I. Introduction Attention Getter: Can everyone look outside for me? It looks gloomy (or sunny depending on the day) outside doesn’t it? If we walked outside right now we would all be at risk for skin cancer and even those of you sitting by the windows are at risk as we speak. Whether it is gloomy or you are inside, you think you are protected from the sun but you aren’t. Preview: This morning I will educate you about the issue of skin cancer along with some of the causes of it and then I will inform you of a solution to prevent skin cancer. II. Problem A.
To help you understand the seriousness of skin cancer let me share with you how common it really is. 1. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation in 2013, Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3. 5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually. B. For a better idea of what skin cancer really is and where it comes from let me explain it in depth. 1. As explained by the Mayo Clinic in 2013; much of the damage to DNA in skin cells results from the ultra violet radiation or UV found in sunlight and in commercial tanning lamps and tanning beds. 2.
A lot of people can’t prevent cancer, such as leukemia, cancer of the blood, brain tumors, etc but we must know the risks of going into a tanning bed so that we know the effects it can have on us later on. C. I don’t know if any of you can tell, but I am clearly not a fan of tanning. Whether it is inside or outside, it’s just not healthy. 1. The National Cancer Institute in 2011 stated that people who have had at least one severe, blistering sunburn are at increased risk of skin cancer. Although people who burn easily are more likely to have had sunburns as a child, sunburns during adulthood also increase the risk of skin cancer.
2. Most, if not all, of the students in here have experienced sunburn sometime in their life due to prolonged exposure to the sun which greatly increases your chances at getting skin cancer in the future. Transition: Now that you have a better understanding of the common condition known as skin cancer, let’s discuss what we can do to prevent it in the future. III. Solution A. There is something that is very accessible and inexpensive that everyone in here should do to help prevent skin cancer. Wear Sunscreen.
Not just when it is sunny or when you happen to remember to put it on but all the time. Before you leave the house every morning and ideally you should reapply throughout the day. 1. Recommended by the Cancer Organization in 2013, anyone over the age of six months old should use a sunscreen daily. Even those who work inside are exposed to ultraviolet radiation for briefs periods throughout the day, especially if they work near windows, which generally filter out UVB(ultra violet burning) but not 2.
Most people make the mistake and think that if it isn’t sunny out and if they are going to be inside or just driving around that they don’t need to wear sunscreen, however that isn’t the case. UVA or Ultra Violet Aging rays can penetrate through your car window and both burning and aging rays can penetrate through the clouds. B. Let me explain more about what sunscreen does. 1. WebMD in 2013 described sunscreens as products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun’s ultra violet radiation from reaching the skin.
Two types of ultra violet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin, age it prematurely, and increase your risk of skin cancer. 2. Sun Screen acts as a shield against the suns harmful rays so they cannot penetrate the skin as quickly or as deep. C. When buying sunscreen there are two things to look out for; SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and broad spectrum label. 1. Stated by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013, Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor number that rates their effectiveness in blocking UV rays.
Higher numbers indicate more protection. You should use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15. 2. Also, you want to get a sunscreen that has a label on it that says broad spectrum. Meaning that it protects against both harmful rays; burning and aging rays. Rebuttal/Objections: Just because we are young and think its better if you look super tan; its not worth what you will experience later in life. If you think all the sun exposure and tanning indoors-wont catch up to you because you are young, think again.
It’s most likely to affect us between the ages of 18 and 25. Its better to think ahead instead. IV. Visualization Just picture this; every summer you go to the beach and lay out for an hour or two once a week and you come back the next semester with a beautiful tan, everyone compliments you because you look really nice and you feel good about yourself but picture 20 or even 10 years down the road, you start seeing dark spots popping up on your face or all over your body and your skin is so dry it looks like an alligator.
Well, those dark spots may just start to grow and get bigger and they might start looking like a mole. You’ll go to the doctor and he’ll tell you that you have skin cancer. Best case scenario they will have to remove the mole on your nose and you’ll be fine other than the fact that you have a huge scar on your face now. My point is, take the extra 5minutes it takes to put on sunscreen and spend the extra 15 dollars to go buy it. It could mean you can look good and be healthier much longer. V.
Conclusion: Action Steps: This is all I ask; (Show a bottle of Sunscreen) I ask that you go to your nearest drug store, pick out a sunscreen for 15 dollars or less, make sure it has at least SPF 15 and that it says broad spectrum and spend a little extra time every morning to put it on and carry it with you throughout the day so you can reapply. It could have the potential to save your life. Memorable Close: If it were as simple as wearing sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer, why wouldn’t we do it?
Although most people want instant gratification and instant results, sometimes we need to look ahead at what we are doing to our body’s today. It beats sitting in a doctor’s office and having them tell you they need to remove your skin cancer. I guarantee that everyone who sits in that position looks back and thinks of something more they wish they had done. Works Cited “National Cancer Institute. ” What You Need To Know About? Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers -. N. p. , 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. . “Prevention.
” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 July 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. . “Skin Cancer Foundation. ” Skin Cancer Facts. N. p. , 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. . “Skin Cancer / Melanoma Center: Signs, Treatments, Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Tests. ” WebMD. WebMD, n. d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. . Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Definition. ” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 06 June 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. . “Sunscreen: Are You Really Covered? ” WebMD. WebMD, n. d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .