Let’s face it. It’s summer. And that means one thing: fun in the sun. And that should mean lots and lots of sunscreen. But it doesn’t always. Especially for adults. So while the kids get a sunburn or two (and you drop them in a tub filled with lukewarm water and Apple Cider Vinegar and then lob on the Agave or Aloe), you may find yourself getting more than you bargained for.
First things first: Put that sunscreen on the kids. And then put it on you. And don’t forget your past transgressions…years of sunburns build up against you and can cause skin cancer. But don’t forget…if you’re a skier or you take your kids sledding in the winter, you’re still exposing yourself to major UVA and UVB rays.
What does this have to do with foster care and the kids you care for?
When this blogger was little she used to get sunburned ALL THE TIME, even WITH sunscreen on. And my Dad was exactly the same. I figured it was just the way things were for us redheads. But let me tell you something…the day my Dad found out he had skin cancer was a terrible day for our family. And while he’s pulled through and made every attempt to keep himself healthy he still has regular checks and gets newly formed skin cancers burned off every 3-4 months.
Not everyone is so lucky. Skin cancer has the potential to kill. And while you’re doing the best you can to provide for the children in your care, do you really want to have to worry about how many skin cancers the doctor will burn off “this time”??? And do you want to have to explain that to the kids in your care? Skin cancer is a 100% controllable and treatable ailment that doesn’t have to get worse–if you get checked, wear sunscreen and do whatever you can to keep yourself healthy (including removal), if you do happen to have it.
So why not get checked?
Even if you don’t have insurance, there are ways to get checked for skin cancer for little cost or for FREE.
In fact, there’s a FREE skin cancer screening clinic coming up on May 22, 2010 at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. While anyone can go, it is targeted for those who don’t already have insurance–the Huntsman Institute is trying to make screenings more affordable so everyone can get checked.
HIGH RISK GROUPS FOR SKIN CANCER include:
- People who work or play outdoors. For example, construction workers, mail carriers, lifeguards, golfers, skiers, hikers, cyclists and many more…
- Tanning bed users
- Men in their fifties and sixties
- Fair-skinned people who freckle or burn easily
- People with skin “spots” that have recently appeared, grown or changed
So, if you love yourself and your family and the kids in your care, and you fit into one of the above categories, go ahead and slap on some extra sunscreen before you go outside this weekend and don’t forget to call the Huntsman Cancer Institute to get more information on this FREE skin cancer screening.
It’s just another way to show the kids in your care that you love them–that’s right, you have to take care of yourself before you can truly take care of anyone else. So get on it.
