Summer fun is in full swing, so there isn’t a better time to learn more about the most common of all types of cancer: skin cancer. Every year, skin cancer is diagnosed more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and pancreas … combined.

According to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, skin cancers are divided into two groups: nonmelanomas and melanomas. Most skin cancers are classified as nonmelanomas, usually occurring in basal cells and squamous cells (located in the epidermis or the base of the outer layer of skin). These skin cancers develop on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ear, neck, lips, and backs of hands, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma begins in the melanocytes (the cells that produce the skin’s pigment known as melanin and found in the dermis, or the inner layer of skin). It is usually found on men’s trunk and on women’s arms and legs. Melanoma is far more dangerous than other skin cancers because it can spread to other parts of the body.

For both nonmelanoma and melanoma types of cancer a cure is highly likely if detected early and treated properly. Treatments are dependent upon the stage of the skin cancer at diagnosis but can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy, and participating in clinical trials.

Some easy ways to help prevent skin cancer include: wearing sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, using lip balm with sunscreen, wearing a hat, limiting sun exposure during midday, and visiting a doctor if you see any changes on your skin.

To learn more about skin cancer visit:

American Cancer Society:   www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute:  www.cancer.gov

This is a sweet, hopeful, and encouraging card appropriate for many occasions in life.

Buy this card and others at www.wdcardz.com.

Written by Amy Weaver

The first Discovering Grace Honoree is the person who inspired the program—Sherese Adamson.

Sherese’s contagious smile and happy disposition could light up any room. She lived her life with arms wide open, always ready to selflessly share her heart with her family and friends. After learning that her cervical cancer had returned and that there was nothing more the doctors could do to fight it, Sherese focused on those she loved by doing things like having Christmas in July for her entire family. She showered them with wonderfully thoughtful and generous gifts, as she had all her life.

Sherese also believed life was an adventure, and she wanted to experience as much as possible. When I visited Sherese in February, she had gone and done everything on her list of things to do, except one: skydiving! When I asked if she could still skydive in light of her illness, she said there wasn’t a medical reason why she couldn’t. It was time to start planning!

A few weeks later on February 25th, Sherese went skydiving. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure took place at Skydive New Mexico (which is a group of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet!) and began with a class that thoroughly prepared us (Sherese, two of her dear friends, Trish and Peggy, and me) for our dives. When it was time to jump, Sherese went first and I road along in the plane for moral support. The ride up took a while, but it allowed Sherese to go from being nervous and scared to having a peaceful readiness about what was soon going to happen. Before she jumped, she reached back, grabbed my hand and smiled. Then before I knew it, she was gone.

Sherese said skydiving was the most exciting thing she had ever done. She passed away on May 26th, and sharing that skydiving adventure with her, her friends, and her family will forever be one of the most amazing experiences of my life.