2009 Don’t Fry Day-May 22

Celebrate the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention‘s first annual “Don’t Fry Day”, May 22, 2009.

We all like to be out and about in the sun but there are some sensible precautions we should take to ensure our outings are healthy.

1.  Cover up

2.  Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

3.  Wear a hat

4.  Wear sunglasses that block UV rays

5.  Limit direct sun exposure during midday

6.  Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Since much of this exposure comes from the sun, and with more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States, using all of these tips together will give you the best protection.  

The American Cancer Society is co-sponsor of the 2009  ”Don’t Fry Day”, May, 22.

Child Has Breast Cancer

A 10 year old California chld is a rare victim of breast cancer.  Hannah Powell-Auslam is a fifth grader and is being treated for breast cancer.

In late March, Hannah complained of itching so her mother took her into the bathroom to check for problems. She felt the growth.

Hannah had surgery to remove part of the mass in early April. Not all the tumor was removed because it had advanced into breast tissue that would not grow normally in adulthood if it was damaged. The removed portion was sent for tests. 

Carrie Auslam, Hannah’s mother said, ” They told me it was not breast cancer because breast cancer does not happen to children”. The tests came back in mid-April with a Stage 11A  Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, an adult form of breast cancer.  

When her parents broke the news to Hannah, she said, “I didn’t really know what cancer is. I just started crying and couldn’t stop.”

Hannah will probably have a mastectomy of her left breast. She will also likely face chemotherapy but her prognosis is good. Her cancer, characterized by smaller tumors found in the breast and minimal spread of the disease to the rest of the body. is very treatable.

Carrie Auslam said she hopes Hannah’s story will help kids communicate with parents about changes to their bodies that might indicate a problem. “Hannah knew about that lump but she thought it was part of growing up”, Auslam said.

Hannah had to leave the softball season early but her team, the Silver and Black Attack, are wearing pink hair ties and decals with her name and “No.11″ as a tribute to her for the rest of the season. Another team will wear pink uniforms for the rest of the season in her honor.

The 10 year old child says she wants to make her cancer a positive experience and is writing a book. “God chose me because He knows I’m a strong girl and I can get through it.

I pray you do Hannah.

Boy Found Dead Buried in Sandbox-Albuquerque

A boy was found dead buried in a sandbox Friday afternoon by a woman who took her children to the city park in Albuquerque, NM.

According to the Associated Press, forensic experts searched the park late into the night for evidence of who buried the body of the little boy. Police spokesman, John Walsh said forensic experts with the state’s Office of the Medical Investigator told police the boy had not been dead longer than 48 hours.

Albuquerque Police chief, Ray Schultz, told a news conference the boy may be from the neighborhood surrounding Alvarado Park. Schultz said, “This is one of those cases where I think every minute counts”.

The boy was wearing a red shirt with the image of a four-wheel drive truck on the front and black nylon pants with red stripes. Part of the dead boy’s little black shoe was sticking out of the sand when the woman found him. He’s believed to be between 3 and 5 years old.