A photo on Page One of Thursday's edition of The State News depicted a situation that many probably view as undesirable. In the image, Louise Day was undergoing cryosurgery, in which pre-cancer cells on her nose were frozen with liquid nitrogen. The expression on the 79-year-old Charlotte resident's face -combined with the needle-like medical instrument being used - is enough to convey that the procedure was not a pleasant one.
It wasn't really Day's fault she found herself in the predicament. Years of working on a farm under the sun contributed to the skin cancer she had removed about a month ago. Given the unpleasant appearance of her predicament, though, it's hard to believe that roughly 30 million people in North America engage in activities that might eventually place them in cryosurgery.
We're speaking, of course, of indoor tanning. The American Cancer Society has reported that exposure to tanning booths can increase the risk of skin cancer, yet the tanning industry sees $5 billion in yearly revenue.
Here in Michigan, there's no denying the winters are bleak. It's cold, the sun disappears by 5 p.m. and there's no opportunity to naturally get that golden tone so many seek. But even though tanning salons offer an easy solution to this pseudo-conundrum, the same effect can be achieved with spray-on techniques, at less of a risk.
Perhaps it is valid to question why so many seek out a darker hue in the first place. TV and glamour magazines tell us that it is sexy to have a tan, but that doesn't mean we must follow. At what point does our desire to be attractive stop us from undergoing increasingly dangerous procedures (liposuction comes to mind).
Admittedly, arguing against tanning is in the same vein as arguing against smoking. Both are ultimately pointless activities that can lead to health problems, and it is up to the individual to decide if the risks outweigh the rewards. It is also worth noting that indoor tanning can have advantages. If you are going to an exceedingly sunny climate, some time in the booth might be beneficial so you don't get severe sunburn.
Still, for those who spend their winters in a tanning bed and their summers sunbathing, taking into consideration ailments they might encounter in the future is certainly necessary.
