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TeenWise
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Teen Spotlight
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My name is Kim Clark; I am
14 years old and will be a freshman at Hamilton High School
in Chandler, Arizona. I was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer
at the age of 13. I had a mole removed 4 years prior and it
was found to just be a compound nevus. No one had ever talked
about the importance of sun protection. |
| Well, in the summer of 2004,
my world dropped. I was told I would need another mole taken
off. The test came back that I had melanoma. Surgery was scheduled
in Tucson, Arizona at the cancer center, in which I had radioactive
shots to locate the sentinel node and lymph nodes. When surgery
was performed they found level IV cancer and I had the sentinel
nodes removed and some lymph nodes taken out. I have a 5-inch
scar on my back next to the first scar and I also have scars
under my arm. I had a third surgery this year in March for
more suspicious moles taken off of my neck, forward of the
ear and also the jugular vein area. I have found that make
up does wonders to hide the scars.
I have a positive outlook on life and now
know the importance of sun protection. I continue to play
competitive soccer and am on the state of Arizona Olympic
development team. Skin cancer is the dark side of the sun,
but I have learned, through education, that the best medicine
is to follow simple steps by using common sense. By following
these steps I am able to live my life as normal as possible
and still do the things I enjoy most. |
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Hi, I am Jennifer Pan from
Scottsdale, Arizona. I am seventeen and will be a senior at
Chaparral High School this coming school year. I was first introduced
to the SHADE foundation while volunteering in a quartet for
the first annual SHADE Holiday shopping event. After we finished
playing as background music, I stayed to listen to the different
speakers and became interested in spreading the SHADE message.
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| From then, I tried to come
up with different ideas on how to reach not only the kids
in my high school, but also the public, if possible. My brother
and I decided to host a booth through our Asian American Society
at an annual Chinese Week celebration, which was solely dedicated
to raising funds for SHADE. After he graduated, I continue
to man the booth, educate the public and raise donations for
SHADE. |
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Hi, my name is Jacky Sims
and I am going to be a senior in high school. At the age of
15 I was diagnosed with melanoma. The diagnosis was shocking
and the experience horrible, but the thing that got to me
the most was this: when my mom sat me down and told me that
I had melanoma, I had no idea what she was talking about.
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| As months passed, I found that
I was not alone; barely anyone knew what melanoma was, or just
how serious the cancer can be. I am on the teen council in the
hopes that our efforts can help others become educated about
the disease, the dangers of tanning, and overall melanoma awareness. |
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We asked the three young women some questions about
skin cancer awareness. Here are some of the suggestions, information
and tips they shared with us.
What challenges
have you faced since you started promoting the SHADE message?
Kim:
To be positive with my own feelings. I completed a 13-mile half-marathon
this last year, and have helped raise money to put shade covers
in schools. I have also become involved with the education committee
on the topic of getting schools to teach sun protection to the
children, especially educating them on the correct way to apply
lotion and protect their bodies from sun exposure. I’ve
found that I can’t continually worry about not going out
in the sun, as my life did not end when I was diagnosed with skin
cancer – I learned that my life has only yet begun. I have
become an advocate of taking care of myself and I like to help
people through their ordeals with cancer.
Jen:
I remember the first time I gave a presentation to teenagers about
SHADE and the importance of protecting ourselves I was confronted
by blank stares. I was pretty confused because I wasn't quite
sure why they didn't seem very concerned. After a few more presentations
and adjustments to how I presented, I realized that it was critical
that I have my audience actively participate (question and answer,
sharing stories, etc.) Because in fact, those blank stares were
partly due to their lack of knowledge about sun protection and
partly because of my presentation method. So, I've learned to
pretty much mix my introduction and message together, getting
straight to the point.
Do you have any tips for your peers on
how to stay shaded?
Jacky:
As an athlete, I’ve had to make quite a few adjustments
in my life to avoid the sun. I’ve learned to go on runs
at night or very early in the morning. I’ve learned to always
wear a hat when I’m outdoors-whether I’m out on a
run or just walking to the mailbox. I would highly suggest that
others do the same. Simple things like using a lotion with an
SPF and avoiding the outdoors at the sun’s most harmful
hours are easy to remember and will definitely pay off.
