The Media Controls the Mind.

People in the spotlight have the great advantage of making a positive impact on society. They also have the disadvantage of upsetting a lot of people by comments they make. Today, I physically cringed while reading an article about Mike Schmidt’s cancer. The Ex-Phillies great, Mike Schmidt, was diagnosed with stage III melanoma last August. He is just now beginning to discuss his cancer with the public.

Mr. Schmidt has had numerous operations, radiation, and chemotherapy. The York Dispatch wrote that he is going through the third protocol of three different immune system boost treatments and is about a third of the way through the 12-week process. Obviously, he’s fighting melanoma with all he has. We all understand that, respect that, and we wish him well.

Here’s why I started cringing: the article states that the Ex-Phillies great is becoming an unofficial spokesperson for getting ones skin checked. OK, that’s wonderful. However, when discussing the new chapter in Mr. Schmidt’s life, he says, “I can think of a diagnoses that could be a hell of a lot worse. Cancer is a scary thing. Mine’s skin cancer.”

No joke. I cringed. My shoulders tensed. My jaw dropped.

Let me define stage III melanoma: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “At this point, the tumor has either spread to the lymph nodes or to the skin between the primary tumor and the nearby lymph nodes.” This means it has gone through the skin. In my opinion, if this has happened, the cancer can no longer be classified as “skin cancer.” It’s melanoma. Stage III malignant melanoma.

Mr. Schmidt also said, "I have to have scans every three months. Who knows what and when and where something's going to come up. That stuff travels around you microscopically. Until you have a year's worth of scans that show no residue and they tell you you're cancer free, all you can do is treat it."

We all know that he's going to always need to be followed, don't we? Sigh.

Please feel free to read this article yourself. Maybe I’m overly sensitive to it all and overreacting (wouldn’t be the first time!), but it sounds to me like Mr. Schmidt needs to be educated a wee bit more on the seriousness of his cancer. 

Maybe he wants to downplay the seriousness of melanoma to the public? Maybe he’s in denial? Or what scares me the most, what if he just hasn’t been clearly informed? But, he, someone who is speaking about his battle with cancer to the media, is doing our cancer, melanoma, not a lick of good. We’re fighting so hard to have melanoma taken seriously, and to see this article, well, it gave me a clear flashback to the many times I’ve been told, “at least you don’t have a real cancer.”

I do have a real cancer.

And, Mr. Schmidt, so do you.

Tanning Bed Gossip

Tanning salon owners are not having an easy go of it lately. Folks are spreading the dangers of tanning beds in all kinds of different places. We have an article on a famous magazine's website, states are trying to pass bills that will prevent teens from visiting tanning salons, and top modeling agencies in Australia have a strict 'zero-tolerance' policy on the use of tanning beds. I am sure it sucks to be a tanning salon owner right now. For us in the melanoma world, this is progress!

Cosmo recently published an article about the lies that tanning salons will spread. Oh, it is interesting... It discusses a survey that was conducted where 300 salons over the country were visited. 90% of the salons visited said that tanning beds would not harm your health. 51% of the salons said that tanning beds did not raise your risk for tanning salons. It is unbelievable to me that tanning salons get away with such lies, but I'm sure tobacco factors got away with it a few years ago too. Read more of the article here: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/celebrity/news/tanning-salon-lies-020712?src=soc_fcbks

Maryland and West Virginia are becoming very close to passing a bill that will prevent teenagers from using tanning beds. Woo hoo! If the state regulated this, how many lives will be saved?! I know that some people argue that parents should control what their children are allowed to do. Parents should be involved enough with their children to know that tanning isn't safe for their JV cheerleaders, future movie stars, and little divas. Then you hear reports like this one that shows that some children need to be protected from the parents. Idaho is trying to pass a law that will keep minors from visiting tanning salons. In obvious protest against this law, Colleen Skaar, a owner of 2 salons has spoken out. Skaar believes that folks in Idaho do not receive enough Vitamin D to keep their "bones healthy." Skaar is so willing to put all of her confidence into the safety of tanning beds that she began a tanning regimen for her 4 year old grandson.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Oh, oh, oh...Colleen Skaar also reminds folks, Dr. Oz supports tanning beds.

Gag.

The more that the media talks about tanning bed dangers, the more people will begin to question just how safe those beds are.

Keep talkin', folks, keep talking.

Dr. Oz. vs Chelsea Handler

The media has the ability to make or break things. I mean, it is Coco Chanel's fault that tanning became popular in the first freaking place. The media has the ability to change the mind of every single person in one way or another. This is why I am pissed off at Dr. Oz and a little in love with Chelsea Handler.

