tanning…hopefully the dangers of tanning.  I pointed out that it is prime tanning salon season with proms and spring break approaching, and that it would be timely to write such an article.  I also mentioned that the North Carolina General Assembly was currently considering legislation to ban indoor UV tanning for minors.  She responded that she would discuss the idea with her students, so I’m hopeful to see something soon.  Or maybe not.  But at least I brought it up.  I'll keep you posted.

Speaking of the General Assembly, I wrote them as well.  The Youth Skin Care Prevention Act, or HB18 was the topic of discussion this past Tuesday before the House Committee on Health and Human Services.  I wrote to every member (all 25) this past weekend, hoping to sway their vote and common sense towards a ban to indoor UV tanning for minors.  My friend Anne Bowman was present at the meeting to share her story, as were leaders from Duke University and North Carolina University…two leading cancer research institutions.  I spent much of my work day on Tuesday checking Twitter, Facebook, and local news websites to see how the meeting went.  Apparently it was going well until Joseph Levy of the Smart Tan Network, Inc. (really….) made an eleventh hour presentation to try to dispel the facts presented by pretty much every medical society in North Carolina. 

 

Mr. Sunshine

His talk apparently moved Representative Marilyn Avila enough to postpone the committee’s vote on the issue until next week.  I understand that many of the committee members that supported (and sponsored) the bill were pretty ticked.  Still…the vote has been postponed.

So now I write again.  This time, my letter won’t be a shotgun approach loaded with tanning and melanoma specifics, but aimed at specific “concerns” that Representative Avila had.

Here’s a very revealing interview with the fine legislator…see for yourself how enlightened she seems to be.

Rep. Avila claims that the medical groups that support the ban are not misguided, but are emotional and “see things their way.” She advises the groups to “stand back objectively and say, ‘Yes there is a problem but is it this big a problem?’”

First of all, general scientists (such a Ms. Avila…she’s a retired chemist) are very calculating and non-biased in many decisions.  They study the facts and base their results solely on such findings.  However, medical scientists such as doctors and researchers are driven by emotion.  Their goal is to better humanity’s quality of life…to find ways to eliminate disease and suffering.  There will always be emotion in medical science.  At the same time, these scientists are driven to find a correct answer, not just any answer.  They don’t make quick and unfounded decisions because a wrong prognosis can have devastating results.  I content that medical science HAS stood back objectively and said, “Yes, there is indeed a problem and a very big problem!”

Rep. Avila states there s a study “out there” that states tanning beds only increase the risk of melanoma by 1/10 percent.  Even Joseph Levy apparently stated that tanning beds cause an increase to skin cancer by “only” 2 or 3 percent.  Dr. Nelson of Duke University cited a 75 percent increase for early-age users.  In all honesty, every person can cite a study that supports their side of any argument.  The same is true regarding UV tanning.  My opinion is that the true risk increase is somewhere in the middle of 3 percent and 75 percent.  Either way, it’s an increase.

Both Ms. Avila and Mr. Levy mention that banning tanning salons will drive teenagers to unmonitored tanning alternatives such as home tanning units and laying out in the sun.  Well, I have news for them…such tan-craving teens ALREADY LAY OUT IN THE SUN!  Sure, many seek a little “healthy glow” before prom, but as soon as the weather gets warm, they’ll be exposing themselves in the sun no matter what.  So driving kids into the cruel sunlight is a bogus argument.  As for home tanning units, yes this is a distinct possibility.  At the same time, these beds cost a lot.  If a parent is willing to shell out several hundred or thousand dollars to purchase a tanning bed that’ll have to probably be placed in the garage or basement, chances are their child is already spoiled beyond any hope.  Perhaps the parent needs to hold back that money and promise it towards a new car for the teen…I’m sure that would slow down the home tanning fad.

Finally, Rep. Avila states that exposure is not the issue, but burning is the issue.  This statement alone shows that she has not done her homework at all.  I would hazard to guess that she’s read websites slanted more towards the pro-tanning argument (maybe Mr. Levy contacted her more directly earlier in the week?)  I suggest she read facts from other sites such as the Skin Cancer Foundation.  Of course, she may claim the information to be too “emotional”.  Well then, might I suggest that she read an article on tanning from Popular Mechanics!  Who could claim that this publication would benefit one way or the other from the tanning discussion?  The article explains the real mechanics of sun burning and sun tanning…and not the rather abstract definition presented in the video interview.  In short, EXPOSURE leads to the damage..which includes both burns and DNA damage.

