Look, we could throw a bunch of different Melanoma statistics at you;but more than likely you’d give the numbers only a cursory glance prior to simply forgetting them. Kind of like high school Algebra. However, we’re not looking to have you lose interest in this tab before you even finish reading the first paragraph. Besides, detailed specifics like those are why (Insert the preferred deity of your choice here, if applicable) created internet search engines.

The important thing to remember here is that unfortunately, Melanoma is both under-publicized and overwhelming. Though it doesn’t get the same press that other, more popular cancers du jour have received in recent years, you can rest assured that it could not possibly care less. It also cares nothing whatsoever about your race, gender, or age. Left undiagnosed and untreated, Melanoma can and will run roughshod through your body with the subtlety of a spiked wrecking ball.

If you’re thinking that that description is a little harsh, you’re right. Nevertheless, it’s wholly accurate and the point of this tab is to both get your attention regarding Melanoma, and then hold it long after you’ve surfed over to some other website. We’ll do it seriously and we’ll do it with humor; whatever it takes to get the importance of skin cancer prevention across to you.

That was the tough love; now for the good news. As damaging as Melanoma can be once it takes hold, it’s certainly one of the easier cancers to prevent. We’ve provided some simple Sun Safety Tips on another tab, so we won’t reiterate them here. What we will say here though is that the risk/reward on tanning is far more risk than reward.

Think about it like this; buying a lottery ticket is a simple act, and if you lose that bet you’ll most likely pay with a dollar. Tanning is also a simple act, and if you lose the bet with Melanoma, you may very well pay with your life.

If you can pay someone a pittance to wax your car for protection against the elements, you can absolutely pay another pittance for a lousy bottle of sunscreen to protect yourself.

Listen, the simple truth here is that we had two decent analogies and we couldn’t decide which one was better; so we used them both. Originally, we liked the lottery ticket one best because of the more memorable tag line. On the other hand, we rarely get to use ‘pittance’ twice in one paragraph. But we digress.

We’ve now done what we can. The rest is up to you.