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4 | NEWS
Friday, April 22, 2005
Despite health risks students desire bronzed bodies KELLY MCKEE STAFF WRITER KMN732@CABRINI.EDU With the bronzed look currently en vogue and skimpy clothing shunning the wooly wraps of winter, the pressure is on for teens to be tan. It is well known that the teenage years are when we are most impressionable and concerned to conform. Realizing this, the World Health Organization supported by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADDA) is taking on the tanning industry for their services to minors. Studies show that over 2 million teenagers in the United States currently use indoor tanning devices. These organizations find this number extremely worrying when placed beside the rising number of cases of skin cancer in this nation. The United States Department of Health and Human Services lists ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial light sources such as tanning beds and sun lamps as a known carcinogen. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A radiation, both of which are associated with the development of skin cancer and premature aging. Over the last 10 years, skin cancer has become the most common form of cancer, with more than one million new cases a year. Melanoma is the deadliest form of the disease and according to the ADDA, it is estimated that there will be about 105,750 new cases of melanoma in 2005, which represents a 10 percent increase in new cases from 2004. The industry has always faced debate over the undeniable links between ultraviolet radia-
tion and skin cancer. However, a new turn in the debate over the industries health concerns has erupted on the topic of teen tanning. The AADA is opposed to minors being permitted to use indoor tanning devices. So far, 22 states have placed a ban on minors using the devices but the ADDA are pushing for tougher and more widespread restriction. Currently in Pennsylvania, House Bill 548 has been proposed to ban under 18’s from tanning, amongst other measures such as the essential placement of warning signs throughout salons on the possible dangers of the ultraviolet radiation that is emitted. The consensus among the tanning industry is that self-regulation is enough and reforms such as Bill 548 are unnecessary. Charis Munoz, senior special and elementary major and threeyear-employee of Hollywood Tans, believes that her company provides adequate information in their release form. According to Munoz, the salons’ busy season runs from the end of February through the summer months and they are currently packed with tan seekers. “The release form warns of possible dangers and requires each new customer must fill in details on their age and any medical condition they have,” Munoz said. On the topic of minors tanning, Munoz said, “Really we only will require parental permission if the customer is under 14 or 15.” “Tanning indoors is safer than outside tanning. Our best bed emits only two percent ultraviolet B radiation which is what does the damage to your skin by burning it,” Munoz said. Hollywood Tans is a leader in the industry with over 200
salons nationwide. Their website lists various benefits of indoor tanning such as weight loss, cures for skin ailments and ‘the feel good’ syndrome that comes from the production of endorphins through ultraviolet exposure. This theory of endorphin release has been developed by many dermatologists and new studies are finding that tanning can become addictive. The industry has become a $5 billion goldmine amidst these health warnings and debates. So is it these addictive endorphins or are there deeper reasons behind the need to be bronze? “It makes me feel healthy when I tan,” a senior education major from Cabrini College said. The senior began tanning when she was merely 16 years old and now maintains her skin tone with up to three visits a week to the salon. Three years ago, a mole on her side began to grow darker in color. On visiting her doctor, she was told that the mole was a sign of developing skin cancer and it may have been malignant. The mole was found to be benign after removal but the advice from the doctor was “no more tanning and to wear a high factor sun block.” However the student still persists in paying a visit to her local salon. “But now I’m more careful, my skin gets checked every six months. What would it take for me to stop? I guess for someone close to me to get skin cancer,” she said. Although college student Andrew Mindnich, a junior English/ communication major, does not use the devices himself he appreciates the attraction a tan can have. “A tan can never hurt on a girl,” he said, but on choosing a tanned girl over a
KRT
As summer appraoches and the weather heats up, students hit the tanning salons despite risks of cancer.
paler skinned one Mindnich said, “It all depends on the girl.” As Pennsylvania awaits the verdict on House bill 548, teens still flock to the tanning booths. Restrictions may soon be enforced to require parental consent or to ban minors completely but how these will be implemented or even if they will is still in the air. But it cannot be doubted that indoor tanning has established itself as a
lucrative industry and will remain as long as a bronzed body is considered attractive. As for Hollywood Tans worker Munoz, she continues to welcome new customers everyday and occasionally steps into the booth herself. But in the future would she let her children tan artificially? Munoz said, “no I probably wouldn’t, not until they were at least 18 anyway.”
Students honored for outreach service SHARON KOLANKIEWICZ STAFF WRITER SMK724@CABRINI.EDU Last Thursday, students were honored for their participation in community and outreach service throughout the year at the 3rd annual Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Banquet. The ceremony recognized students and organizations for their leadership in various service projects. Some of the organizations that were honored included, Up ‘Til Dawn, CAP Board, Habitat for Humanity, WYBF and other various organizations. New organizations were honored, such as the WOLF Pack, which is a freshmen-run group that participated in social activities with outreach to children from Norristown and Iraq. The honorees were recognized for organizing voter registration drives, selling blue wristbands for tsunami relief efforts and linking the campus community through an immigrant advocacy group. Individual awards
were given to students who displayed leadership throughout the year. Individuals who were recognized included the Pierce scholars, leaders of the New York City Cabrini Immersion trip, the leaders of Project Appalachia and volunteers at Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The awards banquet was sponsored by the Wolfington Center, under the supervision of Dr. Mary Laver and student leader Matt Grzeskowiak. The event coordination was provided by Dr. Angela Corbo’s organizational communication course. The main theme was “Cabrini
and Hearts and Hands in Solidarity with The World.” Laver started off the event by talking about how students’ service projects reflected Catholic Social Teachings, including human dignity, solidarity and social justice. There was also a time of reflection on Pope John Paul II’s journey towards peace and justice. Alumna Renee DiPietro spoke at the event. DiPietro graduated from Cabrini in 2003 and was highly involved with service. She is now involved with “City Year,” which devotes time to volunteering in inner-
JESS WEB/PHOTO EDITOR
Students are honored for their volunteer work in the Wolfington Center.
city schools. She spoke passionately about the importance of volunteering, social justice and community service. Laver expressed how she is extremely pleased with how proactive the students have been this year in community service. “I’m really glad to see that Cabrini students ‘get it,’ and that everybody has a talent,” Laver said. She also is impressed at how many groups have started their own community service projects such as the radio station, roller hockey club and some of the RAs who linked service and advocacy with the Cabrini community. Another new group, “Roots and Shoots,” was recognized for promoting environmental education on-and offcampus. Junior Maureen Cooper, who participated in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, feels honored to volunteer. “Helping people, especially children, is a great feeling, and it is self-rewarding,” Cooper said. Laver believes that it is refreshing to see the younger
generation portrayed in a more positive light. She agrees that there is so much negative media on the younger generation, but events such as the CEO banquet show how there are young people trying to make a difference. “There were 12 individual honorees and five student organizations honored in 2003, the first year of the CEO event; 34 student individuals and 25 groups were honored this year. I can’t help but be impressed with that growth,” Laver said. The ceremony concluded with a touching presentation by freshman Adam Poresky. Poresky presented a slide show showing his experience in Indonesia, his home country, after the tsunami hit and left damage. He spent his spring break in Indonesia helping the people who were hit; he spent most of his time with children at a local orphanage. His concluding presentation left everyone realizing the importance of human dignity and reaching out to help others.