At one point in the interview, Ms. Avila stated that she was interested in what Mr. Levy said because “it’s not in his best interest to support something that is detrimental to one’s health.”  I have two words to address this statement….Tobacco Industry.  Tanning is the cigarette of the 21^st Century and the same lies are being repeated as they were 40 years ago. 

One final thought.  Rep. Avila was asked if she gave as much weight to a lobbyist for the tanning industry as she would the medical community.  She stated that it depended where the facts originated.  I would like to propose the same question to her as I did on Facebook recently…if you had to make a decision regarding your children and tanning beds, would you trust the advice of the NC Pediatric Society, or a guy who profits from the success of the tanning industry?

So that’s my goal within these next couple of days…to place the thoughts I express above in a coherent and professional letter to Representative Avila in such a way that she might at least consider HB18 in the spirit and intention it was written…as a well thought out proposal to address a public health concern.

Dear State Representative

Several states now have legislation under consideration regarding the banning of tanning beds for minors.  This is incredible…but we need your help.  Below is an example letter one might write to his/her state representative, provided by AIM at Melanoma.  This particular letter is written with the North Carolina legislature in mind.  If you live in another state which has pending legislation, you can certainly adjust this letter accordingly for your particular state.

In addition to the copy below, you should also personalize the letter a bit by including your own experience.  Letters which do not appear as form letters have a greater impact, so put some thought and heart into it!

For North Carolinians, I included a few links to the General Assembly after the letter below.  Please make sure to scroll down and check them out.

Here’s the letter:

Dear Mr./Ms. State Representative,

As your constituent, and AIM at Melanoma supporter, I strongly urge you to support HB 18 in order to protect minors under 18 from the known dangers of tanning beds.

I feel it is extremely important to protect our youth from this known human carcinogen. The World Health Organization labeled UV radiation from tanning beds as “carcinogenic to humans.”  They are in the same risk category as cigarettes and we do not allow anyone under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco products. 

In 2013, over 76,600 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. of which 2,620 of those melanoma cases will be reported in North Carolina.

In the last thirty years, the incidence of melanoma among young women has increased as much as 50 percent. Melanoma is now the second most common cancer in women aged 20-29. It is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 25-30 and is second only to breast cancer in women aged 30-34. The rising rate of melanoma is, in part, due to the popularity of tanning salons among young women. Those who begin tanning before the age of 35 increase their melanoma risk by 87 percent.

The current statute does not protect all of North Carolina's youth from the dangers of indoor tanning beds. The indoor tanning industry continues to deny known risks of indoor tanning beds. The industry also provides false and misleading statements to teens and their parents about the health benefits of indoor tanning beds.

In addition, unlike other Group 1 carcinogens such as alcohol and tobacco, allowing parents to decide whether their children can use a tanning bed sends a confusing message about the dangers of artificial UV exposure, which is 10-15 times the concentration of the sun.

The World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Dermatology have recommended that no one under the age of 18 use tanning parlor radiation.

In the interest of protecting teens from the early onset of serious medical conditions, I strongly urge you to support HB 18.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Again, please make necessary adjustments for your state and include your own experience with melanoma and tanning.

Here are some links to help you out.

Click here website for the North Carolina General Assembly.  Make sure to select “Who Represents Me?” to find out your representative.

Click here for a direct link to the Youth Skin Cancer Prevention Act, or House Bill 18 (HB18).  You can monitor the status here.

You may notice that the bill is currently under review by the Committee on Health and Human Services.  Click here for a link to this committee and links to all the current committee members.  I suggest you write to these folks as well!  hey meet every Tuesday at 10:00AM.

With your help in North Carolina, and all across the country, we can ban the tan!

World Cancer Day...February 4, 2013

February 4, 2013 is World Cancer Day.  This is a day when the world’s health organizations join together to tell the world that cancer is a global health priority.  According to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), which organizes this event, 7.6 million lives are lost each year to cancer.  That’s more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. 

This year’s primary message is to dispel the following myths of cancer:

1.       Cancer is just a health issue.  It’s more than that…it has far-reaching socioeconomic and human rights implications.

2.       Cancer is a disease for the rich, elderly and those in developed countries.  Cancer is a global epidemic affecting all classes and races, with a majority of the burden placed upon developing countries.

3.       Cancer is a death sentence.  Cancers that were once considered can now be cured or are highly treatable.  We have a way to goes, but we’ve also come a long way.

