it hurts or anything like that, but because I love the beach. And cancer and the beach just don't go together. I walked in his examination room and his nurse asked if I had any concerns. "My only concern is that he will be upset with me," I told her. "Just look at me. I'm tan all over. I just got back from the shore last week. I guess this was a bad time to schedule my appointment." She looked sympathetically at me, gave me my gown, told me the opening goes in the back, and walked out the door. She knew the trouble I was in. And ..... so did I. Ten minutes later in walks Dr. Brod, the "Close-talker." My daughter gave him that name years ago because he examines you with a magnifier on his head and is usually no more than 6" from you as he is talking to you. Dr. Brod is a great guy and I have so much respect for him. He is a leader in the field of skin cancer in the state of Pennsylvania and has a bill he is sponsoring in the PA House to outlaw tanning salons for anyone under the age of 18. He really cares about his job and carries a smile on his face all the time. And ....... I'm making it harder for him!! "Mr. LDub, looks like you've been out in the sun. You know that isn't good for you," he says, matter-of-factly. I replied, "I just got back from a week at Ocean City, NJ with my family." "I like Ocean City, but haven't been there for quite some time," he says. Then I told him about an editorial in "The Press of Atlantic City." I picked up a copy most days during vacation and one day the editorial appeared titled "Tan Responsibly." "Boy, is that an oxymoron," he said. "You should have brought me a copy of it. I would be interested in reading it." I told him, "Give my your email address and I'll send you a copy." He grabbed a pen and jotted it down. He started his exam and stopped at a small scab that I had picked at on my right jaw. "Do you mind if I take a sample of this?" he asked. Hey, that's what I came for. He then told me that 75% of skin cancer is found from the neck up and 75% of that cancer is on the nose. Why? Exposure to the sun!! Duh! As he continued with my exam, we talked about a few of the points that were made in the editorial. It said that skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the US, with one million new cases each year. Last year melanoma claimed 8,700 lives. It also said that the FDA has established new guide lines for sun-protection products. They must indicate if they protect against A and B ultraviolet rays. It tells that we know tanning is bad for us, but we won't give it up. We admire the bronze bicep and the ruddy calf and we associate a tan with an active, outdoor lifestyle. In my case I probably was brainwashed by the Beach Boys songs. I so love the beach and that environment, but I do use sunscreen and an umbrella while I lounge, read and have a drink by the water. But, the sun's rays still get to me. "The Press" says that they care about their visitors and want them to return year after year, but to make sure you "Tan Responsibly." What else could they say? Well, my exam is over and the only thing he found this trip was the mark on my jaw. I believe he was amazed that was the extent of my problems after seeing my bronze color. He told me he would see me in 9 months and to make sure I wear my hat and stay out of the sun. I didn't make him any promises, except for telling him I would email him the article. Which I did! The staying out of the sun will be the hard part. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo of Dr. Brod with his smiling greeting.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The "Tanning Responsibly? Part 1" Story
It was an ordinary day. Just got back from the dermatologist. Every 9 months I head to Dr. Brod's office for my usual overall check-up. Been doing it for about 10 years now. I have a history of skin cancer so I don't miss a session. My mom has had two bouts of melanoma and I have had several spots of basil cell and a squamous cell spot removed over the years. Documented a couple posts on my blog in the past two years. I know I have to go, but I dread going. Not because it hurts or anything like that, but because I love the beach. And cancer and the beach just don't go together. I walked in his examination room and his nurse asked if I had any concerns. "My only concern is that he will be upset with me," I told her. "Just look at me. I'm tan all over. I just got back from the shore last week. I guess this was a bad time to schedule my appointment." She looked sympathetically at me, gave me my gown, told me the opening goes in the back, and walked out the door. She knew the trouble I was in. And ..... so did I. Ten minutes later in walks Dr. Brod, the "Close-talker." My daughter gave him that name years ago because he examines you with a magnifier on his head and is usually no more than 6" from you as he is talking to you. Dr. Brod is a great guy and I have so much respect for him. He is a leader in the field of skin cancer in the state of Pennsylvania and has a bill he is sponsoring in the PA House to outlaw tanning salons for anyone under the age of 18. He really cares about his job and carries a smile on his face all the time. And ....... I'm making it harder for him!! "Mr. LDub, looks like you've been out in the sun. You know that isn't good for you," he says, matter-of-factly. I replied, "I just got back from a week at Ocean City, NJ with my family." "I like Ocean City, but haven't been there for quite some time," he says. Then I told him about an editorial in "The Press of Atlantic City." I picked up a copy most days during vacation and one day the editorial appeared