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Causes and Effects: Tanning and Skin Cancer

In: English and Literature

Submitted By andalitza
Words 2318
Pages 10
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx English 101
25 March 2011
Student/Teacher Memo

1. What was your purpose? What effect were you trying to achieve?
My purpose was to write about tanning as a cause of the skin cancer, and about skin cancer as a consequence of tanning.
2. What was interesting about the process you went through in writing this paper, and what did you learn from it?
It was very interesting to research about skin cancer, as I am particularly interested on the subject. I also did not know tanning or any ultraviolet radiation exposure can have such serious consequences.
3. What was the most difficult aspect about this paper, and what did you learn from the attempt?
It was difficult to give it a clear structure on cause/effect, although the subject clearly illustrates this structure.
4. What do you see as the strengths of the paper, and what would you try to do if you were to revise it some more?
The strength of the paper is the very reliable sources.
5. What’s not a part of your paper that you think might help a reader understand or appreciate it more? What didn’t you put in?
I did not further develop on skin cancer, how it presents and develops.
6. What kind of grammar or formatting feedback would you like from your instructor?
I would appreciate full feedback on both.
7. When using the APUS Online Library article databases, did you evaluate the credibility of the sources you chose?
Yes.
8. Are your memo and essay in correct MLA format?
Yes.
9. Did you save your file using your last name and the name of the assignment?
Yes.
10. Are you free from contractions? Are you in the correct person? Never ever use second person ("you," "your," "yourself," etc.) in formal writing.
Yes.
Causes and Effects
Tanning and Skin Cancer Some people are always in search for a perfect tan, claiming tan skin makes them look healthier. Some have become tan-addicted or referred to as “tanorexics”. However, the effects of tanning beds and natural sunlight on the skin can have serious consequences, as they contribute to the development of skin cancer. At first, a perfect tan may seem fun, but tanning is just another word for skin cell damage. Recent scientific research has concluded: There is no such thing as a safe tan. Exposure to sunlight is important in the synthesis of vitamin D, essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system. However, an overdose rate of ultraviolet radiation has damaging effects on human skin. It makes no difference if the source of ultraviolet is the sunlight or tanning beds. Ultraviolet radiation is a human carcinogen and has a cumulative and often irreversible effect. It speeds up the skin’s aging process, affects the immune system, contributes to the development of infectious disease, and can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma (Autier, 2009). Excessive ultraviolet radiation results in almost immediate occurring sunburn. Damage to the epidermis can occur in two hours of sun exposure, resulting in erythema – reddening of the skin (eMedicine, 2010). Sunburn, or solar erhythema, is an acute cutaneous inflammatory reaction to an extensive sun exposure. Solar erhythema is a superficial, or first-degree burn, it develops just after a few hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and some of its symptoms are pain, fever, chills, nausea, and eventually blistering (eMedicine, 2010). A more serious consequence of repetitive tanning is skin cancer. The most common and lethal type of cancer in the United States is skin cancer, with the number one cause being the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. However, there are other causes, such as high X-rays levels, contact with specific chemicals such as arsenic or hydrocarbons, or immunosuppression-impairment of the immune system. Heredity and environment also play a major role. The risk of skin cancer increases for people with fair skin (eMedicine, 2010). Skin cancer occurs when ultraviolet radiation generates transformation of the cells, resulting in growth and multiplication without control. The result of this multiplication is usually a mass also called a tumor. Tumors become cancerous when they invade the tissues in their vicinity – this is the malignant stage of the disease, also called melanoma, or travel to other organs by means of the bloodstream, and this is the metastatic stage of the disease (eMedicine, 2010). Despite the risks, many people continue to abuse their skin through tanning. As a consequence, 90 percent of skin cancer cases and 65 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2011). The best way to protect the body from ultraviolet rays is to stay out of the sun, especially during hot, summer days: reduce sun exposure, stay in shade as much as possible, cover the body, avoid tanning beds, check the skin regularly for moles, and use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. Sunscreen blocks the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, and it is therefore essential for reinforcing the skin’s protection. Recent studies indicate sunscreens with one to six percent oxybenzone do not present any risks of skin irritation. The mineral-based sunscreens with ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide seem to also be safe and effective (Mayo Clinic, 2010). However, a Food and Drug Administration report from 2007 shows there is no proof sunblock prevents skin cancer, recommending appropriate clothing as the best solution of avoiding exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The same Food and Drug Administration report suggests there is, however, sufficient evidence sunblock might increase the risks of melanoma (Levy, 2007).