4.       Cancer is my fate.  A third of the most common cancers can be prevented with certain lifestyle choices.

 Of course, we who attempt to raise awareness for melanoma have our own set of myths to dispel:

1.       Tanning doesn’t cause skin cancer.  Several studies link all tanning to basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.  Studies have also shown that tanning bed use increases the risk of melanoma by 75%.

2.       You need to tan to get the proper dose of Vitamin D.  While sunlight offers a healthy dose of Vitamin D, it takes less than 20 minutes of exposure to get a daily dose.  Also, most dermatologists will recommend meeting your Vitamin D needs with proper food (milk, yogurt, salmon, etc) or Vitamin D supplements. I have been taking supplements for a couple of years now and my Vitamin D levels have been great!

3.       Getting a base tan offers sun protection.  A base tan is a sign of skin damage that has already occurred.  It is not safer.

4.       Skin cancer can be simply cut out.  Even simple cut-outs can be disfiguring, and in the case of melanoma (and squamous cell), it can spread to other parts of the body if even one cell is missed.  And those who had melanoma removed have a 30% chance of it reemerging.

My life was touched by melanoma when my brother was diagnosed with it and eventually died from it.  My life was touched by cancer before that when my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer after a life-time of smoking, and died in 2005.  I personally had a scare as I was suspected of having prostate cancer several years ago.  I had to undergo two very painful biopsies until I was finally deemed as being clear of cancer.  Cancer has touched my life as I’m sure it has done yours.

Make the proper choices in life to prevent cancer.  If you smoke…stop!  If you tan…stop!  Make sure to discuss possible screenings with your doctor and specific specialists.  My wife gets her mammogram every year.  We all get our skin checked every year.  And this week I’ll be having my first colonoscopy to be screened for colon cancer.  It may not always be a comfortable experience, but it could be a life-saving experience.

There will be nothing “happy” about World Cancer Day until cancer is no longer around to have a day.  So “celebrate” by asking yourself if you’re doing all you can to prevent and defeat cancer…all cancer.

At the Movies...

When I think back to the summers of my youth, I remember hanging out at the swim club during the day and going to summer block buster movies at night.  Of course, that was many years ago when I was oblivious to the dangers of the sun and before commercials were shown prior to the feature film.  I would imagine that teenagers today spend their summers in much the same way.  They may still be unaware of sun safety habits, but I’m sure they’re used to seeing larger-than-life advertising before the summer’s blockbuster.  What better forum to capture the advertising attention of impressionable teens?  Or for that matter…what about a melanoma awareness PSA?

This is exactly what’s going on in Australia now.  In case you didn’t know, Australia and New Zealand sit underneath a huge hole in the ozone, so they get a far greater daily dosage of UV radiation than most.  Of course, this means the Aussies have a far greater risk of skin cancer and melanoma.  They take sun safety VERY seriously!  Despite having temperatures over 100 degrees lately, the public is encouraged to still wear long-sleeved clothing.  Tanning salons are starting to disappear as various districts pass anti-tanning bills, not just for minors, but everyone!  Their national awareness campaigns are fantastic and commonplace.  We could certainly learn from our friends down under on how to spread the word.

But getting back to the movie PSA, the commercial features interviews with friends and family of Wes Bonny…a normal young guy in Australia who happened to die of melanoma at the age of 26.  The ad isn’t happy by any means…it’s eye opening.  Audiences are reported as being shocked and saddened by the commercial, but it’s having a positive effect.  According to the Cancer Institute of New South Wales, “65 percent of those who saw the ad, being shown throughout the summer, intended to increase their level of sun protection after watching it.”  I know that “intending” is far different than “doing,” but these are encouraging results!

It’s time that an effective campaign was born here in the US.  The Wes Bonny ad airs on Australian television as well, but the greatest impact seems to be at the theaters where the audience is totally focused on the action on-screen.  Perhaps the Skin Cancer Foundation, AIM, or MRF will take similar action soon…at a theater near you.

 

 

Six-Word Melanoma Memoirs

Image:  Smithmag.net

Earlier this week, I attended a Memoir Writing Workshop at the local library given by local editor, writer, and poet Alice Osborn.  The first writing exercise that she suggested was to write a six-word memoir.  I wrote several within the given ten minute period:

Twins are very exhausting yet rewarding.

Each day is a new start.

From happy son to worried father.

Finding laughter in every single day.

