SUNKISSED OR CANCER RIDDLED?

SUN CAN BE A BLESSING AND A CURSE, SO BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!

️I’ve always loved having colour on my skin, worshiping the sun like my life depend on it. And in an ironic way, it kind of did and does. Maybe my fascination to the sun and mocha coloured skin came from the fact that I am coming from a country where sunny days are a as rare as snow in the Sahara and we always desire the things we don’t have. Or maybe out of pure vanity, or possibly because of a bit of them both.

I’ve grown up in Finland but lived years of my life in sun-drenched countries like Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Turkey, Hawaii and latest addition to the list of sunlovers dreams, Australia. Skin cancer was the last thing of my mind when I spent my youth carelessly laying under the heat of the sun, lathered with coconut oil, trying to achieve the “perfect” tan. Why on earth would I worry because cancer happens to “ others” not to me. Right? Or so most of us seem to think, myself included. Living in this delusional bubble was easy before coming to the country of little ozone layer, where the sun burns 🔥your skin, not just make you sweaty and uncomfortable.

I kept putting of having my moles checked and preferred to live in the fear filled land of the “ unknown”. Reality set in when I realised 2/5 of my clients had malignant moles removed or suspicious moles under observation. I kept finding areas that looked concerning while treating people and out of worry begging them to go and have them checked. “Make yourself a priority”, I said, blind to the fact that I did not do that myself. This year I’ve named HEAL THE HEALER, I decided it’s time to start looking after myself like I look after people I am blessed to treat, care for, clients and friends alike. I decided to become PROACTIVE and not REACTIVE about my own health. Today was the day and I was scared. Things turned out to be quite ok, or maybe not. 2 little ones are causing minor anxiety for the next 3 months and am hoping it will all be fine.

A side note and another lesson learned, I always thought we should keep an eye on moles that change colour, shape or start looking a bit dodgy. But this is not necessarily the case. Those 2 found on me were totally innocent looking smooth, tiny moles I never even gave a second though to. So don't let things fester, or trust your own judgement in important things like this. Life and death things. Go and have an opinion from people who know better. Make yourself a priority.

Regardless of the findings or because of them, I finally feel I am more in control now and not a mere victim anymore, not letting things simply happen to me. Feeling quite relieved.

After all, knowledge is power, so don’t just close your eyes and hope for the best when it comes to your health. BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE!!

Keep loving the sun but don’t take silly risks, it’s not worth it. Make informed and safe choices, not ones based on pure vanity.