Sun-worshipper not concerned about her future

Tammy Bradely and her family have been very pleased with the weather they’ve been enjoying since arriving in town last Saturday.
En route to Toronto from their home in Indian Head, Sask., the Bradelys having been spending their days out on the beach at Pither’s Point here.
“I love the summer,” the 17-year-old confessed. “When it is hot out, I don’t want to do anything but lay in the sun.”
Like many teens her age, Bradely is not concerned with the long-term effects her exposure to the sun may have.
“It doesn’t really concern me,” she admitted. “I mean, I know there is a lot of talk about skin cancer, but I figure I am young now and I want to enjoy myself.”
Although a little sun exposure can be good for you, Health Canada has been vigilant in its efforts to inform Canadians, like Bradely, about the health risks associated with over-exposure to the sun.
In Canada, skin cancer has become the most common cause of cancer, with about 69,500 Canadians developing it in 1999 alone.
“I am not worried about skin cancer,” said Bradely. “I don’t ever let myself get burned. I just get a bit of a tan and that is it.”
While many people still are under the misconception that a tan is healthy, Health Canada warns a tan is really the first sign you have damaged your skin.
In fact, the number of cases of malignant melanoma in Canada has doubled since 1980. But statistics like that do nothing to waver Bradely’s dedication to the sun–and her need for the perfect tan.
“I guess it is just hard to look into the future and say there is a chance I could get cancer when I am older,” she admitted. “I think I am just like everyone else I know who spends there summer outside in the sun.
“When it’s nice out, you want to be outside, so it is sort of hard to avoid getting some sort of tan.”
In order to ensure you stay healthy this summer, Health Canada has advised Canadian’s to apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside, and to reapply it after extended periods of swimming or sweating.
For more information on skin cancer, you can visit the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society or call them at 274-3953.