Dr. Oz recently aired an episode that featured Dr. Joe Mercola. During the episode, Dr. Joe Mercola recommended UVB tanning beds as a source for Vitamin D. Dr. Oz played right along with it. "It's going to shock you all, so listen carefully!" I can't even describe this conversation...You all need to watch this. View clip here. Dr. Oz actually says, "I am re-thinking tanning beds." He does stress that he is not suggesting tanning beds for a tan, but for a health benefit for vitamin D. But still, how many people heard this and said "Finally! A doctor is finally admitting that tanning beds are safe!"

Like the warriors that we are, melanoma folks from all of the world attacked Dr. Oz for this clip. We posted on his website, we sent emails, we shared his link expressing our anger at such an idiotic thing for a doctor to suggest. Here we are, fighting for our lives, and a doctor is suggesting 3-5 minutes in the tanning booth. I guess the folks who work for Dr. Oz heard our anger. Today, Dr. Oz released this statement. that discusses how he believes no tan is a healthy tan. He says, boldly, " In am in no way recommending the use of tanning beds. No tanning bed is safe – avoid them entirely." 

Interesting, Dr. Oz, because that is not what I assumed while watching your show.....


Yesterday I saw something in the media that made me smile and be proud that information is getting out that. Comedian Chelsea Handler had the super tan Pauly D from Jersey Shore on her show. During the interview Chelsea questions Pauly about his sunburn and tanning bed habits. She tells him that tanning is dangerous and that she does not want him to get cancer. He says something like "Thank you, I appreciate it" and she automatically responds, "No, you don't!" Chelsea blurts out that because of tanning bed use, chances for skin cancer rise to 75%. She is right, they do!

Chelsea says, "you know how bad the tanning booth is for you, right? Seriously, you need to get a spray tan. GIRLS, listen to me!" Pauly D, of course, uses the excuse that he gets his vitamin D from the tanning booth. Plus, he likes to feel the warmth from the tanning bed. She immediately responds, "Then you deserve cancer."

Ha!

Chelsea does not let her lecture end there though. Later on during the show, Chelsea says, "Girls love this show. This is me and my girls, that's why I'm telling my girls not to go tanning because I want to protect young girls. And they shouldn't go tan. You can get a spray tan. I mean, they don't smell great but they are a better alternative."

I knew I liked that Chelsea.



If you want to view some Truth about Vitamin D, view these sites: Black is the New Pink, The Skin Cancer Foundation,  Mayoclinic.com

Media

I can't really remember life before the internet. Sure, I kind of remember how exciting it was to have dial-up in our own home, but honestly, it seems like it has been around forever. Thanks to the internet, spreading awareness for important (and not-so-important) causes is much easier than before.

I came across this great video yesterday. Before I watched the video I saw that it was directed by Whitley of Jackass. I've seen Jackass for all of 10 minutes before I realized it wasn't my type of thing, so I was a bit surprised with how much the video amused me.


Watch Video Here

Luckily, I haven't had a skin check in the middle of New York City, but the video definitely brought back some memories. Awkwardly posing while a nurse takes pictures of my moles? Done. Being stripped down in just a barely there robe while the doctor awkwardly tells you to lift this arm and that two, and searches through my scalp to make sure there is no hidden melanoma anywhere? Done. Knowing that "Skin Cancer Takes Friends?" Done. Bottom line: Get checked. It only takes a few minutes and it will provide you with a few giggles, I promise. (Right, Tammy?!!)

I also came across this article yesterday. It discusses what you should tell teens when talking to them about the dangers of tanning. As I have discussed with my friend Laura, threatening cancer will not be enough to make teenagers think twice about tanning. Letting them know how ugly their scars will be after a skin cancer scare will hit home. No one--especially teenagers--want to be "ugly." Like the article says, "Now I'm sure that you don't fake bake, since you do not have the time or inclination to splay your bikini-ed body in front of blinding lights in some claustrophobic capsule housed in a strip mall . . but your teenage daughter or son might." Talk to them.

Another great thing happened in the melanoma world yesterday. "AIM at Melanoma, the largest international foundation dedicated to melanoma research and patient advocacy, announced today the California Senate approved and sent to Governor Jerry Brown, Senate Bill 746, which would ban children under 18 from using indoor tanning beds." This is WONDERFUL! If this passes, teenagers, regardless of their parents, will not be allowed to use tanning beds. The way I see it, folks can't legally buy their smokes until they are 18 and they are known to cause cancer. Why should tanning be allowed? This makes me extremely happy. I hope other states follow in California's footsteps.

I posted all 3 of these items on my personal Facebook page. I am sure I annoy some people by my constant preachin' about the dangers of skin cancer and tanning; however, I continue to see people bragging about their tanning bed loving ways. I also see a lot of young parents posting pictures of their SUPER sunburned children. Maybe, just maybe, one of these articles that I post will encourage them to think twice.

And hey, if I annoy them with a cause that is important to me, maybe they should delete me anyway! ;-)

Happy Wednesday! XO