Tanning: friend or foe?
Bita Sonouni
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: News
Beu Health Education and McDonough District Hospital Outreach Services provided free sun damage screenings to Western Illinois University students in the University Union Concourse on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009.
Dr. Karkare, a staff physician at the Beu Health Center volunteered for the event to help answer any questions the students had.
"Many people believe that tanning beds are not as bad as they are portrayed on the news and that being tan is how a person should look, when in fact tanning beds cause permanent damage to the largest organ in the body, which is the skin, and can also cause damage to the eyes," Karkare said.
The free screenings are usually done in February or before spring break, not only to give students a reality check, but to also educate them to use preventive measures during spring break and even during the summertime. While these services are provided once a year on campus, the McDonough District Hospital Outreach Services provide this free service to the community and students at seven other times and locations throughout the year.
"You can not see sun damage in a standard photo, but in a UV photo, you can clearly see why skin cancer is called the 'silent killer,'" Karkare said.
Kelly Shiraki, a Certified Health Educator who graduated from Western Illinois University in 2001 and volunteered at the event said, "We offer these services on campus to students not only to make it easily accessible, but to provide a start for prevention, education and if necessary, action." She also mentioned that having a nice tan looks great, but even though it is not visible to the naked eye, it does make your skin age at a much more advanced rate.
Approximately 118 students showed up to undergo the sun damage screening. Karkare stated that screenings may not make a huge difference in one student's life, but if each of those 118 students uses one of the tips given to them, it makes some sort of difference. That one message makes the entire process worthwhile.
"Always take preventive care, empower yourself with knowledge, take advantage of these screenings and resources, and seek help," Karkare said.
If you did not have a chance to make it to the screening at the Union, the McDonough District Hospital is holding another free screening at the Cancer Expo held in the Fellheimer Auditorium at Macomb High School on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Dr. Karkare, a staff physician at the Beu Health Center volunteered for the event to help answer any questions the students had.
"Many people believe that tanning beds are not as bad as they are portrayed on the news and that being tan is how a person should look, when in fact tanning beds cause permanent damage to the largest organ in the body, which is the skin, and can also cause damage to the eyes," Karkare said.
The free screenings are usually done in February or before spring break, not only to give students a reality check, but to also educate them to use preventive measures during spring break and even during the summertime. While these services are provided once a year on campus, the McDonough District Hospital Outreach Services provide this free service to the community and students at seven other times and locations throughout the year.
"You can not see sun damage in a standard photo, but in a UV photo, you can clearly see why skin cancer is called the 'silent killer,'" Karkare said.
Kelly Shiraki, a Certified Health Educator who graduated from Western Illinois University in 2001 and volunteered at the event said, "We offer these services on campus to students not only to make it easily accessible, but to provide a start for prevention, education and if necessary, action." She also mentioned that having a nice tan looks great, but even though it is not visible to the naked eye, it does make your skin age at a much more advanced rate.
Approximately 118 students showed up to undergo the sun damage screening. Karkare stated that screenings may not make a huge difference in one student's life, but if each of those 118 students uses one of the tips given to them, it makes some sort of difference. That one message makes the entire process worthwhile.
"Always take preventive care, empower yourself with knowledge, take advantage of these screenings and resources, and seek help," Karkare said.
If you did not have a chance to make it to the screening at the Union, the McDonough District Hospital is holding another free screening at the Cancer Expo held in the Fellheimer Auditorium at Macomb High School on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
John
posted 2/06/09 @ 9:31 AM CST
I'd rather do my own research on this topic than believe this typical generic rubbish. A good place to start that I found was www.uvtalk.com. Check it out for some great info and info mainstream media will not publish. (Continued…)
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