Works Cited
Autier, Philippe. “Sunscreen abuse for intentional sun exposure.” British Journal of Dermatology. 3(161), Aug. 2009: Ebscohost. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. eMedicine Health, Skin cancer causes, 2010: ProQuest, Web. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. eMedicine Health, Sunburn, 2010: ProQuest. Web. 22 Mar. 2011.
Mayo Clinic, Best sunscreen: Understand sunscreen options, 2010: ProQuest. Web. 22 Mar. 2011.
Sandra Levy, "FDA's proposed rule for OTC sunscreens includes UVA ratings." Drug Topics, 17 Sep. 2007: ProQuest. Web. 22 Mar. 2011.
Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts, 2011. Web. 26Mar. 2011.
[pic]Turnitin Originality Report
Causes and Effects: Tanning and Skin Cancer by Andreea Mosila
From Assignment 4 (Open Class) • Processed on 03-27-11 2:32 PM EDT • ID: 178291927 • Word Count: 1011 Similarity Index
28%
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1% match (Internet from 9/9/09) http://www.silverlakesun.net/benefits.html paper text:
Andreea Mosila Professor Feldman English 101 25 March 2011 6Student/Teacher Memo 1. What was your purpose? What effect were you trying to achieve? My purpose was to write about tanning as a cause of the skin cancer, and about skin cancer as a consequence of tanning. 42. What was interesting about the process you went through in writing this paper, and what did you learn from it? It was very interesting to research about skin cancer, as I am particularly interested on the subject. I also did not know tanning or any ultraviolet radiation exposure can have such serious consequences. 53. What was the most difficult aspect about this paper, and what did you learn from the attempt? It was difficult to give it a clear structure on cause/effect, although the subject clearly illustrates this structure. 24. What do you see as the strengths of the paper, and what would you try to do if you were to revise it some more? The strength of the paper is the very reliable 3sources. 5. What's not a part of your paper that you think might help a reader understand or appreciate it more? What didn't you put in? I did not further develop on skin cancer, how it presents and develops. 76. What kind of grammar or formatting feedback would you like from your instructor? I would appreciate full feedback on both. 17. When using the APUS Online Library article databases, did you evaluate the credibility of the sources you chose? Yes. 8. Are your memo and essay in correct MLA format? Yes. 9. Did you save your file using your last name and the name of the assignment? Yes. 10. Are you free from contractions? Are you in the correct person? Never ever use second person ("you,""your,""yourself,"etc.) in formal writing. Yes. Causes and Effects Tanning and Skin Cancer Some people are always in search for a perfect tan, claiming tan skin makes them look healthier. Some have become tan-addicted or referred to as "tanorexics". However, the effects of 10tanning beds and natural sunlight on the skin can have serious consequences, as they 10contribute to the development of skin cancer. At first, a perfect tan may seem fun, but tanning is just another word for skin cell damage. Recent scientific research has concluded: There is no such thing as a safe tan. Exposure to sunlight is important in the synthesis of 12vitamin D, essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system. However, an overdose rate of ultraviolet radiation has damaging effects on human skin. It makes no difference if the source of ultraviolet is the sunlight or tanning beds. Ultraviolet radiation is a human carcinogen, and has a cumulative and often irreversible effect. It speeds up the skin's aging process, affects the immune system, contributes to the development of infectious disease, and can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma (Autier, 2009). Excessive ultraviolet radiation results in almost immediate occurring sunburn. Damage to the epidermis can occur in two hours of sun exposure, resulting in erythema – reddening of the skin (eMedicine, 2010). Sunburn, or solar erhythema, is an acute cutaneous inflammatory reaction to an extensive sun exposure. Solar erhythema is a superficial, or first-degree burn, it develops just after a few hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and some of its symptoms are pain, fever, chills, nausea, and eventually blistering (eMedicine, 2010). A more serious consequence of repetitive tanning 9is skin cancer. The most common and lethal type of cancer in the United States is skin cancer, with the number one cause being the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. However, there are other causes, such as high X-rays levels, contact with specific chemicals such as arsenic or hydrocarbons, or immunosuppression- impairment of the immune system. Heredity and environment also play a major role. The risk of skin cancer increases for people with fair skin (eMedicine, 2010). Skin cancer occurs when ultraviolet radiation generates transformation of the cells, resulting in growth and multiplication without control. The result of this multiplication is usually a mass, also called a tumor. Tumors become cancerous when they invade the tissues in their vicinity – this is the malignant stage of the disease, also called melanoma, or travel to other organs by means of the bloodstream, and this is the metastatic stage of the disease (eMedicine, 2010). Despite the risks, many people continue to abuse their skin through tanning. As a consequence, 90 percent of skin cancer 8cases and 65 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2011). 11The best way to protect the body from ultraviolet rays is11to stay out of the sun, especially during hot, summer days: reduce sun exposure, stay in shade as much as possible, cover the body, avoid tanning beds, check the skin regularly for moles, and use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. Sunscreen blocks the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, and it is therefore essential in reinforcing the skin's protection. Recent studies indicate sunscreens with one to six percent oxybenzone do not presents any risks of skin irritation. The mineral-based sunscreens with ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide seem to also be safe and effective (Mayo Clinic, 2010). However, a Food and Drug Administration report from 2007 shows there is no proof sunblock prevents skin cancer, recommending appropriate clothing as the best solution of avoiding exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The same Food and Drug Administration report suggests there is, however, sufficient evidence sunblock might increase the risks of melanoma (Levy, 2007). Works Cited Autier, Philippe. "Sunscreen abuse for intentional sun exposure." British Journal of Dermatology. 3(161), Aug. 2009: Ebscohost. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. eMedicine Health, Skin cancer causes, 2010: ProQuest, Web. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. eMedicine Health, Sunburn, 2010: ProQuest. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. Mayo Clinic, Best sunscreen: Understand sunscreen options, 2010: ProQuest. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. Sandra Levy, "FDA's proposed rule for OTC sunscreens includes UVA ratings." Drug Topics, 17 Sep. 2007: ProQuest. Web. 22 Mar. 2011. Skin Cancer Foundation, Skin Cancer Facts, 2011. Web. 26Mar. 2011. Mosila 1 Mosila 2 Mosila 3 Mosila 4 Mosila 5 Mosila 6

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