Happy Summer - Please Be Sun Safe

Happy Solstice! It’s the first day of Summer 2022. Many of us are eager to take advantage of these longer, warmer days by spending more time outdoors. Whether our plans include hiking, gardening, swimming, boating, backyard get-togethers., or lounging beachside, it's important to remember to protect our skin from exposure to the sun's harmful effects.

Enjoy the summer and the sun with peace of mind with these simple tips:

  • Seek shade during the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

  • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on all exposed skin.

  • Don’t forget to apply a lip balm containing sunscreen to lips!

  • Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or more often when swimming or participating in activities with high levels of physical exertion.

  • Wear protective clothing outdoors including wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Protecting our skin while we are in the sun - every day of the year - is one of the most important preventative measures we can take to prevent skin cancer. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing, and limit time spent in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It's also important to perform regular skin scans to be aware of any new or changing skin spots or moles.

Melanoma, a form of skin cancer, kills one person every 50 minutes - it’s the second most common cancer between the ages of 15-29. The vast majority of melanomas are caused by the sun. In fact, one UK study found that about 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Risk factors for all types of skin cancer include skin that burns easily; blond or red hair; a history of excessive sun exposure, including sunburns; tanning bed use; immune system-suppressing diseases or treatments; and a history of skin cancer.

Symptoms might include a new, unusual growth or a change in an existing mole. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body. Early detection saves lives. Learning what to look for on your own skin gives you the power to detect cancer early when it’s easiest to cure, before it can become dangerous.

Talk with your doctor for more information of sun safety and melanoma cancer. Learn more here.

 

POSTTracey CarlsonCE, HPM, sun safety, summer, skin cancer, melanoma