Protect Yourself Against Skin Cancer
By Efren Martinez
Summer is here, and it’s going to be hot! And this Fitview, I want to share a personal experience to help bring awareness to others regarding outdoor fitness and the sun. Let me start by saying that the photo here looks harmless, but you don’t see a very bright and silent danger upon me: the sun. We all need a healthy dose of sunlight shine; we thrive in it. However, we must be aware of the danger of the sun, ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer. Although melanoma is treatable, if caught in time, it can also be deadly.
When I head outdoors for fitness, I always take precautions to protect myself from the sun and those pesky mosquitoes. I train quite a bit outside with cycling, running, and swimming. So when I developed a dark blemish on top of my head, I was surprised. I always wear a visor to protect my face, but I forgot to cover the top of my head. since I have her up there, I was protected. I was wrong. My wife noticed the dark spot on my head eight months ago while cutting my hair. I didn’t think much of it until I started to grow the bulge out like growth or pimple. It wasn’t a pimple! Still, I didn’t pay much attention since I couldn’t see it. Out of sight, out of mind.
It wasn’t until the spring that it became very noticeable. I shampooed my hair, and it started to bleed. at this point, I decided to have it checked out by my doctor. Could it be cancer? The biopsy of the blemish was nothing but a growth caused by the sun and not cancerous. Friends, I was concerned and should’ve had it checked out sooner. Whether you train outside or spend time outside in the sun, remember to protect yourself. It’s estimated that one and five people will develop skin cancer this year. This summer, layer yourself and your family up with sunscreen and wear a hat not just a visor. Train outside before 10 AM and after 4 PM. That way, you can avoid the times when the sun’s rays are the most harmful. Happy summer!
