Cancer Survivor

 

I couldn't sleep last night. I tossed. I turned. My husband probably thought a few times about pushing me out of the bed. I tossed and I turned some more. What would have me up at 2:30 A.M. in such a fit? The title "Cancer Survivor."

Some of you know that wearing the hat "Cancer Survivor" makes me cringe and quickly change the subject. To many people who have not battled melanoma, that probably seems ridiculous. After all, I've sat half naked on a cold exam room when the dermatologist mumbled those two words, "it's melanoma." I've seen the sympathy in the nuclear medicine tech's face as the radiologist informed me of the "hot spots" on a scan. I've looked an oncologist in the eyes as he told my then-boyfriend and I that melanoma would not kill me "right now." (And then I basically fired him.) I spent a month recovering from a brutal surgery only to have a more invasive surgery a month later that kept me in the hospital for 4 nights. I knowingly signed up for a 3 year clinical trial involving a placebo and a drug the doctors didn't know all that much about for stage 3 patients all because I didn't like my two other choices: "watch and wait" or Interferon.. I FINISHED the 3 year clinical trial with only a few bad memories. I've spent 3 and a half years of my time and effort sharing my story on every social media outlet in hopes of saving one person from making the poor decisions I've made. I've traveled to Richmond and met with committee members begging for them to protect Virginia's teens from the dangers of tanning beds. I went from having no scars on my body to having more than I can count. But I still cringe at being called a survivor. 

Why?

I am surviving. Every new mole, every swollen lymph node, every 3 months with the oncologist and dermatologist, we do what needs to be done to make sure we keep one step ahead of melanoma. And despite that, the sneaky beast has come back twice. So tonight, when I walk the stage with other cancer survivors at Cure By Design, I'm walking for all of my mole-mates who are no longer here to strut the stage. I'm walking in honor of my melanoma friends, many I've never met, as thanks for the love and support you continue to give me. I'm walking as a survivor because I know that's what they would want. I'm walking as a survivor because that's what I intend to do: survive.

To learn more about the Cure by Design event that sponsors the American Cancer Society or to donate in honor of your favorite cancer survivor, please click here.

No Turning Back

Dear Politicians,

I watched you roll your eyes last year. I heard you say there was no need to ban minors from using indoor tanning beds, that we should let parents be parents. I shot a dirty look in your direction when you laughed at us and stated, "You can't stop them from spending 7 hours at Virginia Beach, why should we ban this?" I cringed when you acted like you--the people we are supposed to trust to make the best decisions for us--should spend time worrying about other things, not something so silly as a machine that is responsible for the 400,000 cases of skin cancer, about 6,000 of them melanomas, that are estimated to be related to indoor tanning in the United States each year. (Source.)

Well, elected officials we are supposed to trust, the acting Surgeon General disagrees with you.

(l-r) Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh, Stacey--ACS CAN volunteer and skin cancer survivor and Acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Boris D. Lushniak (source)

"I’ve got to, as acting surgeon general, call out the facts. And the facts are that indoor tanning is a source of ultraviolet radiation, period. Ultraviolet radiation is a known carcinogen, period. This is a needless exposure to ultraviolet radiation. According to research…we’re looking at about 400,000 cases of skin cancer, about 6,000 of them melanomas, that are estimated to be related to indoor tanning in the United States each year. So I have to look at this as being a major problem. We certainly know it’s something that’s become popular amongst youth. And much like the surgeon general comes out very vehemently against youth smoking, I am coming out quite vehemently against youth exposing their skin to ultraviolet radiation in tanning booths." 

-Acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral (RADM) Boris D. Lushniak, M.D

Today the acting Surgeon General released his Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer. The report says, "Despite efforts to address skin cancer risk factors, such as inadequate sun protection and intentional tanning behaviors, skin cancer rates, including rates of melanoma, have continued to increase in the United States and world wide." The report goes on to share other info that has been gathered and five goals that we need to aim for to solve the "major health problem" of skin cancer.

Acting Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak told CNN, "Until today, the surgeon general has never said, 'UV radiation is bad for you; protect your skin."

This is a game changer, folks.

I also learned that this is the first Call to Action from the Surgeon General in 3 years. The last was regarding mothers and breast feeding.

I could summarize everything for you that the Call to Action stated, but I believe you should take the time to read it yourself. There's some good info there, folks. Info that I do not believe our elected officials can argue against.

To read the summary of The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer: click here.
To read what the American Suntanning Association has to say in response: click here.
To read what the American Cancer Society has to say in response: click here.
To read what the Melanoma Research Foundation has to say in response: click here.
To read what the Skin Cancer Foundation has to say in response: http://www.skincancer.org/news/surgeon
To read what the Melanoma Research Alliance has to say in response: click here.
Article on USA Today regarding this Call to Action: click here.
Article on CNN regarding this Call to Action: click here.
Article on MSN regarding the Surgeon General's report: click here.


