Times-Advocate, 1988-07-06, Page 6Page 6 Times -Advocate, July_6, 1,988
Health Topics.
Skin cancer
by Sheryl Meagan
Health Education Consultant,
Iluron County health Unit
• The dramatic rise in the incidence -of malignant melanoma, *par-
ticularly r cadly form of skin canccr is claiming an increasing num-
.Of young-Canadrtn lives.'.'Sunworshippers" and people who
work outside should take heed - too niuch sun -can be dangerous! Too
many of us link _sunlight to a good tan, rather than to cancer.
Wtiat is NIel;rnoma?
Melanoma is a serious form of skin canccr that arises from the
cells of• the body thatcontain melanin, the, pigment that gives tut -
mail' skin its colour: Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body.in-
cluding the eyes and mouth. Thcsc.cclls with melanin may be acti-
vated by cancer -promoting agents (such as sunlight) to become
abnormal. people with fair complexions and those who vyork outside
in the stat, such as farmers arc at greater risk for developing melano-
ma -skin cancer, The mortality rate from this lethal skin cancer has
dotiblcd since thc mid 70's. •
- Possible causes of melanoma
The major culprit is• the sun's ultraviolet Tight rays. Sunlight is
enemy if t to human -skin and the harmful effects do not vanish when
the tan fades - each year's tan adds a little more damage. Short, in-
tense exposures to.the sun's rays, like yearly holidays in the sunny
south;- rather than long term, low doses of sun are more likely to
promote melanoma.. •
A tendency. to freckle -when young,,as well as severe or frequent
sunburns during childhood may greatly increase your risk•of develop-
ing.niclanoma. The message to parents is loud and clear: protect
your children from :sunburn!
Malignant• melanoma primarily afflicts those with red or light
hair, a pale •sensitive complexion, light eye colour, and those who
freckle easily during childhood or tan poorly.
Lamps used in tanning salons can produce high potency ultra-
violet rays and don't prorect against sunburn. Frequent visits to tan-
ning salons can incrcasc your risk.of skin.canccr --the UV rays frons
the lamps arc the sante as the sun's ultraviolet rays! • -
• The good news about melanoma
11 found early enough, melanoma can be cured! Like all cancers,
melanoma involves irregular, .abnormal, -uncoordinated growth and
multiplication of cells that, if left unchecked spread throughout the
body. Recognizing thc.signs of melanoma can be as simple as
knowing your ABCDs.
- A) ASYMMETRY: in contrast to normal, rounded moles, melan-
omas mar be irregular, with tails and jagged edges.
B) BORDER IRREGULARITY: melanomas tend to have scal-
loped notched and indistinct edges. •
C) COLOUR VARIATJONS: uneven colour is a distinct feature
of melanoma with subtle colour -changes - becoming lighter or dark-
er, acquiring black flecks or various shades of grey or pink. • - •
D) DIAMETER: most melanomas.cxcecd six millimetres across
(bigger than the size of a pencil eraser) while ordinary,benign moles -
arc generally smaller.
Any mole that•secrns peculiar or different to other moles or that
suddenly changes - becomes larger, darker or multi -coloured - should
be checked by your doctdr. The most common sites for melanoma in
both men and women are thc back and legs. Melanoma.can occur at
any age, -but generally appears in young to mid -adulthood.
Practice a•five-minute skin self-examination monthly.. Regular
self-examination (especially. for those at high risk) is the best way to
become familiar with theskin's many moles and spots and to notice
changes. With the help.of a friend or spouse examine hard-to-sce are-
as (c.g. back, scalp; buttocks)..Rcmembcr that ordinary moles differ
from cancerous moles and report any. changes.. •
Seven ways to protect yourself from.- the sun
1. Try to avoid outdoor activities, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00
•p.m. when*the sun's rays arc strongest. Be especially careful during
the summer months.
7. Remember that burning ultraviolet rays are also prescnt•on.
overcast days. They arc invisibleand are not screened by a cloud cov-
er.• Sand; snow, and concrete can rcllcct significant amounts of ultra-
violet light onto the skin. - • • -
3: -Some. drugs such as thiazides (for high blood pressure) or sulfas
and cosmetics can incrcasc your susceptibility to sunburn. Avoid us-
ing mineral, olive, or baby oil on your skin since oils magnify and
incrcasc the sun's buming effect.
