Happy Friday skin ravers!
I don't know about you, but when the month of May comes around I get extremely excited, why you ask?
May is Skin Cancer Awareness month! Not that I'm not engaged and promoting skin health all year round, there's something about May and May weather that just gets the adrenaline level striking upward. This year in particular, I'm thrilled to start a skin cancer awareness initiative to create awareness and provide education so we can help reduce the rate of skin cancer and reduce it's economic burden.
According to the CDC, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer every year. Wait till you hear how much the estimated cost is....8.1 billion dollars. Yes billion dollars, incredible. Not only do people afflicted with skin cancer have to go through some pain and suffering, lost time from work, or be at work and not be fully present and engaged, there is financial suffering as well.
In the next summer months, I plan to spend time in companies, schools, non profits, anywhere I can share information on skin cancer awareness and how to prevent it through early detection and prevention. With skin cancer having such economic burden in our country, I firmly believe everyone can do a part in reducing skin cancer rates and the financial impact.
What can you do to help in the cause?
- become educated yourself on skin cancer and the effects of ultraviolet rays
- learn ways to reduce exposure to ultraviolet rays e.g. scheduling activities during non peak UV exposure times, use of sunscreen and sun protective clothing + accessories
- learn ways to help detect skin cancer early e.g. performing monthly self skin exams +having routine skin exams with a board certified dermatologist
- share information with friends, family and colleagues
- encourage wellness events at work, social or religious organizations to include skin cancer awareness
above - Solumbra catalogs provided by Sun Precautions + publications from the National Cancer Institute
above - Coolibar sun protective catalogs courtesy of Coolibar's Medical Professional VIP program
I'm listing below some helpful links and resources to learn more information and to find out what you can do to help. We can all contribute to the cause! Give me a shout out and share what you're doing...no amount of effort is too small.
https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/programs/screenings/find-a-screening
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-cancer/exec-summary.html
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/