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The Banner February 24,2000 News mCA Health Update By Susan McCord staff Writer Melanoma, a potentially deadly form of sldn cancer that is very common among young people, should be a concern among college stu dents during spring break, according to a representative of health services. “Brief, intense exposure to the sun increases a person’s risk of developing mela noma,” said Rick Pyeritz, director of student health ser- Melanoma often develops on the skin from a pre-exist- ing mole, bur it may also arise in normal skin and in freckles, blemishes, birth marks and other pigmented When the melanoma is small and thin, it can be eas ily removed. However, Ifit is not detected and removed, the melanoma will invade the body, becoming one of the most malignant and incur able of all cancers, according, to a health services press re lease. Melanoma is more com mon among lightly pig mented people, but it strikes all skin tones, according to a skin cancer Web site. Broad-brimmed hats, sun glasses and a.thick coat of sunscreen with a sun protec tion factor of no less than 15 are vital during exposure to the sun to protect against melanoma, accorcjing to Pyeritz. Sunscreen, however, may give a person a false sense of security since “people who use sunscreen tend to stay out in the sun longer,” said Pyeritz. It is best to minimize expo sure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to Pyeritz. Melanoma is the most com mon cancer in the 25 to 29 age group, and occurrences of melanoma are increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer in western countries, according to the release. Yet, the Center fcr Disease Control found that most 18 to 24 year-olds had no knowledge of melanoma or its dangers, according to the release. Early detection is the key to surviving melanoma. Young people are at greater risk because they often do not regularly see a doctor or someone who would exam ine their skin, according to Pyeritz. “Many times they occur on areas of the body that you really can not see, so you can’t see some of the subtle changes in moles,” said “Unless you have someone who can take a look at your back, or,the under part of your thigh, you’re not going to spot it,” said Pyeritz. Melanoma is easy to detect at an early stage when it is thin and easily cured by simple, painless removal in a doctor’s office, according to Pyeritz. All it takes is a 10-minute monthly skin check, accord ing to Pyeritz. Check, or ask someone to help check, every surface of the skin, including the scalp, between fingers and toes, under nails, the soles of feet, and genital skin, according to Pyeritz. People should pay atten tion to the appearance of moles. If a mole is changing or atypical, it should be examined by a doctor, ac cording to the site. An atypical mole may have an irregular shape, instead of round or oval shape. Its bor der may be uneven or fuz2y. The mole’s color may be two or more shades of brown or pink instead of a uniform brown, according to the site. The surface texture of an atypical mole might be pebbled or bumpy instead of smooth, according to the Its diameter may be one- quarter inch or more. In stead of an even dome shape, an atypical mole may have flat edges with a “fried egg” center, according to the site. Students should ask a doc tor about having moles re moved if they seem atypical or are in areas hidden from everyday sight, according to Pyertiz. Tlie most common place for melanoma on males is the back. On females, it is thelegs, according to Pyertiz. The issue of melanoma was brought to Chancellor James Mullen’s attention when he received a letter from the par ents of a young man who had died from a malignant melanoma. Mullen asked UNCA health services to inform stu- ^ dents about the risks. England- continued from page 1 out some major world themes and give a series of lectures,” said Miller. “We go on field trips where they are doing research on that particular issue, such as wet lands, or to study problems associated with tropical rainforests at Kew Gardens,” said Miller. In the last week, teachers get a chance to express their thoughts about the curricu lum being taught in England, according to Miller. Masters teachers formerly met at Oxford to go through a program to learn about the British education system and then evaluate it, according to Miller. Now they meet at Bath University. Before, English universities were attended only by presti gious men. England is now trying to bring more women and less prestigious students into their student body, ac cording to Miller. A maximum of 26 teachers from the United States can participate in this program. Right now, there are no plans for programs like this for other majors. Miller also has grams abroad for students. His tropical ecology class went Puerto Rico over winter break, “The trip to Puerto Rico was a great experience because were able to observe in the wild all the things we learned throughout the semester, said Jenna Kesgen, a senior environmental science major. He also offers a program to Ecuador for students in ad vanced environmental science classes and intermediate Span ish students. Vbluir SI d’ continued from page 1 Survey— door program office have were also in the expansion safety. more funds to use for staff- budget for the student devel- Gravely said that there ^ou- ing and operation. Funds opment office and public ally is not a problem with Correction: A factual error was made in the calculation of Student fee increases in the Feb. 17 issue of The Banner. The proposed increases are as follows: $100 the first year, another $100 the second year, and an additional $75 the third year. The total would be $275 over the next three years. Lunasa, an Ireland traditional band, will be performing Feb. 26, at the Diana Wortham Theatre. ‘Two Faces of Asheville,” a heritage trail highlighting the contributions of African-Americans to Asheville, will be unveiled on Feb. 29 at the YMI cultural center. Spring Break Snow Bash 4-Nlght Lodging/ Lift Ticket Package March 5-8 or March 12-15 Tan your cheeks without getting sand in your shorts. •Huge Parties •Live Entertainment Each Night •Crazy On-Slope Games •Snow Bucks and Morel Receive Snow Bucks for participating in events. Use your Snow Bucks to bid on awesome prizes like skis, snowboards, trips and more during the Snow Buck Auction. from $169"* per person *AII packages based on four students lodging at the Inn @ Snowshoe and based on availability. Taxes not included. Rate quoted based on student lift ticket rate. Valid college ID required for student discounts. Snowshoe’s Spring Break Snow Bash Is brought to you by: Btxhveiser KXMG OP BBKHS- Call 304-572-5252 to make reservations or book it on-line at www.snowshoemtn.com 1^ SNOWSHOE Voted one of the lop 50 Theatre UNCA presents the "longest running musical in the world!" Directed By Scott E. Walters February 23-27 Wednesday - Saturday at 8:00p.m. Sunday at 2:00p.m. at the Carol Belk Theatre A fun and touching musical tale of two lovers who must learn about the pain of life before they can appreciate the wonder of love A great cultural event opportunity! $5 students; $7 senior citzens, faculty, staff; $9 general public Call 232-2291 for tickets and information.
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Feb. 24, 2000, edition 1
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