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7 symptoms of skin cancer you NEVER can ignore
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Are you ignoring these 7 vital cancer symptoms? - photo by Hannah Rose
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it is estimated 76,380 new cases of severe melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year- of those diagnoses an estimated 10,130 people will die from skin cancer.

Skin cancer is easily identified as an unusual mole, unhealed sore, blemish or mark that has any noticeable flesh change with size, shape or color. Several people have moles and most are nearly harmless. But it is imperative individuals constantly check their marks for any drastic or noticeable changes that could signify melanoma or skin cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, here is what you can do to watch out for melanoma:

1. Follow the ABCDE rule to identify any possible cancerous moles

Asymmetry: Look for only a portion of your mole or birthmark to be transformed or affected by a change of color or texture.

Border: Look for the outer edges of the mark to be protruding, irregular, jutting out or disheveled.

Color: Look for the mark to contain multiple colors such as: dark brown, black, pink, white, blue and red.

Diameter: Look to see if the mark is larger than approximately a inch in size (a pencil eraser).

Evolving: Look to see if the mark is constantly changing in shape, color and size.

2. New spot that is changing in size, shape or color

If a new growth appears and is constantly changing in size and color alert your physician.

3. Look for the ugly duckling mole (one that doesnt look like the other)

It is completely normal for an individual to have birthmarks and moles. Generally, moles on a persons body are fairly similar, but if you notice one mole that is not like the others, alert your doctor.

4. A cut or sore that does not heal properly

5. Redness and severe swelling around the border of the mole (puffiness)

6. Moles surface changes- scales, puss infested and bloody

7. A change in mole sensation- itchiness, pain, irritation and tenderness

If any of these signs or symptoms occurs, alert your doctor immediately.

To help guard you and your family from the painful and damaging effects of skin cancer, follow these 9 simple tips:

1. Seek the shade

Avoid the harmful UV rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is beating down the hardest.

2. Do not feel the burn

Burns are not good for skin. Some harmful side effects of severe burns include: headaches, nausea, blistering, pain and vomiting. These side effects are more severe and common within children.

3. Stay away from tanning beds

The year-round golden tan may sound tempting but fight the urge and stay away. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, tanning beds emit such high levels of UV radiation the machines had to be moved into the highest cancer risk category, "carcinogenic to humans." Do not pay for skin cancer.

4. Cover up

Cover your face with long-brimmed hats, sunglasses and use a shawl to cover up your shoulders.

5. Use UVA/UVB sunscreen

Apply a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF or higher every day to ensure protection from the suns harshest rays.

6. Apply and reapply sunscreen

Reapply every couple of hours to ensure youre covered throughout the day. If swimming or sweating excessively, reapply as needed to cover and protect your skin.

7. Keep newborns and young children out of the sun

Infants and babies should be kept in the shade and lathered in sunscreen at all times to protect their vulnerable and gentle skin.

8. Constantly examine your skin and existing moles

Keep an eye out for changing conditions or new growths.

9. Visit a skin doctor annually

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the estimated 5-year survival rate for individuals who catch their melanoma early in the U.S. is approximately 98 percent, and an individual's risk of developing melanoma is reduced by 50 percent when they apply SPF 15 daily.

Taking precautionary steps today will save you and your family from the harmful effects of melanoma in the future.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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