Break Room Chat

SELF, June 2012

 

Today in the break room at my new job this picture caused a great conversation. Y'all know I don't normally discuss melanoma in my place of employment. It makes me feel uncomfortable and unprofessional. What you don't know is that I am really shy if I am around new people. I become a silent observer until I feel comfortable again. Today, I had to break out of my bubble.

 

Co-worker 1 to other co-workers: "Look at her scar! Her doctor told her it was nothing, it was melanoma."

 

Co-worker 2: "Wow. Her scar is horrible."

 

Co-Worker 1: "Melanoma is scary. I tan like once a year but I can't do it anymore."

 

Co-worker 2: "I tan. That's what this is from, a tanning bed." (Points to face.)

 

Co-worker 4: "I tan too."

 

Me--can't keep quiet any longer: "I have melanoma."

 

...and a huge conversation involving 4 other co-workers takes place. (I even share a dermatologist with one of the co-workers!)

I don't know that my story will make a difference; however, I feel certain that this article in an old edition of SELF forced a conversation that needed to take place. It was obvious that co-worker 1 wanted to get the point across to fellow co-workers that tanning isn't the brightest idea. I'm just grateful I was in the break room when it happened.

Word is getting out there, friends. 

  ............IT MAKES ME HAPPY!

*Must log off computer. I have a speech to write for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Gala which is in TWO weeks! Ah!

Self

I get a lot of joy when I read articles in magazines regarding the dangers of skin cancer. A lot of the information that is out there is only shared within the Melanoma community, so it is a nice change when I see an article in a magazine that caters to every day women.

Self posted a good article for those not yet residents of Hotel Melanoma. The article discusses how the rise in melanoma is an epidemic. They interviewed Marina Peredo, M.D., F.A.A.D, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and founder of Marina I. Peredo, M.D., P.C. Dermatology and Spatique Medical Spa in Smithtown, N.Y, who believes tanning beds are as dangerous as smoking and unprotected sex.

The article goes on to list ways to protect yourself from skin cancer. Read list here.

My favorite quote from the entire article is this, "With melanoma, the difference between life and death is early detection," she says. "A lot of people think, 'Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away.'" No. "If something looks unusual or different -- get it checked. A lot of the time it's nothing, but that's OK! Don't be scared of the unknown," says Dr. Peredo. "But if you do find that something is wrong, get it off your body."

That is advice we need to share, folks.

Share it.

Remember, May begins Skin Cancer Awareness month. How are you going to raise awareness?

Don't forget to find me on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AdventuresWithMyEnemyMelanoma