Summer is here, and many outdoor activities increase our exposure to the sun. Unfortunately, exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight can result in painful sunburns. Worse yet, sun exposure is believed to promote the most common type of cancer in the US – skin cancer. In 2004, over 50,000 people in the US were diagnosed with skin cancer. Almost 8,000 people died of skin cancer. How can we decrease our risk of getting skin cancer? Generally, avoiding intense exposure is the best advice. However, if avoiding the sun is not possible, then the following sun-protective actions should always be taken:
· Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10:00am – 4:00pm), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage. Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. Get a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck
· Grab sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible
· Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
Always remember that UV rays can reflect off of virtually any surface (including sand, snow, and concrete) and can still reach you in the shade. Therefore, the best way to protect your skin and lips is to always wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you are outside, even when you are in the shade. What if I want to get a healthy tan for the summer? A suntan is not an indicator of good health. Some physician’s consider the skin’s tanning a response to injury because it appears after the sun’s UV rays have killed some cells, and damaged others. Even if a person does not end up getting skin cancer, they are guaranteed to end up with premature aging of the skin in the form of wrinkles and age spots. So remember, its ok to go out and enjoy the summer weather, but always remember to take precautions against getting skin cancer and premature aging by following the above advice.
