Viral Video of the Day: 'Dear 16-year-old Me' warns teenagers about skin cancer

"Dear 16-year-old me..." What would you tell your adolescent self, knowing what you know now?

The advice starts out like you'd expect: "Please don't get that perm," "You have to actually practice to know how to play guitar" and "Don't see the new Star Wars movies." Then the tone turns serious as they explain what melanoma is -- a skin cancer that can spread quickly, affecting the lungs, brain, eyes, hands and more. Some got it as early as 18 years old, and they have the scars to prove it.

May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and this stirring Canadian PSA is being shared to warn teenagers of overexposure to the sun, and the importance of checking skin and protecting it. Produced by the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund, "in memory of someone we love," various adults share how they've been affected and what their 16-year-old selves should've done to protect them from skin cancer.

As featured on Reddit and Holy Kaw, more than 1.4 million people have watched it. Acknowledging their younger selves will never see the video, they urge viewers to share it with anyone who is 16, has been 16 or will be 16 years old.

For the ABCDEs of melanoma detection and how to check moles, visit
