Melanoma Message
Many people think melanoma is not-so-serious cancer. It’s only skin cancer after all, right?
Wrong! If those are your thoughts regarding melanoma, think again. Melanoma is actually one of the most gravely serious of all cancers, particularly for women.
Melanoma Facts
- Melanoma is the most common cancer diagnosis in women ages 25 to 29.
- 1 person dies of melanoma every single hour of every day (actually one every 52 minutes).
- An estimated 10,130 people will die of melanoma this year.
- A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.
- Tanning beds increase your risk of melanoma by 75 percent.
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a proven human carcinogen.
- More people develop skin cancer because of tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking.
- Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.
Sources: Melanoma Research Alliance and Skin Cancer Foundation
Melanoma Personal Experience
If those facts aren’t enough to convince you of the severity of skin cancer (particularly melanoma), allow me to share a personal story…
Ten years ago this August (it’s so hard to believe it’s been ten years), a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma at age 34. Sadly, Julie lived only 14 months longer. She passed away in November of 2007 at the young age of 35. Tragically, she left behind three children who were only 7, 4, and 1 at the time.
I’ve seen first hand the power of melanoma and the devastation it can leave in its wake. It’s not worth it, folks. Protect yourselves!
5 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Melanoma
So, what can you do? Here are five simple recommendations from the Melanoma Research Alliance:
- Wear Sunscreen.
- Make sunscreen a daily habit. UV radiation can still damage skin even in the winter and on cloudy days. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays) with SPF of at least 30.
- Wear Protective Clothing.
- Protect your body with sun-protective clothing, hat, and sunglasses.
- Avoid Peak Rays.
- Seek shade during the mid-day sun, when the sun’s rays are most intense.
- Don’t Use Tanning Beds.
- As mentioned above, indoor tanning has been shown to increase the risk of melanoma by up to 75%.
- Melanoma is the number one new cancer diagnosed in young adults (ages 25-29), and scientists attribute this trend to the use of tanning beds among this age group, particularly young women.
- Protect Children.
- Just one bad sunburn in childhood or adolescence doubles your child’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.
In addition, monitoring your own skin is critical. Check out these two very useful infographics for tips on how to do so:
1. ABCs of Melanoma Detection
2. Every Day, Month, Year Monitoring
Cover Swim
Another component to staying safe in the blistering summer sun is to choose your swimwear wisely. Cover Swim can help you do that in style and comfort.
Founded in 2008 by fellow Texan Lisa Moore, Cover was the first stylish sun-protective swimsuit line for women. Lisa recognized that there were sun safe swimsuit options for her children, but not any for her. Seeing that void in the market, Lisa created Cover to keep her and other moms and women safe in the sun. Utilizing a revolutionary microfiber material, Cover swimsuits have UPF 50+ and block 98% of UV rays.
Ironically, just two years after founding Cover, Lisa’s sister was diagnosed with melanoma at the young age of 22. Thankfully, the melanoma was caught and removed early, but this personal encounter with melanoma only served to drive home the importance of the mission of Cover.
Our 12 Favorite Cover Swimsuits
To aid you in finding a great Cover swimsuit, we’ve rounded up our 12 favorite currently available pieces.
I love my one-piece, long sleeve suit! I have to say I was surprised at how light and breathable the fabric is. I stayed cool and comfortable all day. I’ve also found the suit to be well-suited to active, athletic water activities. I wore it when we went rafting in Colorado recently.
Two more great things about Cover: (1) Cover is committed to designing and manufacturing in the U.S., and (2) Cover is a partner of the Melanoma Research Alliance.
In general, you can shop for Cover swimsuits at Everything But Water, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Shopbop.
For more summer skincare tips, be sure to check out the article Kathleen Jennings of BeautyNow wrote for us: 7 Summer Skincare Essentials.
What do you do to stay safe in the sun? I’d love to hear! Thanks as always for visiting Wear + Where + Well.
Photos by Ashley Cardoza
What a powerful message. when working as a lifeguard on a lake everyday we were in the sun all day and I was very worried about burning and harming my skin, everyone joked that I would wear at least 60spf everyday but I don;t regret it as I still got a nice tan but I never burned. I really love all these suits especially the long sleeve, thanks for a wonderful message Carrie.
Have a wonderful day <3
Sydney | http://styledbys.ca
Also how did you get your name on the s’well!!! I love it
Oh good question! I’m not even sure. My mom got it for me for my birthday. Let me ask her… I love it!
Smart girl! It’s really hard to think about the long term effects when you’re so young. Proud of you, Sydney!
Hi Carrie,
What a great message! I have fair skin and treat it carefully (along with my kids’). I purchased one of the skin products / sunscreen from your post from several weeks ago.
I recall when your friend passed away (through your old blog, I think). Very sad.
Your message is so important…sadly so many young girls still think tanning is attractive 🙁
Sheri
Wow Sheri – I didn’t realize we had been connected so long.
Yes I remember when people thought it was really cool to be super tan. And there is still an element of that. But nothing about increasing your risk of skin cancer is cool or attractive.
Thanks for the comment. Hugs –
so love that you shared this– such an important message. xoxo.
Big thanks, Gabby. Great to hear form you. Xo
Very informative post! I hope many people take it seriously! I have black skin but never stay too long in the sun without sunscreen! Thank you for sharing!
xo Yvonne
http://www.aproposh.com
Thanks for saying that, Yvonne!
Sun protection is so important! I feel so pale these days, but at least I know that I’m being healthy with my big hats, sunscreen and UPF swimwear.
And as always, you look gorgeous! Details on that monogrammed S’well bottle please!
xx Nina
http://www.theHSSfeed.com
Pale and healthy is better than burned and unhealthy, my friend!
You know, actually, my mom got it for me for my birthday. Let me find out how / where she got it monogrammed. I love it!
What a powerful post carrie, I burn super easy so I wear like 80 SPF and wear hats and try not to stay in the sun for to long, I love being tan but sometimes its not worth it!! side note!!! I love your suit and your swell bottle , I see your used custom ordered one its very cute.
http://xoxobella.com
Yes, better to be safe than tan! Be careful with your fair skin, sweet girl.
Isn’t it cute? That was a birthday gift from my family. 🙂
Amazing post and a great message!Thanks for sharing Carrie.
xo
Jyo
Thanks for saying that, Jyo! Be safe with all that beach time you have. Xo
Such an important post – thank you for creating this, Carrie!
Thanks for saying that, Jenn! It is a cause that’s dear to me. Hugs –
First off, damn girl! You look AMAZING! Second, love that you are helping people be aware of skin cancer risks. From someone who is so freckled, i am always at a higher risk! it’s scary!!
Thanks on both counts, my friend! Keep being careful, okay? Xo
Looking fine!!!
Have a nice day!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com/
Thanks, Gil! Have a good day.
So important, and strong message! The cover swimsuit looks great on you!
http://violettedaily.com
Thanks for saying that, V. Have a good day.
That swimsuit <3<3
Xoxo
Anela from Fashion Roulette
http://www.fashionroulette.net
Isn’t it great? Thanks, Anela.
This blue color looks gorgeous on you!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Thanks so much, Yuka!
I love the blue color of this swimsuit! Thanks for sharing all the info! =)
~Alyssa~
shesalyssarenee.com
Follow Me:
Instagram | Facebook | Bloglovin
Thanks, Alyssa! I appreciate you stopping by.
Beautiful post I’m glad you shared! You look stunning in these pictures x
Jessica — WS Community
Yes I remember when people thought it was really cool to be super tan. And there is still an element of that. But nothing about increasing your risk of skin cancer is cool or attractive.
We totally agree with that message!