Skin Cancer Eyewitness

Per a study conducted by a group of University of Miami researchers in 2014, there are more tanning salons in the state of Florida than McDonald’s restaurants, CVS pharmacies, and Bank of America businesses. Some may say that this is not really a problem, but others are in awe of this incomprehensible statistic. Those who are not affected by this fact are unaware of the connection between tanning beds, sun exposure, and skin cancer. Indoor tanning and prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultra-violet rays cause many types of skin cancer, including the deadliest form, the dreaded melanoma. Skin cancer is the most prominent form of cancer in the United States. In fact, skin cancer is common enough for experts to divide it into two types, melanoma and non-melanoma. Both branches can be caused by artificial tanning and overexposure to the sun. Sara Tavernise reports in a New York Times article, Warning: That Tan Could …show more content…
Obviously, non-melanoma cancers are the most common, making up almost 99 percent of all skin cancer diagnoses, and oftentimes, these cancers can be easily removed without fear of future relapse. Non-melanoma cancers include actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers tend to form on skin that is exposed to recurrent ultra-violet rays over an extended period. On the other hand, melanoma cancers can be removed by a primary physician, but the follow-up procedures are increasingly serious. Jessica, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, shares her story on a skin cancer awareness page, called Faces of Skin Cancer. Jessica is a two-time melanoma survivor, and an ex-tanning salon patron. She tells of her post treatment direction: “I had instructions to