"It's okay to be different"

We live in a world where many battle with two thoughts and images of self- 1. it's okay to be different and 2. the idealistic images that certainly are not reality for everyone. These two concepts seem to pull on a invisible tug of war rope back and forth each and every day in many peoples minds. Each and every day we are told "you are beautiful the way you are", "it's okay to be different" yet we look at how people are portrayed to us through the media, movies, magazines, etc. So how do we settle this ongoing debate? Self confidence!!!! Make your own choices, learn from your mistakes, work hard to be the person you want to be, don't judge others- you are not in their shoes, and be the best person you can be each and every day. If you live each day as a good person who works hard to better themself and others - you are living well as the person you are. And remember, "It's okay to be different". It would be an awful world to live in if we weren't all "different".

The facts about tanning

To put it simply- Skin cancer kills! As college students, you may not be worried about it but in reality, what you do today effects you in the future. So the trip to the tanning booth or outside with no skin protection on yesterday in reality can cause you long term health problems and even death. Read on for some facts from the American Cancer Society

MYTH: I'll go to the tanning booths because its safer than sitting and tanning in the sun"?

FACT: Lights used in tanning beds and sun lamps give off mainly ultraviolet-A (UVA) radiation, according to the study. UVA was classified as a probable human cancer-causing agent by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) in 1992, according to the Swedish study.

MYTH: A base tan helps prevent skin cancer

FACT: The lights just act as a radiation multiplier, further increasing their skin cancer risk

MYTH: Using a tanning bed doesn't increase my chances of cancer

FACT: People 35 or younger who used the beds regularly had a melanoma risk eight-fold higher than people who never used tanning beds.

MYTH: Skin cancer doesn't kill

FACT: 8,110 deaths per year from skin cancer

What are the signs and symptoms of skin cancer? Skin cancer can be found early, and both doctors and patients play important roles in finding skin cancer. If you have any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor.

* any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
* scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
* the spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
* a change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain

RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT:

American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_What_You_Need_To_Know_About_Skin_Cancer.asp?sitearea=&level=

Skin Cancer Foundation
http://www.skincancer.org/

MayoClinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190