You Could Be Next...How Will You Respond?

It is a new year! 2010 will be full of life and love and friendship.

But will 2010 bring CANCER to your life?  Statistically, it is very likely.

More than 1,000,000 skin cancers are diagnosed ANNUALLY in the U.S. alone!  That is more than the the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.

Basal cell carcinomas are the most common, and while rarely fatal, can be highly disfiguring.

Squamous cell carcinomas are the second most common, with more than 250,000 cases yearly and 2,500 deaths.

It is estimated that 40-50% of Americans living to at least 65 years old will be diagnosed with either one of these skin cancers at least once.

Approximately 68,720 melanomas will be diagnosed this year, with nearly 8,650 resulting in death.  While melanoma only accounts for 3% of all skin cancers, it is the cause of over 75% of skin cancer deaths.

One of which was my husband in 2008.

1 in 55 people will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime.

So here's the great news...melanoma is considered nearly 100% curable if found early.

So how about a New Year's resolution to make an appointment with a dermatologist, just to be in that 100%!  How about doing a monthly skin check along with your self-breast exams and/or testicular self-exams?

And what about all the anti-aging creams and brushing your teeth or getting a colonoscopy?  They are all so important, and I just hope that you can include skin checks in your routine to keep you healthy.

Someone, a lot of someones love you, and make this the year you stay on top of things.  Cancer can be devastating, and I pray that you might heed the warnings and take extra care of yourself this year.

Many blessings for a healthy and cancer-free 2010 and always,
Jenni