Kim:
Wear hats, sunglasses, protect yourself with the proper clothing
and the proper usage of sunscreen lotion, and stay under cover
in the heat of the day.
Jen:
If you are thinking about wearing a hat, just wear it. If you
even THINK you might need sunscreen, don't hesitate to put some
on. You don't see it as often here in Arizona (although you should),
but in China/Taiwan, it is very common to see people walking around
with umbrellas during the day. Sure it may not be raining, but
that sun is beating down on your skin, so use the umbrella as
some portable shade! You won't regret taking the precautions,
but you will regret it when you ignore them.
What are the most
common questions you have been asked about the disease?
Kim:
They ask me: How did you get Melanoma skin cancer? Why do you
wear protective clothing outside? Why do you have all these scars?
Jen:
How likely is it for me to get skin cancer? How do I know if I
have skin cancer?
Jacky:
The question I receive the most is also the one I find the most
difficult to answer: why did I get this disease? Generally, people
want to know if I was a sun worshiper, if I used sunscreen, if
I have a history of melanoma in the family, and how these aspects
of my life have affected my experiences.
For answers to these questions visit the FAQ’s tab as well
as the Prevention tab and click on Self-Exam and Detection.
What are some
myths you have heard from your peers about skin cancer?
Kim:
“I won’t get cancer from lying in the sun or suntan
salons. Why should I worry about something that only affects people
over the age of 20 years old?”
Jen:
"I'll just get skin cancer when I'm old"
What is the most
surprising thing you have seen or found since raising awareness
for skin cancer?
Kim:
That I’m not the only cancer survivor of melanoma and that
there have been two kids younger than me diagnosed with skin cancer
this last year. I have found strength in God and my friends and
family to get the word out about sun protection.
Jen:
While working at our booth this year, one boy who went on his
field trip for the second time with his school led several of
his friends to us and told all of them to take some Blue Lizard
samples and put it on! I was surprised to see that after spreading
the awareness to the boy, he continued in the same suit by spreading
it to his friends!
Jacky:
Even though I should be used to it by now, I am still shocked
to see how lightly my generation takes the issue of skin cancer.
It seems as though teens feel they are invincible, as if skin
cancer could never affect them. I find it so hard to believe that
now, even with all of the warnings and information about the disease,
teens seem to find more time than ever to work on the perfect
tan.
Do you find that a
lot of your friends and/or classmates use tanning salons? Why do
you think that is? And how do you suggest stopping it?
Jacky:
Tanning salons are definitely a big part of my classmates’
lives. I think that the beds are popular because they are so accessible,
something that can be easily stopped with parental supervision
and legislation.
What are some reasons
why you think teens are obsessed with the sun? How do you think
the obsession can be erased?
Kim:
They think the darker you are, the healthier and more attractive
you are. Living in Arizona, people are obsessed with being in
the sun; education is the only way to erase the obsessions.
Jen:
"Fun in the sun." When the sun is out, it is time to
go to the lake, take a swim in the pool, and get a tan. Nowadays,
looking dark is "attractive". Unfortunately, the what-may-seem
"attractive tan” may turn into a life changing case
of skin cancer. The danger of skin cancer must be spread. People
know what it is, but very few are conscious about their own protection
from the sun.
Jacky:
In our culture, there is a huge misconception that there is such
a thing as a “healthy tan”. In reality, that’s
just an oxymoron. Nonetheless, we’ve been exposed to super
tan models and actresses all of our lives so it’s no surprise
that teens desire that same look. As long as a tan is viewed as
beautiful and healthy, the sun will always be viewed as the perfect
summer accessory. I think the only way to erase this misconception
is to spread awareness, which is why I feel so strongly about
the SHADE Foundation and sharing my story. I want others to realize
that, to me, the sun no longer means swimming and laying out,
and instead it means scars all over my body. My goal is for other
girls to learn my lesson, so they won’t have to learn it
the hard way.
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