When does college football start again?

Lived life.  Brother died.  Campaign born!

The last memoir obviously has to do with my personal relationship with melanoma.  This made me wonder what others in Melanoma Nation might say, so I posed the question on my Facebook page.  I felt inspired to share with you:

No self love.  Learned hard way.

Tanning beds.  Stage II.  White Me.

Wasn’t aware.  THANKFULLY survived.  Wear sunscreen!

Since diagnosis, desire to raise awareness.

Stage 4 metastatic aunt lost battle :.(

Frightening dark spot, new bright life.

Lost best friend.  Now melanoma advocate!

A mole.  A beautiful life lost.

I survived!  Get moles checked out!

Spread the word and save others.

Late stage, unknown source, unknown strength!

More blessed than I deserve.  Survivor!

Silent, aggressive killer.  Hope.  Faith.  Believe!

Colorblind doc, melanoma struck.  Just breathe!

Sneaky cancer.  Scared.  Ready to fight!

Stage four, five surgeries, third study?

Keep fighting, tell others, be blessed.

Son 26 years, will win battle.

My sister.  Stage IV.  Miss her.

A great darkness, yet shedding light.

Melanoma.  Life changed.  Roller coaster ride.

Stealing my husband; God help us!

Normal life, melanoma, life changing.

Loved.  Lived.  Family.  Faith.  Cared.  Prayed.

Found it, removed it, survived it!

Each memoir is unique, personal and speaks more deeply than one might think from just six words.  I thank all that shared their thoughts.

There is one more that was not submitted, but I don’t think Susan will mind me sharing Jillian’s words once again.

Fall seven times, stand up eight!

What's your six-word memoir?

Tan-uary? Really?

Image: supretan.com

The Melanoma Education Initiative recently posted a Facebook link showcasing Nicole Polizzi (aka, Snooki) promoting her tanning products.  (Don’t worry, the MEI was NOT endorsing Snooki…they were quite disgusted with her “Tan-uary” promotion).  Her product is one of the many Supre Tan products offered at professional tanning salons across the country.  I discovered this while browsing the website…akin to staring at a nasty car wreck…I couldn’t help it.  Within the site, I found two rather disappointing things.  First was a video of Snooki enjoying herself at the Smart Tan Convention held in Nashville last October.  It wasn’t Snooki herself that disappointed me, but the images of all the tanning beds and accessories on display.  It appeared that many of the tanning beds lain open with the bulbs lit!  I’m not sure I’d even want to walk into that building let alone tour the entire exhibition hall.

Granted, I’m biased.  I’m against tanning beds for obvious reasons.  At the same time, it doesn’t surprise me that there exists such a convention.  All industries have them.  Despite all the recent talk about gun control, there was still a gun show nearby within the last month.  Cigarette use has plummeted in the US, but I’m sure the tobacco industry still has its own gathering.  The Porn Industry has a big convention in Vegas every year (so I’ve heard)…and I’m sure they have their share of protestors.  So I don’t fault the tanning industry for gathering and comparing notes…it’s the American capitalist way.  But the video just oozed ignorance to the dangers of tanning.  The night club like lighting…the glitzy décor…and techno-funk music…all made the tanning biz seem like some non-stop orgy of golden skin delight.  It was sickening.

The second disappointing feature was a “diversion”…a statement regarding Supre Tan’s support of products sold ONLY at professional tanning salons.  Apparently there are quite a few imposters online that could pose a risk to one’s skin health.  Their statement read as follows:

Sure, ‘professional’ tanning products are available on the Internet.  Tempting as it is to buy them online, be warned.  There’s a dark side to these slick imposters.  They’re diverted products that may be contaminated, black market or counterfeit.

Counterfeit products often contain high levels of bacteria and other impurities.  Don’t endanger the health of your skin or the life of your tan.

Buy Supre products only from professional tanning salons.  And spread the word about the risks of buying professional tanning products anywhere else.

It’s your skin.  Take care of it.

Let me repeat the last line…”It’s your skin.  Take care of it.”  Yes, this was written by a company that thrives from the tanning salon market.  A product that studies have shown radically increases one’s chance of skin cancer and melanoma.  A product that is a declared carcinogen by the World Health Organization.  (Claims that the tanning industry will deny and dispute).

