As summer came to a close, many students rushed to beaches to ensure they had a tan during the first few weeks of school. Now, as the last tan lines fade, some are already planning tropical vacations for the coming winter.
Returning to campus with a bronze glow in the middle of winter is, for some students, the "goody-bag" of their vacation. But the "goody bag" that college students bring home after sessions of roasting in the sun contains more than just a darker skin tone - it sometimes means the beginnings of melanoma, a deadly skin cancer.
While melanoma is the third most common form of skin cancer, it is considered the most dangerous because it spreads more rapidly than any other kind. Although it can occur anywhere on the human body, the most common sites are those exposed by tanners lying on the beach - the back, chest, abdomen, and lower legs.
Melanoma arises from pre-existing pigmented cells, usually moles, that enlarge, become mottled, change color, and develop irregular surfaces and borders as time passes. Tissue invaded by melanoma may also itch, burn, or bleed easily.
"I always try to wear sunscreen when I think I am going to be outside, hiking or working. My uncle died of melanoma and my entire family's birthmarks and moles were recorded," senior Shawn McDermott said. He added that the marks have to be checked regularly by doctors. College students are especially at risk because they tend to have the time and financial means to spend on extended trips to beaches. Not only vacationers should be concerned, however. Anyone who is exposed to the sun for extended periods of time - while playing sports, for example - should take the necessary precautions.
Californian Alison Meisel, a freshman, explains that although she plays tennis 2 to 3 hours a day in the sun, she wears sunscreen to "avoid the risk."
And although people with dark brown or black skin tend to develop skin cancer less often than those who are fair-skinned, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends at least SPF-15 for all sunbathers.
"My mom is Greek and she told me always to get as tan as I could," senior Alana Welch said. "I never use sun protection."
The fact that today's healthy-looking tans can lead to tomorrow's skin cancer is frightening but true. And students laying on the beach aren't the only ones who get burnt. According to the ACS, the sun's rays are able to penetrate clothing and three feet of water, but many people - like sophomore Yakhira Encarnacion - only consider using sunscreen when at the beach.
As Encarnacion explained, she "makes sure to put on sunblock" when at the beach, but doesn't worry about it when not purposely tanning.
To avoid melanoma, people must limit the time they spend basking in the sun. Unfortunately, most students planning trips to Cancun aren't willing to forgo sunny beaches for a colder destination. For these students, dermatologists recommend limiting time spent deliberately bronzing. The ACS discourages "laying out" for more than two hours each day.
Other ACS guidelines include avoiding or limiting exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest; covering up with clothing, or at least a hat, to keep some of the sun from reaching the skin; using at least SPF-15 sunscreen and reapplying after swimming and sweating; and applying sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun for maximum effectiveness.
Unfortunately, the application of sticky sunscreen often feels like an annoying chore and many opt to skip the process. Those who do use it often don't realize that sunblock is actually more effective than sunscreen in protecting wearers from harmful UV rays, both types A and B, and infrared rays.
Unfounded notions about the effects of sunscreen may also prevent optimum skin protection. "I was taught that sunscreen blocks good rays and lets bad rays in," senior Carmela Fleury said. "Now I don't think about sunscreen because I don't burn."
