Skin happens to be the largest organ of our body. The skin covers the internal organs, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and protects them from injury. If people are not careful to protect it, the consequences can be deadly.

Skin cancer is the most common of all the cancers. The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are also called nonmelanoma (a tumor that is not a melanoma) skin cancer.

Skin cancer is a disease that affects about one million people each year. What teens do not realize is that skin cancer is also the most preventable type of cancer.

Hopewell English teacher, Joanne Anzaldua, was diagnosed in August with two different types of skin cancer: Squamous and Basal cell nonmelanoma. It was Non-malignant. Her cancer was not that serious; but if untreated, the consequences could severe. She had to get surgery twice and after that, she had to wear ointment. The ointment took a while to heal but it went well.  

“Sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen!” Anzaldua said.

Lexi Dickinson is one of the many luckiest teenagers. She fought against Melanoma for two years, which is one of the deadliest types of cancer. Melanoma is exposure to the ultra-violet rays of the sun. UV rays damages our cells’ DNA, thus the development of Melanoma. It really does not look like anything except a mole.

Dickinson said, “Wear sunscreen during the summer, every moment possible. If you want to get a tan, get a spray tan; it’s better for you.”