Money & Melanoma
I'm sure you've heard that money can't buy happiness, but according to a recent study, it can buy you melanoma. If you're a young, white, upper-middle class female you're six times more likely to get skin cancer than young, white women in lower-income populations. We've known for years that lighter-skinned people are more likely to develop melanoma (darker skin isn't immune, though), but why does socioeconomic status play a part? Well, according to this study, and the findings that economic status played a larger role than ambient UV exposure in increased melanoma rates, researchers are pointing to behavioral causes rather than environmental. People with more money potentially have more time for vacationing and more money to spend on tanning salons. When I look at this study, it seems clear that money=more indoor tanning=higher rates of melanoma. So, what can we take from all this? How can we protect ourselves and our kids? It's not rocket science it's common sense - stop using tanning beds! I can't say it enough. Use your money to buy some good ol' broad spectrum sunscreen and a self-tanner or bronzer and call it a day!