Why is McCain so interested in the disease? She explained via her Twitter account, McCainBlogette, that she took part in the PSA because both of her parents — Senator John McCain and his wife Cindy — have had skin cancer, and she takes it very seriously. Skin cancer should be taken seriously. It can kill you. In the United States, almost one person dies from melanoma almost every hour. And the American Cancer Society estimates more than 1.5 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. Meghan isn’t the only McCain to extol the virtues of sunscreen. John McCain once famously tweeted to Jersey Shore’s tanning-addicted star Snooki: “Pres Obama’s tax/spend policy is quite The Situation. but I do rec wearing sunscreen!” Though McCain also told Snooki he’d “never tax [her] tanning bed,” so apparently he’s not as skin-cancer savvy as one might hope. Tanning beds are also big no-nos if you want to save your skin — and yourself. And no, Meghan’s not really naked in the PSA, but she is driving the pundits mad at the thought. As she tweeted yesterday:
It’s too bad she has to deal with a political feeding frenzy when she’s trying to do something for a good cause, but the “Meghan McCain is naked” brouhaha is actually bringing much-needed attention to the prevalence of skin cancer. So there, pundits. Another thing you should know: Sunscreen does not prevent cancer. It does, however, help reduce your risk of the disease. So slather it on it — yes — but don’t think it gives you carte blanche to bake in the sun. You should also wear sunglasses, hats, stay in the shade, and visit your derm for yearly skin checks. And now, we bring to you the skin cancer prevention PSA, starring Meghan McCain: Do you wear sunscreen or do you go ’naked'?