4. Wear a hat and long sleeves when possible
-__Usc_a_sunscrecn. with a SPI- rccommenaca for your skin type.
For maximum effectiveness, apply it.at least one-hourbefore expo:-
Sure.
xpo=sure. Ask your pharmacist for assistance in choosing the appropriate
SPF number:
• 6. Always reapply sunscreens after swimming or perspiring.
7. Individuals at high risk -for skin canccr (e.g. outdoor workers,
persons who have already had skin canccr) should use sunscreens
whenever they are exposed to the sun.
ENJOY AND HAVE FUN AT
.OPEN
NEW BEER GARDEN
Sum mernightfest
This Weekend, July 8 & 9
Live Entertainment with
The Black Forest Band
' ,.
Dance and Buffet Dinner
FRIDAY and SATURDAY
CaII for Information or Reservations
Telephone 236.7707
Hwy. #21, 1/4 mile north of St. Joseph
Vacation as viewedby a parent
Surhmer will be here and gone
before we know -it, so plcagc.let us.
try -and remember when the darlings.
get older to revesrba1izeall.their an-
tics. .
The sand in. the fawn mower gas
..tank was the big one a few years
ago.'. They graduated to starting •
equipment, now- put to=good-}Ise—
with the push lawn mower that.
By JoAnn Dew•an
Well parents; vacation time is
here, the big question is, are we
ready! Have you got our -list of
recommended Items yet?
The list was prepared to prepare,,
us parents, Wale summer. It reads;
one set of earplugs, one whistle for
refereeing the matches Whether it's
for a.glass of water or a bike race:
The standard riot gear comes in
handy for opening .your precious.
child's closet door or water balloon
fights. -
No more early morning discus-
sions, now they start around ten, to
continue all day. We mustn't forget
to install the controlled locking
system on the fridge andcupboard
doors. This is really a must, if you -
want anything left to cat two days
after grocery shopping:
Learning to accept the fact that
housework is an impossible task
when the little dears arc home is a
tough one. Shortly after vacation
begins you realize the upstairs is
completed but by the time you -get
to the downstairs the hurricane has
already struck.
Prior to vacation anything of val-
ue should be hung on a sky- hook,
it's only Murphy's Law that if it's
worth a lot of moncy_or sentimen-
tal value it's the -first to go.
Then the circles start,- off to
swimming lessons or soccer or
baseball. It amazes me how soon
they soon get bored. Can we have. -
YFC barbecue
ZURICI-! - South Huron Youth
for Christ held its Chicken Barbe-
cue on Saturday, June 25 at Ken
and Della Sascho's park west of Zu-
rich. Approximately 100 from
Godcrich, Clinton, Exeter, Crediton
and other neighbouring towns at-
tended the annual event. After sup-
per the Godcrich Youth Trio com-
prised of Lori Concybearc, Angie
Hutchins and Wayne MacVicar, ac
coinpanicd by Gladys Hutchins on
the electric piano, sang several
numbers. Also .Lloyd Shivrattan
from London spoke to the group.
The barbecue formally concluded
the activities of South Huron
Youth For Christ for the summer.
1 fowcvcr, thc quiz tcam will be re-
turning to Circle IC' Ranch in De -
levans New York on Saturday, July
-23 to contend for the tophy and to
hopefully bring it back to Canada
again this year. Approximately 12
teams arc expected to compete for
the title. -
The first rally for Youth For
Christ in the fall will be on Satur-
day, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. at the
Bruccficld Public School.
FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE -
Mrs. Russell Wilson, Centralia, and
Mr, and Mrs. Frank Regier, Exeter,
wish•to announce the forthcoming
marriage of their children, Barbara
Elizabeth and Norman t erard. The
wedding will take place at Our Lady
of Mount Carmel Church, Mount
Carmel, July 9, 1988 at 3:00 -p.m.
Open reception to follow in Exeter.
Pentecostal WM
EXETER - The regular monthly
me,etipg of the Nome-Minisu ics
of the Pentecostal Church was held
at the church with 11 members
present. -
Thc meeting was opencd with
prayer ,offered by Mrs. Estrella
Finkbeincr. Mrs Carol Roger pre-
sided at the piano.
