A 14 year olds story about Skin Cancer

Another article from 17 magazine.

I Never Bothered to Wear Sunscreen

It doesn't matter how fair or tan your skin naturally is, not practicing sun safety or using the tanning bed just one time will increase your chances of getting skin cancer. Laura learned this lesson after getting melanoma at the young age of 13!

“Growing up, I never thought about wearing sunscreen—my skin always tanned easily, so I figured it was no big deal. Last year, when I was 13, we were going on vacation to Hawaii, so I bought a tanning package to get ready for the trip. (Editor’s note: In Illinois, it is illegal to use a tanning bed under the age of 14, but no one asked for Laura’s I.D.) A few months later, I noticed that a mark had formed on my chest—I never had a mole there before. It turned out to be melanoma, and the doctors found a birthmark that had become cancerous, too. I had to have two surgeries, and each one required about 20 stitches. Thankfully they were able to get all of the cancerous cells out, but now I have to check my skin and my lymph nodes every month, because the cancer could come back. I know that I have to be careful in the sun—and take much better precautions for the rest of my life.”

—Laura, 14,