"It was very surreal you never imagine it happening to you."
Valerie Braaten, Had Melanoma

GIRLS WITH GROWN UP DISEASES

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis, stage 2 malignant melanoma, type 2 diabetes are just a few of the diseases that have affected the lives of young girls.  Bile duct disease occurs in infants, and is a common reason for liver transplants in the U.S.   Although there are some diseases that are not preventable, there are still some cancers and diseases that teens can take action to prevent from getting.  Sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented through practicing safer sex, such as by using condoms.  Skin cancer also has the potential to be prevented.  About 30 million people use tanning beds a year and 70 percent of them are young women.  Furthermore, tanning beds actually increase risk of melanoma by 75 percent when in use before the age of 35.
CANCERS TEENS GET: The types of cancer teens get is related to cells growing in an uncontrolled way and the cells develop abnormally. 
* Osteosarcoma- the most common type of bone cancer, sometimes appears during growth spurts, and people taller than average
* Leukemia- occurs when large numbers of abnormal white blood cells fill the bone marrow and sometimes enter the bloodstream
* Brain tumors- astrocytomas, originate from cells in the brain; ependymomas, usually begin in the lining of the brain ventricles
* Lymphoma- cancer develops in the lymphatic system, which functions in the body by fighting off germs that cause infections and illness
* Rhabdomyosarcomas- soft tissue sarcomas, cancer cells grow in the soft tissue of the muscles
FOOD AND EXERCISE: Metabolic syndrome is the cause of type 2 diabetes.  The risk of developing metabolic syndrome is higher around puberty because body fat, blood pressure and lipids are affected by the hormones that bring about the growth and development.  The key to avoid metabolic syndrome is to maintain a healthy weight, stay active, eat mindfully and avoid smoking.(SOURCE www.kidshealth.org)