Please use sunblock, peeps, you'll thank yourself one day
I have a friend who told me yesterday she has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma. She noticed a mole last June that seemed to have changed and mentioned it to her GP, who said it was didn't look dangerous and was probably nothing but that she might want to have a dermatologist look at it. Well she didn't take that too seriously and put it off until November, when she finally made an appointment (earliest date available being January). The dermatologist took one look, said "That is highly disturbing and needs to come out NOW, today" and they cut it out. It was a 6mm mole (huge by skin cancer standards), had it biopsied, and it's malignant. She's going in for further tests and surgery to scoop out a large section of leg to make sure they got it all and any roots, and to see if it's spread to her lymph nodes. Right now she is classified as Stage 1; if it has spread the prognosis is not very good.
Everyone, USE SUNBLOCK WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE. And find out what moles are supposed to look like and see a dermatologist at least once a year for a full-body check. Ask your hairdresser to look at your scalp when you get a haircut. (Don't rely ONLY on your stylist, of course.) If you see something, don't wait. My friend is 46 years old and she might be told she's got a few years left.
Honestly, the tan look is really out. (And you can always get it in a bottle if you really want it.) I cannot tell you how many men are highly drawn to porcelain skin. Try it! :-)
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/patient
http://www.skincancer.org/melanoma/index.php
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/melanoma.html (warning, gross pictures)
Everyone, USE SUNBLOCK WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE. And find out what moles are supposed to look like and see a dermatologist at least once a year for a full-body check. Ask your hairdresser to look at your scalp when you get a haircut. (Don't rely ONLY on your stylist, of course.) If you see something, don't wait. My friend is 46 years old and she might be told she's got a few years left.
Honestly, the tan look is really out. (And you can always get it in a bottle if you really want it.) I cannot tell you how many men are highly drawn to porcelain skin. Try it! :-)
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/patient
http://www.skincancer.org/melanoma/index.php
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/melanoma.html (warning, gross pictures)