It’s that time of year again.  The days are getting longer, the air is warmer, baseball teams are back on the field, and the sun is shining—yes my friends, it is almost summer vacation.  Summer—it’s the time for relaxation, outdoor activities, time with friends, and some sweating.  But, there is a harsh reality that we need to keep in mind.  42% of people get sunburned at least once a year.  I know what you’re thinking: rub some aloe on it, you’ll be fine.  But do you really know what happens to your skin when it gets too much sun?

A person's risk for melanoma—the most serious form of skin cancer—doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns.  I am not saying five or more sunburns in one year, no I mean in a lifetime.  Research shows that one sunburn can cause long-lasting damage to the skin. 

Three different types of skin cancers are related to sunburn.  The two most common nonmelanoma skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are directly correlated with sun accumulation over many years. The most common locations for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tumors are sun-exposed areas: the face, ears, and hands.  Melanoma is different. The sun exposure pattern believed to result in melanoma is that of brief, intense exposure –a blistering sunburn—rather than years of tanning.

So what’s to learn from this? Your mom was right; it’s great to play outside, but put on sunblock!

Here are some helpful tips to stay sunburn free this summer:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

It isn’t all completely clear—the days leading up to those words are still a blur. A blur bleeding together and crashing to a halt, “You have bad cells—cancer.”

I was thirteen when I heard the news. Actually, I overheard the results over a phone call meant only for my mother.  Regardless, I knew the truth.  It was overwhelming to say the least. Actually looking back, I can say I didn’t have a clue. CANCER?            

Let’s rewind. I was in seventh grade at Waynesboro Area Middle School, about to begin my eighth season of community softball, and scheduled for my annual physical exam.  Everything was routine—my weight, normal; my height, short; asthma, had it.  Then a pause.  My right temple.  The doctor moved in close.  It was light-pink in color, raised a centimeter off of my skin—nickel size.

An urgent surgery was scheduled. Five blue stitches snuck out from under my bangs.  A softball accident, I told everyone—a very believable story.  I didn’t mention the awaiting biopsy results.  Until a few weeks later, when another appointment was made with a plastic surgeon, they had to go deeper, a few inches. I had bad cells—skin cancer.

Those cells are gone.  The scar will forever remain.  Look closely, you’ll see it—but if you don’t, you’d never know.  Ask me about it? It’s a battle scar.  What battle?  I’ll probably tell you a story about how accident prone I am.  Throw in the other eight surgeries I’ve had since I broke my wrist in sixth grade and hope you forget you asked that question or at least notice that I’m talking in circles to avoid the answer.

But yes, the truth is I’ve had a run in with cancer.  BUT I do not fight back for myself.  I’ve heard the stories others have told, I’ve seen the loss in their eyes. I fight back because my cancer was nothing compared to the world that my eyes were opened to after hearing the news.  My cancer had an easy fix: no chemo, radiation, or long-term medications.  But even without the extensive medical procedures I know the effect the word “cancer” had on me and those around me.

It is pain no one should ever have to experience. Have you ever seen a person’s face when you tell them those three dreaded words? I hope you never have to.  Their reactions will last just as long as your scars.

I’ve had other surgeries since that year—more cancer scares.  In total, I have four additional scars from my battle.  But please, I do not want your sympathy, I do not want extra attention, I do not want your condolences. I am one of the lucky ones. I’ll fight back until everyone’s cure is as simple as my own—until “I have cancer” is a phrase of the past.  That’s what I want from you—your support for everyone who has fought, is fighting, and will fight cancer.  Fight back—it’s worth it.

Let’s talk about tobacco. Cigarettes, cigars, secondhand, and smokeless tobacco products are all proven to cause cancer.  Actually, in 1982 the United States Surgeon General’s reported claimed that “Cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer mortality [death] in the United States.” It’s frightening because this statement is as true today in 2013 as it was over thirty years ago.

Use of tobacco products has been linked to over fourteen different types of cancer which include: cancer of the lungs, mouth, lips, nose and sinuses, larynx, throat, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum, ovary, and even acute myeloid leukemia.  One in five deaths in the United States are caused by tobacco products which equals approximately 443,000 deaths every year.  The figures are very sad—actually the data makes me angry.

In case you’re unaware, use of tobacco products (with the exception of secondhand smoke) is completely voluntary.  Yes, I said it.  People do not have to smoke or chew.  I hate to say it, but it almost seems as if people that choose to use these products are choosing to face cancer—especially since every package includes a label very clearly explaining that use of tobacco products will cause cancer.

Lung cancer is easily the most preventable form of cancer death in our society.  Why? Because if people would just choose not to smoke about 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths would be eliminated.  Nothing frustrates me more than when I see someone smoking/chewing knowing that people die from seemingly unpreventable cancers every day.  Why anyone would choose cancer is beyond me.

For more tobacco related cancer facts go to: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/tobacco-related-cancer-fact-sheet