The month of May is Brain Tumor and Skin Cancer awareness month. It is an interesting coincidence that these two diseases share the same month, because the brain and the skin are both extremely important organs. The skin is the largest organ of the human body. It covers the body and helps protect us from pathogens and injury, regulates body temperature, produces vitamin D, gives the brain information about the environment through touch, and eliminates waste. The brain is the motherboard. It controls everything that the body does both involuntarily and voluntarily. When parts of the brain aren’t functioning normally, a person’s quality of life can greatly diminish.
Unfortunately, it is a lot easier to take preventative measures for protecting the skin and preventing skin cancer than brain tumors. Currently, there aren’t very many scientifically proven methods for preventing brain tumors. However, a healthy diet and lifestyle can’t hurt!
Here are five interesting facts about brain tumors*:
1) There are 120 different types of brain tumors.
2) 612,000 people in the US are living with central nervous system or primary brain tumors.
3) 66, 290 cases of primary brain tumors are expected to be diagnosed this year.
4) Brain tumors are the #2 leading cause of cancer related death among children and young adults.
5) The causes of brain tumors is relatively unknown.
*Information provided by: Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure’s “Brain Tumor Facts” page.
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brain cancer,
brain tumors,
cancer awareness,
skin cancer
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. I think that this cancer awareness month is appropriately placed on the calendar, because May marks the beginning of nicer weather, sunnier days, and more time spent outdoors with less clothing on. As beautiful and warm as the sun is, it unfortunately can burn us, damage and alter the appearance of our skin, and cause skin cancer when we embrace its inviting rays.
Here are 5 tips on how to protect your skin:
1) Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or higher every day. There are luckily a lot of eco-friendly sunscreens now on the market today that smell delicious and rub in easily. Alba’s Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen facial mineral broad spectrum SPF 20 is a hypoallergenic, paraben free, and fragrance free formula that will not clog your pores. I am also a big fan of Alba’s Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen Pure Lavender Broad Spectrum SPF 45. It smells great, rubs in fast, and doesn’t make you feel greasy.
2) Apply sunscreen a half hour before going outside. The Skin Cancer Foundation reccommends applying 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) over your entire body.
3) Avoid tanning in both the great outdoors and tanning booths. If you still feel the desire to look bronzed and beautiful, try getting a spray tan! There are plenty of places that now offer a safe and organic formula.
4) Wear a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses to stay sheltered from the sun (and look super cool in the process).
5) Make sure to examine your skin and note any changes that occur over a period of time. Please read the Skin Cancer Foundation’s If you Spot it You Can Stop it article for more information and useful tips.
To learn more about Skin Cancer and preventative care, go to the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website.
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alba,
cancer awareness,
skin cancer,
skin cancer foundation
