oops... .one more thing..

Completely non food, drink or workout related.. just a point to ponder and then act upon.  If you have a mole, or a dark spot or a funny thing on your skin, anywhere,  go have it checked out please... 

I'm not fair skinned..  I don't tan poorly,  I don't burn easily.. but yet.. I have to go have a mole that was removed two weeks ago,  re- removed.. translate that to "surgically make a bigger hole in your back"  because it came back cancerous... 

Soooooo... get checked out please :) 

Who gets it?

Anyone can get melanoma, but fair-skinned sun-sensitive people are at a higher risk. Since utraviolet radiation from the sun is a major culprit, people who tan poorly, or burn easily are at the greatest risk.

In addition to excessive sun exposure throughout life, people with many moles are at an increased risk to develop melanoma. The average person has around 30 moles, and most are without significance; however, people with more than 50 moles are at a greater risk. In addition to the number of moles, some people have moles that are unusual and irregular looking. These moles (nevi) are known as dysplasticor atypical moles. People with atypical moles are at increased risk of developing melanoma. Melanoma also runs in families. If a relative such as a parent, aunt or uncle had melanoma, other blood relatives are at an increased risk for melanoma. The following factors help to identify those at risk for melanoma:

• Fair skin
• A history of sunburns
• More than 50 moles
• Atypical moles
• Close relative who have had melanoma

Anyone can develop melanoma, but people with one or more of the risk factors are more likely to do so. Periodic skin examinations by a dermatologist can truly be life saving.