Skin Cancer is Scary Shit.

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On the final day of class I asked my students what they were most looking forward to doing this summer. Many of my female students said, “getting a tan.” My reaction? “OMGOSH YOU BETTER WEAR SUNBLOCK!! Skin cancer is scary shit!”

Non-athletes aren’t the only people who want to get that perfect tan during the summer months. Athletes also covet sun kissed skin. A tan can signify health and can make people more confident about their appearance. Athletes add another benefit to the mix. It is a badge of pride. In my early college years, the shorts tan that I build over the long summer, which I could finally display while rockin’ my buns during cross country season, was proof that I put in the work. I was out there running, every day, in the hot sun. I earned every bit of that shorts/sports bra tan!

It wasn’t until my junior year that I realized the danger of the sun. I’m not sure what changed my mind, but it scared the hell out of me. I realized that it might make me look healthy and glowing now, but later it will give me wrinkled, leather-looking skin. Further, and most alarming, is that unprotected sun exposure is highly associated with cancer. This list of negatives was not appealing. So, I found some sunblock and have been wearing it every day since.

As I told my students, skin cancer is scary shit. According to the Melanoma Foundation, melanoma is the most common cancer for adults aged 25-29. Every 61 minutes one American dies from the disease. This type of cancer is rapidly effecting women ages 15-29 (more than men) and is usually found in the torso. This location is less than surprising to me. Women tend to tan outdoors or inside while wearing a swimsuit, exposing their midsection. Athletes, especially runners, are also exposing this area and may not know the dangers of unprotected and unclothed training practices. 

At the end of April, I received an email from USATF, written by Deena Kastor, about this very problem. In the letter, she announced the USATF partnership with Outrun The Sun, which promotes skin cancer safety in athletes and coaches. Kastor, a skin cancer survivor, urged us to protect ourselves from the sun, especially during the summer months. She suggests using hats, sunblock, and clothing with build in sun protection as means of prevention. 

The message could not come at a better time. Athletes of all sports are ready to hit the hot sun to train and compete. Skin cancer doesn’t matter whether you win or lose your game/race. It also does not seem like a real possibility until it is too late. The good news is that it IS preventable. Slapping on some SPF 30-minutes before you hit the pavement and reapplying if you’ll be outdoors for hours, wearing that runner hat that makes you look hard core, and making sure the clothing you are wearing is doing its job are very simple steps to preventing skin damage. The added bonus: sunblock won’t totally take away the tan lines. So, be safe and continue to rock that tan-line-badge-of-honor!

 For more tips on staying skin cancer free, visit the Melanoma Foundation. 

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There is 1 comment on this post. Join the discussion!

womentalksports says:

Great post Steph. Thanks for the reminder.

Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 2:29pm EDT

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