Today I read an article where the Skin Cancer Foundation lodged a formal complaint to the FTC stating that the Jersey Shore (Snooki’s show) reruns and subsequent spin-offs continue to promote tanning which in turn encourages young viewers to engage in cancer-causing habits.  The show is claimed to be deceptive as it fails to disclose the links between tanning and skin cancer. 

You may recall that I wrote a similar appeal to MTV back in April.  Read it here.

MTV stated that their viewers can be trusted to understand the difference between entertainment and responsible behavior.  This may be true for many…after all, I can’t imagine ANYONE taking the cast of Jersey Shore seriously.  But there are those that do.  The Skin Cancer Foundation suggested that MTV at least post a warning message at some point during the show.  This may not work overall, but it certainly can’t hurt.  Is MTV’s decision not to air such a disclaimer worth risking the life of one fan that lies in a tanning bed just to be like Snooki?

Pale Guy Reads

I just finished reading “Pale Girl Speaks, a Year Uncovered” by Hillary Fogelson.  To read ANY book is a huge feat for me.  Because of my screwy sleep habits, I usually fall asleep before I scan one paragraph of anything I read short of the comic pages.  I guess pictures keep me alert.  I’ve typically kept up with my literary need through audio books while commuting to work.  Thank goodness I’ve yet to fall asleep at 70 MPH.

“Pale Girl Speaks” kept me alert.  Admittedly, I found it a tad difficult to read at first.  The writing style at the beginning can best be described as frantic.  The book starts with Hillary frantically cleaning her house moments before her parents’ arrival.  (I can certainly relate to this).  But before any expected character development occurs, melanoma appears suddenly and out of nowhere (doesn’t it always?).  Hillary’s frantic disposition refocuses from meeting her parents’ expectations to dealing with cancer. 

Who wouldn’t be frantic at a time like this?  Ms. Fogelson conveys frustration, anger, denial and all of the emotions involved with having melanoma.  Her persona early on is borderline irritating as she constantly calls her dermatologist for the latest pathology report.

“She (her dermatologist) knows all too well I can be a little too…involved.  A tad anxious.  A touch obsessive.  A bit of a fucking nut basket.”

The writing style soon becomes understandable and then eventually transforms very nicely as her year with melanoma is unveiled.  Much of her dialogue with others is written in scripted form (after all, she is an actress).  Again, I was thrown off by this style at first, but then I began to anxiously look forward to the next scripted conversation.

One word of warning…this woman can cuss enough to make a sailor blush.  Sometimes the raunchy words seem a bit unnecessary but in most moments, they add the needed splash of emotional color.  As I read deeper into the book, the mood becomes less frantic and foul and becomes more purposeful and at peace.  Hillary encounters several folks during her volunteer work at the hospital who give her insight as to how others are dealing with the disease.  They touch her.  Her words below echo my own experience with meeting new melanoma warriors.

“I’m meeting people in the most vulnerable time of their lives.  Many of them are confronting their own mortality – a few are still trying to accept their illness, some are struggling to make peace with it, others are looking to make peace with themselves, but all of them are willing to share.  Share all of it with me.  And it’s truly amazing.  These people!  I can’t believe these goddamned sick people!  I am constantly amazed at their strength.  They are so strong, so powerful.”

There are so many great comments in this book.  She has a great single paragraph rant about the frustrations many of us have felt about the general popularity and success of breast cancer awareness.  Like I have stated in the past myself, she doesn’t wish for less funds to go towards their cause, but she states about such supporters, “if they could pull themselves away from their pretty-in-pink ribbons for a goddamned second, they might be able to see that melanoma could use a little cash once in a blue moon.”

Anyone who has been touched by melanoma should most definitely read this book.  For those with melanoma, it’ll prove to be an echoing sounding board.  For those who have supported melanoma patients, it will give you some insight to your loved ones emotions and thoughts. 

Everyone else should also read this book!  Much of the written dialogue has sometimes subtle and sometimes blatant lessons on sun safety, skin cancer prevention, and life with melanoma.  The story of Hillary’s year is a mix of humor, frustration and hope.  Most of all, it’s a story of survival.

I don’t want to reveal any more details of the book than I already have, but I do want to state that the Author’s Notes at the conclusion contain the most powerful words concerning melanoma survivorship.  Do not skip this section!

“Pale Girl Speaks” definitely kept me alert.  The book also inspired me.  To call my father and ask how he’s REALLY doing.  To take one more look at the moles on my body.  To encourage others to keep getting your skin checked.  And to encourage you to read Hillary Fogelson’s story of her one year uncovered.