Lets talk about the "C" word Cancer! " Sun Worshipers needs to Know

Cancer surely the most feared “C” word known to all. Anyone who has watched a close friend or family member go through Radiation Treatments and Chemo Therapy will give rise to personal nightmares. When our love one finely succumbs to cancer and dies, we are relieved and call it an act of mercy.

With that said we still see society throwing caution to the wind, or should I say the sun; let us begin with UV rays. Ironically, back in the renaissance age, milky white skin was considered a sign of royalty, and tan people where peasants’ who had to work in the sun. Today, tans are look at as luxurious living entertained by the wealthy, compared to the white skin folks having to work indoors all day. Simply, UV rays are damaging to the skin; it starts premature aging, and destroys skin cells immune system, crates skin cancer, and scaring.

Have I said enough about the sun worshipers? Not nearly, here are some freighting statistics from the state I reside in. Florida, “the sunshine state,” also known as the place of retirement has big issues here dealing with a skin cancer called Melanoma. Florida is 135% higher than national average, diagnosing 4.920 residents, and killing 626 of those diagnosed. In addition, the death rate of those over 50 years old has doubled since 1975. (EPA.Gov 2010). Which leads me to aging and the need for good lifestyle practices the older we become.

Aging of course is an uncontrolled variable, simply we all get old, but our chances of getting cancer increases. Perhaps the reasons for those over 50 years old in Florida, the death rate of skin cancer have doubled. As we grow older our immune system breaks down, it is harder for us to fight off virus and bacterial infections. This progression can compromise your immune system further and allows free radicals to form into cancer cells. How alarming, so what can we do, what variables can we control?

Realize if you will, Obesity and Age = Cancer! There are so many forms of cancer that develop because of obesity it would take another commentary to encompass its scope. Just say it is important to stay at your ideal weight if not start working! Stay away from fats, and Trans fats; peanut butter is high in both. Look to natural herbs that boost the immune system, teas that create better blood flow and herbs that enhance both hydration and oxidization. Eat fruits and power vegetables like cucumbers that hold much of what the body needs. Promote exercise, even if it just walking, or even better swimming. Many YMCAs’ have swimming programs for the seniors. Oh and stay out of the sun, or wear long pants and sleeve shirts with a large brim hat and protect your eyes with UV protected glasses.

In closing it is all about knowledge, I tend to think that many retirees that come to Florida do not know how harmful the sun is to them, or we would not have so many cases. Many I believe harm themselves without knowing. I have a new Slogan “Get Your Knowledge On!, Then Get Your Knowledge Out!”

Reference:

EPA.gov, 2010, Skin Cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the United Sates, Retrieved on November, 9, 2010, from http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/fl_facts_print.pdf