I applaud you, Acting Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak, for recognizing the need for this call to action. If states were slow to recognize their important role they have in helping decrease the amount of lives traumatized by skin cancer, this should help enforce why new policies have to be put in place. Too many lives depend on it.

Acting Surgeon General, you've made this melanoma diva a very happy girl.

A step in the right direction....Ah, it feels so good.

Please Help!

Do you live in Virginia? Do you know someone who does? I need you to step away from the cat pictures, and the silly Youtube videos for 3 minutes and fill out this form! :-) 

Why, you may ask?

On Thursday a committee in the Virginia General Assembly will consider a bill that would stop teens who are under 18 from using tanning beds. PLEASE consider filling out this form that will be sent to your local delegate that shows your support for this IMPORTANT bill. It takes less than 5 minutes & it has the possibility of helping to protect VA's teens! 5 minutes, folks!

 

https://secure3.convio.net/acscan/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=10104 

 

Some people have mentioned that the form didn't go through. If so, please take an additional 3 minutes and check this page to see who your delegate is and get his/her email address. I know it's a hassle, but please let them hear from you as to why they should vote to pass this bill. Here's the link if you have trouble with the link above: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/VGAMain?openform

 

Thank you in advance for your help. Let your voice be heard!  

Options.

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack from my wedding & honeymoon, friends!

And it was fabulous.

 Before I share too much with you, I need a huge favor.

Do you know anyone who lives in Virginia? If so, I need you to pass along this information.

The Joint Commission released information regarding indoor tanning and minors. They presented the most recent research, including the fact that melanoma is the second most common cancer in women between the ages of 20-29, and the third most common cancer in men between the ages of 20-29.

Now they have given us 3 options asking us how they should handle this new information:

Option 1: Take no action

Option 2: Introduce legislation prohibiting persons under the age of 15 years from using tanning devices at tanning facilities; and requiring a parent or legal guardian of unemancipated persons 15-17 years of age to provide written consent prior to allowing the minor to use a tanning device at a tanning facility.

Option 3: Introduce legislation prohibiting unemancipated persons under the age of 18 years from using a tanning device at a tanning facility.


Y'all know that option 1 is just not acceptable for me. We have too much research that proves the dangers of indoor tanning for teens to simply ignore it. I find that doing nothing with this information is lazy & irresponsible.

Option 2 still isn't good enough for me. Why? My mom loves my sisters and me more than anything in this world. That being said, back when we were kids, she signed those consent papers that allowed us to tan because none of us knew any better. We were not fully educated on the damage those coffin-like beds do to our young skin! Would she willingly approve something so harmful? No. And I know that she will always regret signing those consent papers. (Sadly, she's not the only parent with those same regrets.)

Option 3 is my pick. Virginia doesn't allow our teens to smoke. If tobacco is classified as the same carcinogen as UV rays, why is one outlawed, and the other is not?

I am BEGGING you to take the time to review this research and send in your opinion to sreid@jchc.virginia.gov.


Please, please, please don't miss out on an opportunity to let your voice be heard. I'm begging you.

Comments must be submitted by November 12th.

Please don't allow future teens, and their parents, to make the same poor decisions that we did.

Lots of love,

Mrs. Dawson!

Lights of Hope

Imagine seeing approximately 10,000 luminaries honoring people who have been touched by cancer.

It would be an emotional and rewarding experience, yes?

Source 

You have an opportunity to participate next month!

The 3rd annual Lights of Hope Ceremony in front of the U.S. Capitol will be held on September 10th. There will be approximately 10,000 luminaries shining that night all around the reflecting pool as part of the annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Each of the luminaries has the name of someone who has been touched by cancer written on it. I encourage you to watch the slideshow here that hits on the highlights: http://acscan.org/events/view/event/2050

If you are unable to make it to DC for this, you can still donate. For just $10.00 you can honor someone. Their bag will shine in front of the U.S. Capitol. 

I can't make it to DC this year since I'll be just coming back from my next NYC oncology visit, but I really hope some of you are able to attend. I would LOVE to see your pictures and hear about the event. I attended an American Cancer Society event after my grand father passed away from lung cancer, and I can still remember how special it was. Although I can't attend, I will be donating in honor of a few special people!

If you would like to learn more about the event: http://acscan.org/events/view/event/2050

If you would like to donate: https://secure3.convio.net/acscan/site/Donation2?df_id=6788&6788.donation=form1