skin cancer san marcos

Skin Cancer : 

Skin Cancer By Ty Samford, Sarah Woods, Tim Valderrama, and Sean Kehoe

San Marcos, TX : 

San Marcos, TX San Marcos is located in the hill country of Texas where temperatures are what some would consider to be uncomfortably hot. During summer months, including June, July or August, record highs can reach 111°F; it is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 92°F in the months of September or October, similar to what we are experiencing this year so far.

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As Texans we have become accustomed to scorching heats and high humidity, but one thing we do not always take into consideration is that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. We should be more aware of how powerful the sun really is, and the Ultraviolet (UV) rays that it emits.

General Skin Cancer Facts : 

General Skin Cancer Facts Through the course of their lifetime one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. The most common form of skin cancer is Basal cell carcinoma  (BCC). Which if allowed to grow can be extremely disfiguring. The second most common form of skin cancer is Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). 90% of visible changes to peoples skin are caused by the sun. First exposure to tanning beds in youth increases melanoma risk by 75 percent. (1)

Melanoma : 

Melanoma Although melanoma is not the most common form of skin cancer, it is the most dangerous of them. Even though it only accounts for approximately three percent of skin cancer cases it accounts for 75 percent of deaths related to skin cancer. If melanoma is caught early it is almost always curable but if it is not found soon enough it spreads rapidly over the body resulting in death. (1)

Why? : 

The reason that students should be concerned with the health risks of over exposure to the sun is simply because of where we live. Texas State University is a college surrounded by rivers and lakes that students enjoy floating and hanging out around; our exposure to the sun is high due to the set up of our campus and the activities that it provides. It is important that students do what is necessary to prevent their chances of ever developing any form of skin cancer. Why?

Preventing Skin Cancer : 

Preventing Skin Cancer The most common and known way to prevent skin cancer is by using sunscreen. Staying in the shade as much as possible limits exposure to the sun. Avoiding exposure to the sun during midday (10a.m.-4p.m.) keeps you away from when the suns rays are strongest. Wearing protective clothing also helps against skin cancer. Eyes are also susceptible to skin cancer so wearing sunglasses is also helpful. Lastly limiting children's exposure to the sun is very good. Cases of skin cancer and melanoma in people have been linked back to bad sunburns they received as a child. (3)

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So in short, it is important that we do everything possible to lower our chances of getting skin cancer. San Marcos is a beautiful city with many attractions and as long as we take precautions against the suns rays, living here should continue to be great.

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Slideshow done by Ty Samford Sarah Woods Tim Valderrama Sean Kehoe Pictures taken by Ty Samford Music by The Trammps- Disco Inferno