titled "Tan Responsibly." "Boy, is that an oxymoron," he said. "You should have brought me a copy of it. I would be interested in reading it." I told him, "Give my your email address and I'll send you a copy." He grabbed a pen and jotted it down. He started his exam and stopped at a small scab that I had picked at on my right jaw. "Do you mind if I take a sample of this?" he asked. Hey, that's what I came for. He then told me that 75% of skin cancer is found from the neck up and 75% of that cancer is on the nose. Why? Exposure to the sun!! Duh! As he continued with my exam, we talked about a few of the points that were made in the editorial. It said that skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the US, with one million new cases each year. Last year melanoma claimed 8,700 lives. It also said that the FDA has established new guide lines for sun-protection products. They must indicate if they protect against A and B ultraviolet rays. It tells that we know tanning is bad for us, but we won't give it up. We admire the bronze bicep and the ruddy calf and we associate a tan with an active, outdoor lifestyle. In my case I probably was brainwashed by the Beach Boys songs. I so love the beach and that environment, but I do use sunscreen and an umbrella while I lounge, read and have a drink by the water. But, the sun's rays still get to me. "The Press" says that they care about their visitors and want them to return year after year, but to make sure you "Tan Responsibly." What else could they say? Well, my exam is over and the only thing he found this trip was the mark on my jaw. I believe he was amazed that was the extent of my problems after seeing my bronze color. He told me he would see me in 9 months and to make sure I wear my hat and stay out of the sun. I didn't make him any promises, except for telling him I would email him the article. Which I did! The staying out of the sun will be the hard part. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo of Dr. Brod with his smiling greeting.
it hurts or anything like that, but because I love the beach. And cancer and the beach just don't go together. I walked in his examination room and his nurse asked if I had any concerns. "My only concern is that he will be upset with me," I told her. "Just look at me. I'm tan all over. I just got back from the shore last week. I guess this was a bad time to schedule my appointment." She looked sympathetically at me, gave me my gown, told me the opening goes in the back, and walked out the door. She knew the trouble I was in. And ..... so did I. Ten minutes later in walks Dr. Brod, the "Close-talker." My daughter gave him that name years ago because he examines you with a magnifier on his head and is usually no more than 6" from you as he is talking to you. Dr. Brod is a great guy and I have so much respect for him. He is a leader in the field of skin cancer in the state of Pennsylvania and has a bill he is sponsoring in the PA House to outlaw tanning salons for anyone under the age of 18. He really cares about his job and carries a smile on his face all the time. And ....... I'm making it harder for him!! "Mr. LDub, looks like you've been out in the sun. You know that isn't good for you," he says, matter-of-factly. I replied, "I just got back from a week at Ocean City, NJ with my family." "I like Ocean City, but haven't been there for quite some time," he says. Then I told him about an editorial in "The Press of Atlantic City." I picked up a copy most days during vacation and one day the editorial appeared titled "Tan Responsibly." "Boy, is that an oxymoron," he said. "You should have brought me a copy of it. I would be interested in reading it." I told him, "Give my your email address and I'll send you a copy." He grabbed a pen and jotted it down. He started his exam and stopped at a small scab that I had picked at on my right jaw. "Do you mind if I take a sample of this?" he asked. Hey, that's what I came for. He then told me that 75% of skin cancer is found from the neck up and 75% of that cancer is on the nose. Why? Exposure to the sun!! Duh! As he continued with my exam, we talked about a few of the points that were made in the editorial. It said that skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the US, with one million new cases each year. Last year melanoma claimed 8,700 lives. It also said that the FDA has established new guide lines for sun-protection products. They must indicate if they protect against A and B ultraviolet rays. It tells that we know tanning is bad for us, but we won't give it up. We admire the bronze bicep and the ruddy calf and we associate a tan with an active, outdoor lifestyle. In my case I probably was brainwashed by the Beach Boys songs. I so love the beach and that environment, but I do use sunscreen and an umbrella while I lounge, read and have a drink by the water. But, the sun's rays still get to me. "The Press" says that they care about their visitors and want them to return year after year, but to make sure you "Tan Responsibly." What else could they say? Well, my exam is over and the only thing he found this trip was the mark on my jaw. I believe he was amazed that was the extent of my problems after seeing my bronze color. He told me he would see me in 9 months and to make sure I wear my hat and stay out of the sun. I didn't make him any promises, except for telling him I would email him the article. Which I did! The staying out of the sun will be the hard part. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo of Dr. Brod with his smiling greeting.
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