WITH WINTER BEHIND US, area residents are gearing up for some outdoor fun in the spring and summer sun. However, as you plan that family picnic, hike, bike ride, boating excursion, beach vacation, or other outdoor activity, it’s important to keep in mind that sun exposure, while pleasant and enjoyable, isn’t entirely benign. The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause changes in the skin that can eventually lead to skin cancer— the most common form of cancer in the US.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer in the United states each year. However, it’s certainly not a foregone conclusion that you or one of your loved ones will become another skin cancer statistic. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family:
Know the symptoms of skin cancer
It’s important to be vigilant against any unusual changes on your skin and to bring them to your doctor’s attention. The best way to assess whether a growth warrants a doctor’s examination is to remember the mnemonic “ABCDE.” This acronym stands for:
Asymmetry: If you were to draw a line through the center of the growth, one side would look different from the other side.
Border: The margin of the growth is irregular, jagged, or scalloped.
Color: Rather than being uniform in color, the growth has different shades/colors.
Diameter: The growth is larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser.
Evolving: The growth has changed over time. For instance, a once small, symmetrical growth has become larger and irregular.
Be smart about sun exposure
While not all cases of skin cancer can be linked to UV exposure, there’s no question that it’s the most significant contributing factor. So, the best thing you can do to reduce your risk is take measures that limit your exposure to sun or protect your skin from its harmful rays when you are outdoors.
These include:
Be wary of sunburn
Keep in mind that experiencing a severe, blistering sunburn, especially as a child, leads to a higher risk of skin cancer later in life. This is particularly true for individuals who have fair skin and blonde or red hair color. Also, don’t assume you can’t burn—and therefore don’t need to protect your skin—on overcast days. The sun’s harmful UV rays penetrate clouds and can still cause burns even when the sun isn’t shining.
Slather on the sunscreen
Before heading outdoors, protect your skin with sunscreen. The CDC recommends applying a thick layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher 15 minutes before going outside, even on cloudy or overcast days. Also, remember to reapply the sunscreen at least every two hours and after swimming, perspiring, or toweling off.
Wear protective clothing
Your outdoor attire should include sunglasses rated to block UVA and UVB rays, a wide-brimmed hat, and a long-sleeved shirt.
Know when to stay in the shade
The sun’s rays are most intense between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Give your skin a break during that period by spending it indoors, under an umbrella or awning, or in another shady location.
Skip the tanning bed
There’s no such thing as a safe suntan—whether you get it in natural sunlight or on a tanning bed. In fact, according to the CDC, indoor tanning:
• Exposes users to intense levels of UV rays, a known cause of cancer.
• Does not offer protection against future sunburns. A “base tan” is actually a sign of skin damage.
• Can spread germs that can cause serious skin infections.
• Can lead to serious injury. Indoor tanning accidents and burns send more than 3,000 people to the emergency room each year.
Schedule your screening
While all of these sun-protective steps are important, they should not be considered a substitute for annual skin cancer screenings performed by a dermatologist. Screening is a critical aspect of prevention because any precancerous growths that are found can be removed before they have a chance to evolve into something more sinister. Furthermore, if skin cancer does develop, routine screening greatly increases the odds of catching and treating it in the earliest stage when it’s most curable.
