Your Health

Tanning trauma

Sometimes appropriately called by the slang name "coffins," tanning beds can cause deadly skin cancer.

Melanoma is the most common cancer for those age 20 to 30 and the leading cause of cancer death among women 25 to 29, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Now, the academy is getting serious about its campaign against tanning beds.

It's come out with new ads featuring two young women who used tanning beds frequently until they both found out they had skin cancer at the age of 20.

The bottom line: radiation from the sun is dangerous enough without seeking it out in tanning beds.

And remember, according to "The Stripper's Guide to Looking Great Naked," the best, most even, safest tans now come in a bottle or spray.

Not tonight, dear

"Not tonight - I'm going to get a headache."

A headache not only prevents people from having sex - some people get headaches as a result of having sex.

The most common type of sexual headache occurs just before or after orgasm, is very intense and can be quite alarming, according to a University of Pennsylvania case study.

These headaches are similar to other "exertional" headaches, caused by coughing or exercise.

Someone suffering such a severe headache for the first time should get it checked by a doctor to make sure there's no serious underlying cause.

It's unclear what causes such headaches, but they tend to be over within half an hour, and can often be prevented with medications like indomethacin.

Help beat cancer

The study that linked smoking and obesity to cancer and found aspirin lowered the death rate from colon cancer is back to work again.

The Cancer Prevention Study is in its third generation after two previous versions uncovered landmark findings.

The long-term study will enroll half a million people nationwide to help show what roles lifestyle, environment and genetics play in cancer.

Two suburban locations are among 200 across the country where people can sign up to participate. Both will be held during Relay for Life activities.

The first is at Mundelein High School, 1350 W. Hawley St., from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 30.

The other is at Naperville Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., from 5 to 9 p.m. June 13.

Participants must be between 30 and 65, have never had cancer, and be willing to fill out surveys periodically at home over several decades.

Individuals will be asked to complete an initial online survey and provide a blood sample and waist measurement.

For information, see www.cancer.org/cps3, e-mail cps3@cancer.org, or call (800) 227-2345.

New quick care

The public can get a free peek at the new Central DuPage Convenient Care Center in Glen Ellyn Sunday.

The center offers walk-in medical services for sudden health needs that don't rise to the level of an emergency, such as minor injuries and illnesses, and scheduled exams for mammograms and bone density.

Free summer health tips, kids' activities and free food are part of the event.

The open house is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 885 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn.