Like Rebecca Arnold, the student quoted in an April 27 article “Students risk health to basque in sun,” I was warned by my doctors from an early age to take extra care in the sun because of my fair skin. After a life time of trying my best to follow their advice, I underwent surgery to remove an early stage melanoma last fall at age 24. I was fortunate that my disease was caught early, and I received excellent follow up care, but it was still one of the most nerve wracking experiences of my life. I will never feel completely safe in the sun again.
I hope that students will consider the experiences of people who have struggled with skin cancer the next time they think about tanning. Melanoma can happen to anyone, but you exacerbate the risk by spending time in the sun without protection. It may be difficult to take a long-term perspective on this at age 19, but I urge you to think about the wealth of experiences that still await you and take care of your bodies for the long haul. Beautiful people come in all shades, and there is no shame in taking responsibility for your health.
Leah Masselink
Trinity ’02
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