Hello, my name is Emily Chow, and I am a sophomore in high school. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where UV protection was crucial even on the days of immense fog.

As an adolescent, I have learned of the many risks of being exposed to UV rays daily and how damaging it is to the skin. From conducting thorough research, I have learned of the importance of sun protection, and how it could be beneficial in helping prevent health risks such as skin cancer. Additionally, I grew up disliking the feeling of sunscreen on my skin, and not understanding the importance of it. Whenever my parents would inform me on the importance of sunscreen in preventing health risks like skin cancer, I didn’t believe them.

Upon further research, I discovered that approximately one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and that it is essential to practice using sun protection to lower the risks. My mission is to educate other adolescents on the importance of using UV protection, to minimize risks of developing skin cancer later on in life. I grew up not understanding why it was significant, and disliking it, so I would like to shine some light on the reasons in which it is important.

From my passion and dedication in the field of Dermatology and skin cancer, I decided to start a podcast to educate my peers about skin cancer, as well as methods in preventing it. Adolescents are very prone and vulnerable to skin cancer, as it often takes many years for it to begin forming. It is crucial to begin UV protection daily, even on days where UV rays may not be visible. The purpose of this podcast is to educate other adolescents on this issue, and motivate them to take action as well.

I plan to release new episodes of my podcast twice a month, and will speak about the various causes and effects of skin cancer, and how it is viewed from a health care perspective as well. Additionally, I will be inviting different healthcare professionals to take part in my podcasts as well, to further inspire other adolescents.