Certainly one of the most common forms of skin maladies. About 85% of people suffer from acne at some point during their lifetime and over 40% of teenagers will have some form of acne or acne scarring by their mid-teens. Of course, even the most severe acne treatment cases are a far cry from treatment for skin cancer.
Skin cancer is one of the more prevalent forms of the cruel and deadly condition, as it affects approximately one out of every five Americans at some point in their lifetime. While there are many options for treatment for skin cancer, the best scenario is of course preventing it altogether. Every dermatologist doctor will tell you it’s impossible to protect yourself completely; sometimes it’s genetics or bad luck, but there are things you can do to improve your chances.
One Iowa high school is trying to do their part in that effort. According to the Cedar Rapids-area ABC affiliate KCRG.com, the doctors at Mercy Medical’s Hall-Perrine Cancer Center will be bringing back a pre-prom event this Sunday that they started last year. The event will focus on the dangers of tanning beds specifically, as they are popular among teens as they prepare to beautify themselves for these kind of school functions.
“According to the data,” said Dr. Vincent Reid, with the cancer center, “those that start tanning before the age of 35 increase their chances of getting skin cancer by 59%.”
In total, indoor tanning causes about 400,000 cases of skin cancer, each year. Of those, 6,000 are the especially life-threatening form of the disease, melanoma. The event will feature the opportunity to meet a survivor thanks to treatment for skin cancer, as well as hair, makeup, and other healthy beauty/fashion tips.
Early treatment of skin cancer is crucial in containing and preventing it from spreading, but preventing it altogether in the first place should be the number one concern for everyone.
