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Alina O'Donnell

//Book Review// This comprehensive “handbook” covers every aspect of melanoma, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, mental aspects of the diagnosis, and the future of public health initiatives. Author Catherine Poole, who battled melanoma herself, tells her own story in conjunction with the stories of two other patients. She refers to DuPont Guerry, a medical oncologist and her physician, as well as other experts, to provide the reader with accurate well-researched information and practical advice that’s applicable to the patient, as well as their family and caregiver. The book emphasizes detection, prevention and treatment by including sections such as questions to ask the doctor, illustrated descriptions of the melanoma staging process, and an explanation of how to read a pathology report. The book isn’t entirely objective information, however. The stories she tells remind the reader that skin cancer exceeds facts and data, and reinforces the emotional battle that it incites. One particular section covers coping skills and support resources. []

//News Program Clip// [] In this brief program, CBS news channel provides viewers with an update on the skyrocketing use of tanning beds and growth of skin cancer. Frequent tanners may want to watch this video, as it thoroughly informs viewers about the severity of the habit by bombarding them with shocking statistics. The program is highly credible, with several references to a recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and an interview with Dr. Brutz Katz from the Mount Sinai Medical Center. It also addresses the opposing view by displaying the tanning industry’s defense to this report in a ridiculous light.



//Blog Review// [] Student Celina Wu blogs about the prevalence of tanning on the social networking site called HiLite Online. She writes about one of her close friends who has tanned in the past but does not do so anymore. The blog is written from a neutral perspective; it acknowledges the confidence and endorphin rush that comes with achieving the perfect tan, but also the severe consequences. Rather than overwhelm the reader with scary facts, she offers a comprehensible explanation of melanoma and even delves into the difference between natural tanning and fake tanning. This blog is more light-hearted than most, and suggests alternative ways to get a healthy glow.

//News Article// [] This article comments on the FDA’s struggle to increase warnings in tanning salons about the dangers that sunlamps pose. The article references officials from the World Health Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institution, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Indoor Tanning Association, and the actions that these officials believe should be taken. Besides discussing the precautions that need to be taken to raise awareness about skin cancer in youth, the article provides the reader with a general explanation of how melanoma functions, with shocking statistics. The information isn’t just factual; it opens with one girl’s frightening story of her experience with tanning beds and melanoma. This article is concisely written without an overabundance of medical terms, so it’s easily understood by the average person.