Today’s issue of The Wall Street Journal explores the risks and benefits of both sun-lovers and shade-seekers.  On the plus side, the sun’s UV rays stimulate endorphins that can boost your mood and reduce pain.  Unfortunately, exposure to UV rays also causes up to 95% of melanoma diagnoses.

With summer approaching, it’s important to know how to prevent and detect melanoma, the most serious of skin cancers.  Risk factors include:

• A history of blistering sunburns
• Light hair and eyes
• A large number of freckles and/or moles
• Family history of melanoma

 You can decrease your risk by:

•  Avoiding tanning beds
• Wearing sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher
• Seeking shade during the sun’s peak hours of 10am-4pm
• Covering your body when exposed to the sun’s rays

You can still enjoy outdoor activities in the sunshine, just remember to take precautions and enjoy the sun in moderation.

Two new CancerCare fact sheets about melanoma, made possible through an educational grant from Teb’s Troops, will be available soon.  Find Teb’s Troops on Facebook to learn more about its Fourth Annual March on Melanoma 5K race, to be held July 25  in Chicago. 

CancerCare’s melanoma resources include The Melanoma Helpline. Launched in partnership with The Melanoma Research Foundation, the helpline is staffed by professional oncology social workers who provide free telephone counseling and information about coping with melanoma. Call 877-MRF-6460 (877-673-6460).

Read The Wall Street Journal article here.

CancerCare offers counseling, support groups, community programs, publications and financial assistance all free of charge to anyone affected by melanoma.

Miss Illinois 2009 Erin O’Connor (pictured above, left, with CancerCare Director of Communications Jeanie M. Barnett) came out to support the “troops” for Teb’s Troops’ third annual 5K fundraiser on July 26 at Soldier Field in Chicago. 

Teb’s Troops is a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for melanoma and supporting people affected by the disease. CancerCare is a Teb’s Troops beneficiary; its generous contribution helps us to continue providing education and counseling to people facing melanoma.

Ms. O’Connor spoke movingly to the 200+ runners about losing her own mother to melanoma, and about her dedication to raising awareness and research funds for a cure to this often aggressive form of skin cancer. She will carry her message of prevention and early testing across the state and to Las Vegas in January 2010, where she will compete for the Miss America title. Best of luck to you, Erin!

Find out more about Teb’s Troops at www.tebstroops.org.