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The cancer contest
How FHS studetns assess their spring vacations

Jim Bennett - Arrow Staff

"Yeah, spring break was way fun, but, like, I didn't have enough time to tan..."

   Spring break takes students all over the world-Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean-looking for someplace exotic and warm to lounge around for a week. And when they return, these solar sojourners congregate around the water cooler and swap stories and argue over who has the better tan. It strikes those in the medical profession-and myself as well-as a major concern that ultraviolet skin damage is used as a gauge of trip successfulness.

   The National Cancer Institute states that UV radiation is the main cause of skin cancer. This prolonged exposure produces a tan, however this tan is really layers upon layers of skin damage. It can happen on sunny days, cloudy days, or via sunlamps and tanning booths. So, it is no coincidence that countries like Australia and South Africa, areas that receive high amounts of UV rays, have the highest incidences of skin cancer.

   While walking through the halls of FHS, one can easily pick out those who went on the most "successful" of spring breaks. You know them, the folks with a cappuccino-like hue to their skin, and a defined line where their small piece of sunbathing cloth was placed. It bothers me that a fad can be so dangerous. How can people not care about such a life-threatening ordeal?

   Now don't try to skirt the issue, a sun tan is actually physical evidence of radiation damage to the skin. So why aren't students driving their cars into a ditch and comparing the "successfulness" of their drives to school each day? I think you know the answer: because it is destructive. I don't have a problem with being out in the sun, but if you are out there having a good time, take a little extra time and slap on some 15 SPF (or higher) and continue having your good times. Take this lesson with you wherever you go, or take it with a grain of salt. But realize that you only get one shot at this thing called life, and without protecting your body, you put yourself in a compromising situation.

   While the NCI says that if detected early, skin cancer has an extremely high cure rate, its also says that prevention should be taught at an early age. Hmm… so much for that one. Have you ever seen a cartoon depicting sunscreen use? Only when a geek is doing it. Well, geek now, still living later sounds a lot better to me than charred now, scarred later.

   Maybe a tan seems attractive now, but how many students find it trendy to go to the doctor to get a "black badge of style" removed? Skin cancer has a 99 percent cure rate, but why even bother with having to go to the doctor, when one can easily take an extra minute or two and properly apply sunscreen?

   A few tips: wear sunscreen, check yourself for any dark-colored moles, and if you have any suspicions go get yourself checked out by a professional. Stay out of the sun during the "hot periods" (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and wear a hat - a trendy one, of course - that shades your face.