Today is MELANOMA MONDAY, e.g. the yearly designated day by the American Academy of Dermatology to raise awareness for skin cancer and to encourage early detection through self-examination. I’m kinda preachy when it comes to sun protection (#SorryImNotSorry) but, let me explain. Obviously I’m someone who has always HAD to wear sunscreen, due to the fact that my skin resembles a wedding dress, so I’ve never really had a choice to NOT wear SPF…but here’ the thing, I’m posting a photo of myself IN A BIKINI…ON THE INTERNET…so you have to read this whole post. Ok? (nod your head yes)
Seriously, there isn’t any other cause in THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE that could motivate me to post a bikini shot on the internet, so that should give you an inkling to how big a deal I think this stuff is. Melanoma is the seventh most common cancer for women and it’s one of the three cancers with an increasing mortality rate for men. And guys, skin cancer is almost always curable in its early stages (you just have to catch it).
SCARY (BUT TRUE) FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States
- One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime
- One person dies of melanoma every hour (every 57 minutes)
- A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns
So what does that mean for you? It means just BE AWARE. Check your skin for any shapeshifting moles and “freckles” that look different than they used to, have changed shape, feel weird, etc.
Also try to always wear sunscreen…I get it. I know some of you with your gorgeous olive and darker skin tones etc. think you’re ok as long as you don’t burn, but you’re not (I talk about a few favorite sunscreens HERE) because even if you’re not burning, you’re still getting sun damage.
Thanks for listening to my rant and definitely feel free to leave any questions in the comments section.
Have I converted any of you? Have you had your yearly skin check with your dermatologist?
and P.S.- I’m wearing sunscreen in this photo (even though I’m in the shade) and my bikini is by L*Space (top, bottom)
