Sun-basking is just asking for skin woes
"No one knew the sun was bad for us," she said. "Now I don't even like the sun shining on me. It's frightening."
Myers has a lot of company. About 1 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. In 2004, the American Cancer Society estimates 10,250 people will die of skin cancer, and most of the deaths will be related to the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma.
When Myers found out she had melanoma, her mind went back to her sun-tanning days when she never used sunscreen, instead using baby oil to enhance her tan.
"We were just sun worshippers. When you are a kid, you think you are invincible," she said. "My own daughter has been through this tragedy with us, but she still lies out in the sun."
Sancy Leachman, director of the Melanoma Clinic at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, said many people have an "it won't happen to me" attitude and ignore doctors' warnings to get out of the sun. Now, during the dog days of August, Leachman said, sunbathers are out in full force, soaking up the sun to perfect their body bronze.
"What they don't realize is they are doing something that can be life-threatening," she said.
The risks are particularly high in Utah, Leachman added, because the state's higher elevation allows more of the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburns to reach those who are exposed. Utahns also are mostly Caucasians with fair skin, which is highly vulnerable to sunburn-induced skin cancer.
The risk of developing skin cancer for Salt Lake City residents, for example, is 115 times greater than for those living in New York City, according to institute statistics. Estimates indicate 420 Utahns will be diagnosed with melanoma this year.
Despite the statistics, Leachman said many young people are unwilling to heed the advice of doctors because getting skin cancer seems far in the future. She said she often has young patients tell her they would rather be tan now, even if that means having scars or wrinkles later in life.
Comments
- Lawmaker: CIA dir. ended program 11:09 a.m.
- Ships ending search for black boxes 11:07 a.m.
- Charger RB wounded in shooting 11:06 a.m.
- Paris Hilton set to take stand 10:52 a.m.
- Papers plan boycott of Britney show 10:50 a.m.
- A look at the world in pictures 10:41 a.m.
- Arrests in near dragging of officer 10:35 a.m.
- Myths harmless, unnecessary 10:17 a.m.
- Reactions on Boozer speculation 10:15 a.m.
- Obama and pope hold first meeting 10:11 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
137 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
110 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
78 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Letters: Single-payer system best
70 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
Love it when God and nature confound the puny human mind. Timj and others...
Anonymous: You wrote: "If she was from the GOP, they would love her and...
The difference with Utah and YBU recruits is Utah's recruits don't hire PR...
Real news doesn't sell. Tabloid stuff does. You want a free market system,...
Like it or not Boozer is one of the best power forwards in the league. I do...
This is irrelevant since UVU does not have a football team they don't have to...
I too was enamored by this brilliant headline. Sounds like breaking news ......
I've followed this for years, as a business leader and in government. Nick...
@Ethics???: You might want to familiarize yourself with actual facts,...
He controls everything? Are you freakin' paranoid? Did you like it when...



You can be the first to comment on this story.