Here's an essay by dermatologists on the risks on tanning booths:
In her sophomore year at college, Meghan noticed a black mole on her stomach that itched. She had it removed by a surgeon and did not think twice about it. When she went back to have her stitches removed, her doctor gave her the potentially deadly diagnosis: melanoma. "I was devastated," said Meghan. "I didnīt even fully understand what melanoma meant or how it could be treated." Her doctor discovered Meghanīs melanoma had spread; she required a three-hour surgery to remove eight lymph nodes from under her arms. She had more than 70 stitches in her body and a 5-inch scar on her stomach. "One of the worst things was having drainage tubes sewn into my scars for several days," recalls Meghan. While she has had more than 20 surgeries since then, she remains cancer-free today. "The year following my surgery I was so depressed and mad at myself," explains Meghan. "I couldnīt believe that my own lifestyle choices had given me cancer. I just kept thinking âI gave myself cancer.ī" Meghan has since taken that frustration and turned it into something positive. She volunteers to share her experience with high schools, local community organizations, and anyone else who will listen. Meghan hopes her brush with death will be a wake-up call for others, particularly young people. "I hope no one has to go through what I have, especially because itīs avoidable," she said.