Thc•roll call was answered with
scripture' verses containing- the
names of biblical plants. The min-
utes of the last meeting were read
by Mrs. Ada Tricbncr. The treasur-
er's report was also read by Mrs.
Ada Tricbner in the absence of the
treasurer and secretay
The monthly bulletin from head
office was read by Mrs. Ruth
McLaren. The missionary reading
was given by Miss Marian
McLean.
1 he special was a reading entitled
"When the Bandits Cama to
Church," was read by Mrs. Shirley
Prouty. Mrs. Phyllis Rcnniak of
Monkton ,gave the heart-searching
message of the afternoon. Prayer
time followed with each member
participating. -
A delicious supper followed after
which an enjoyable program. fol-
lowed lea by Mr. and Mrs. Milford
Prouty. Choruses were- sung, Mr:
Grant Tricbner played a couple of
beautiful violin selections accompa-
nied by Ada on the piano.
Bruce Cann played a selection on
his horn and the pastor spoke brief-
ly:
friends over, the can wc's start, the
list is endless. You,, pw settle in to
a little of routine. Hubby's off for
holidays, fun and the can you'S
start. -
8y midsummer, mom's hiding- in
�tle ctoset or under the bed with a
Witte of Tylenol, prying that the
grandparents take the children for a
few days holiday.
I've often seen the twinkle in
mom's eye, ah, she's getting hers
now! The look of revenge, but not
really, grandparents arc fantastic.'.
Some of us, who were lucky
enough to have them, now know
that's why our parents arc still fair-
ly sane. Grandparents seem to have
MOP patience than us parents
whether it's age or most likely be-
cause they realize they can always
send them home.
MR. AND MRS. -
RALPH MATHONIA
Wedding vows were exchanged on -
April 30, 1988 between Peggy Char-
maine, daughter of Gord and
Jeanne Hay and Ralph George, son
of George and Maria Mathonia, at
St. Boniface Church, Zurich, Ont.
with Rey. P.F. Mooney officiating.
Attending the bride were maid of
honour Kim Crete, sister ofthe
bride, and bridesmaids Carmen Ma-
thonia, sister of the gropm, Connie
Keenan, cousin of.the bride,. Jody
Hay, sister of the bride, and Deb
Brunzlow and Bonnie Groot, friends
of the bride. Junior bridesmaids
were Alicha Crete, Dana Rowan,
:Melanie Crete and Sara Ducharme
with Cynthia Crete as the flowergirl,
all. nieces of the bride. Best man
was Jeff Forrester, friend of the .
groom. Ushers were Bob Hay,
brother of the bride, Ray Mathonia
and Ken Mathonia, brothers of the
groom, Rob Miller and Pat Groot,
friends of. the groom. Ringbearer
was.Michael•Groot. The couple are
residing in Hensall, Ont. Peggy and
Ralph would like to thank everyone
for making their day one they will al-
ways remember.
•
tends to burn off a little frustration.
I try to get thenuto pull weeds only
to find the flower- beds stripped
bare.
So' folks to finalize try td step
back, look at what's taking place in
whatever situation and hold your
own as well; as try 10 keep your
sanity till September.
1lave a super summer.
•
FOOD FOR YARD SALE - Beth Hartman checks in on Don and Julia
O'Rourke as they prepare hot dogs. and hamburgers at Saturday's Our
Lady of Mount Carmel Church yard sale. • .
Semi -Annual -
Sale
20 — 5�ooff
(all summer jewellery 1/2 price)
All remaining summer merchandise
The sale you can't afford to miss
0 Fashions for the
flacOicadiote
'd
...5frea4/474iltaiied
fuller figure
383 Main St.,
Exeter, Ont.
Sarnia, Kitchener
& London •
Celebrate Our
AND
EN I
in our bigger and better location
That's right..we've moved just
up the street and now we're
able to bring to you two levels
'of extraordinary values in our
new "easy to shop" store!
Join us...
'CELEBRATION CONTINUES THROUGH TO
JULY 16, 1988
*FREE `FEATHER, TICK'
BALLOON -ON -A -STICK
TO THE FIRST 500
CUSTOMERS!
* LOTS OF DOOR PRIZES .
...NOT TO MENTION THE
SAVINGS YOU'LL' FIND!
359 MAIN STREET _ '
EXETER 235-2957
•