Bella English on Kelli Pedroia
Globe staff writer Bella English took your questions on Red Sox wife and Melanoma Foundation of New England volunteer spokeswoman Kelli Pedroiac__Guest_: Did you ask Kelli how often she sees Dustin? Is it three times a week or something?
Bella_English: Kelli is in the air right now, heading back for the game tonight. She goes to all the games.
captain_obvious__Guest_: With Kelli Pedroia admitting that just 2 years ago she went tanning right before her wedding, are we really supposed to be impressed? If she wasn't the wife of a Red Sox player, her example would mean nothing.
Bella_English: First of all, I want to say hi to everyone. Hi! And of course, I'm answering questions about Kelli Pedroia and her bout with melanoma.
Bella_English: As for this particular question, I doubt anyone is impressed, except perhaps in a negative sense. Because she is the wife of a Red Sox player, she's using her microphone to serve as a "bad example" turned good.
dustin_fan__Guest_: Hi there, Bella...I thought that story really got at the addiction to sun that so many of us have. I know the tendency is to say, "Shouldn't she have stopped earlier?'' but I really think it's like smoking or something -- a total addiction. I bet she's far from alone.
Bella_English: I think you're right; it is an addiction. In fact, both Kelli and Dustin used that word to describe it.
dustin_fan__Guest_: It sounds like this volunteer gig might save -- or extend -- Kelli Pedroia's life. How committed is she to those oversized glasses and that floppy hat you mention she'll be wearing at Fenway?
Bella_English: Fear is a great motivator, and I think she finally got very, very scared.
franklinturner__Guest_: So disappointed to find out that they're both Republicans -- oh well, I guess the Arizona ties make sense!
Bella_English: For some reason, it seems that a lot of pro players are Republicans.
miketimlin__Guest_: Was Dustin at the interview too? Or did you just get to hang out with Kelli?
Bella_English: Dustin was not there, unfortunately. But I did get some emailed answers from him. Are you related to the "real" Mike Timlin??
sundance__Guest_: Is Kelli able to chat right now?
Bella_English: No, she is on her way back from Tampa; otherwise she'd be here chatting herself.
DICEK6174NOW__Guest_: Was Kelli particularly excited to do the interview? She looks so perky and cheerful in the photographs
Bella_English: I think she was happy to do the interview because she now sees this as her cause. Like many "converts," she is quite passionate about the issue.
south_shore__Guest_: I found a story much like this on two girls in Milton at Fontbonne Academy who are asking their colleagues not to tan before the prom on May 16. (Their dad had skin cancer). Wanted to pass this link along http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/03/27/at_what_price_prom_beauty_twins_ask/. Do you think it's part of the "invulnerability'' of youth, thinking the sun won't kill you, or do you think we can be taught, like learning not to litter?
Bella_English: Thanks for that. I remember the story, and I believe that they had tried to get many of their classmates to sign the no-tanning pledge and were not very successful. I do think a lot of it goes back to the invincibility of youth; I was a young "tanner" myself and even though my father stood over me and my sisters, warning us about the dangers of the sun, we didn't listen. And I regret it.
sun_lover__Guest_: I love the sun I'm 16 and don't get a the problem with using tanning beds. I feel better when I look tan . Why do i have to worry now????
Bella_English: You have to worry now because you'll pay later. According to the statistics by the Melanoma Foundation of New England, people who use tanning beds once a month before the age of 35 increase their melanoma risk by 75 percent. Using a tanning bed for 20 minutes is equal to spending one to three hours a day at the beach with no sun protection.
Bella_English: Tanning beds emit three to six times the amount of radiation given off by the sun.
tanner__Guest_: Are sunless tanning products safe?
Bella_English: Yes they are safe. Sunless tanning products only color the dead skin cells. There is no scientific evidence of any damage. This is according to the American Academy of Dermatoloy, which recommends the use of self-tanning products.
KG__Guest_: How exactly does she plan on being a spokeswoman? Are there ads coming out? Maybe TV commercials? Does the Melanoma group have that kind of advertising money or is she willing to do it for free?
Bella_English: The Foundation is hoping Kelli will do some PSA's and she will speak at some local schools.
duxbury_duck__Guest_: Are other Sox wives on board with Kelli's work? Has she converted others into sun-conscious individuals?
Bella_English: Kelli and Dustin are representing MLB in their sun awareness campaign, Play Smart, and the other wives know where she stands on the issue.
sarah__Guest_: My dad has a stage 2 melanoma, he always played golf and loved the sun. Am I at risk for melanoma?
Bella_English: A third of melanoma is caused by the sun, a third is caused by genetics and the other third is caused by a combination of both.
Bella_English: You need to make sure you get regular skin checks.
unicorn__Guest_: does it matter at what point in your life you were exposed to the sun/tanning beds regarding the risk for melanoma?
Bella_English: No. it doesn't. The latest research shows you get exposure to sun fairly evenly divided over your lifetime. So even as an adult, you should practice sun protection to reduce your risk.
Loves_tanning__Guest_: I recently learned of a bill that has been submitted to restrict the use of tanning beds by teens, has the bill been signed?? If not how can I help?
Bella_English: That is Senate Bill 1329, submitted by Senator Timilty to keep kids under age of 16 out of tanning beds. The bill is under study in the public health committee. You can contact Sen. Susan Fargo or Rep. Peter Koutoujian.
chicagotanner__Guest_: Where is the actual proof that tanning salons, that provide a controled amount of UVB rays, lead towards melanoma?
Bella_English: See the statistics I provided in an earlier question, from the International Journal of Cancer and go to www.mfne.org, the Melanoma Foundation's website for additional facts.
Curt_Schilling__Guest_: Hi, Bella English
Bella_English: Hi, Curt Schilling. How is Shonda?
eh__Guest_: Do you think it's a coincidence that "melanoma" is an anagram for "Man, a mole!"
Bella_English: You are clever.
been_there__Guest_: i am so pleased that Kelli has come out with this advice. My husband died of melanoma years ago, leaving myself and a baby behind. He had been diagnosed ten years before, cleared, and yet it came back ten years later in his lung. This is a cancer that is directly related to sun exposure and I feel so concerned for those who bake themselves in the sun. If they only could have seen the condition of our/his life at the end they would have serious pause for thought.
Bella_English: I am very sorry about your loss and thank you for this cautionary comment.
buhdayduh__Guest_: I too once worshipped the Sun God but having seen the light I now dwell in the shadows of an endless January, so cold, so dark. Anyhoo, how effective is a white t-shirt on the beach. I'm a guy, not J. Bissett.
Bella_English: Not effective. The experts recommend staying indoors during the height of the sun and always wearing a high SPF when outdoors, even in the winter.
Bella_English: I have to go; thanks, everyone, for reading, and for writing in. Bye!