Question

INTERPRETING THE REAL LIFE STORY: Karen’s Experience

I always disliked how my skin would get pale in the winter because I know I looked better with a tan. During the summer, my friends and I would lie out by the pool in our bathing suits. We wouldn’t even mind if we got a little sunburned, because we would just say “the burn will turn into a tan!” Before our senior prom, we all went to the tanning salon and used the tanning beds. I never thought anything of it, because that was what everyone was doing. But then my older sister was diagnosed with melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. She was only in her early thirties. It turns out that the repeated sunburns she had gotten in the past, and the fact that she spent a lot of time hiking and doing other outdoor activities without ever using sunscreen, had caught up to her. She had to have surgery and go through six months of treatments that made her feel like she had the flu and caused a lot of her hair to fall out. It was a really scary time for our entire family: We didn’t know if she would live. Thankfully, my sister recovered. Now, everyone in our family tries to spread the word about sun safety and reducing the risk of skin cancer. My friends now call me the “sunblock police,” because I am always reminding everyone to use sunscreen when we are out in the sun for an extended period of time. People may think that a tan looks good, but in the end it is just not worth the risk of getting cancer.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. What would you say to a friend that has a habit of “tanning”—spending extended amounts of time in the sun without sunscreen? What about a friend who is using tanning beds because he or she thinks they are healthier than being in the sun?

2. How many hours per week do you spend in the sun? Are you in the habit of using sunscreen when you are in the sun for extended periods?

3. Do you understand how to get daily safe sun exposure to facilitate the production of Vitamin D without putting yourself at risk for skin cancer?

Answer 1

1. Answer:

• To lessen the amount of time spent in sun and to use sunscreen before going outside in sun as sun rays have Ultraviolet radiations (UV-B) which can cause DNA damage and abnormal cell proliferation.

The other friend who is using tanning beds is also exposed to UV rays as tanning beds are also a source of ultraviolet radiations. It also increases the risk for skin cancer. So, he should avoid using tanning beds or reduce the duration.

2. Answer:

• 2-3 hours per week.
• I do use sunscreen whenever I'm out in sun for extended period of time.

3. These are some of the important points which should be considered before going for sun exposure:

• Sufficient amount of skin should be exposed.
• Midday is the appropriate time.
• Lighter-skinned individuals should wear tank tops and shorts and should spend 20-30 minutes in sun three to four times a week.
• Darker-skinned individuals should spend a little longer period of time as their skin contains melanin pigment.