Often when people mention to college students that tanning isn’t a good idea, they try and justify it.
They answer in unison, “We know about the dangers.
We want to look good, there will be a cure in the future.”
Not exactly.
Melanoma is the development of malignant pigmentation that has lost organization and appearance that is affected by tanning, genetics, and hormones.
Melanoma occurs primarily in people who blister easily and develop painful sunburns regularly in their early youth.
There is a delay in the expression of damaged DNA, up to 30 to 40 years, therefore, a direct correlation of sun exposure or damage is not always understood.
For instance, the left side of the face is damaged more often than the right side, due to driving, but the damage is not apparent until the age of 40 to 50 years.
Other factors include genetics, such as red or blonde hair, blue eyes, family history, and the presence of many nevi — especially those with bizarre shapes and none identical.
Hormone changes factors also contribute to the development of melanoma.
Melanomas are found to be increased especially on women’s legs, men’s backs and in person’s of color; their nails, hands, and feet. There will be a free skin screening for moles and melanoma on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., put on by the Foreman Foundation, at the Student Health Center performed by a certified dermatologist.
Drew McCausland
President of the Foreman Foundation
