With summer comes cancer concern
By DAILY PRESS STAFF
LOS ANGELES The official start of summer is right around the corner, but it’s never too early to learn more about protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health would like to remind sun lovers that while it’s great to spend time outdoors, it’s even better to protect yourself against harmful rays.
“Enjoying the sunshine and all that the outdoors has to offer should be done in the most skin healthy way possible,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, director of public health for the county.“Skin cancer is still the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States, so it’s important for men, women, and children to protect themselves by applying a sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15, avoiding tanning and tanning beds, staying in the shade as much as possible, and avoiding the sun between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.”
Facts about skin cancer: • Skin cancer is most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous, especially for young people. • Melanoma is the third most common cancer in women aged 20-39. • In 2004, nearly 8,000 people in the U.S. died of melanomas of the skin and other skin cancers (not including basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas). • More than 90% of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. • A person’s risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns, especially if the sunburns occurred during childhood. • Other risk factors include: light skin color, family and/or personal history of skin cancer, exposure to the sun through work and play, light colored eyes and hair, and having a large number of moles.
Prevention tips: • Avoid the sun and stay in the shade between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. • Do not burn. • Cover up with long sleeves and pants, and wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses if you will be spending time in the sun. • Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths. Use a sunless tanner instead. • A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day may reduce one’s risk if used properly. The recommended amount to apply is one ounce for full-body coverage. Make sure to reapply sunscreen after outdoor activities, such as swimming, running, or gardening. • Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreen should be used on babies over the age of six months. • Do a skin self-check from head-to-toe every month. Make sure to check along your scalp, the back of your neck, and between your fingers and toes.
Make note of any unusual spots or moles. • See a dermatologist periodically for a professional skin exam.
For more information on skin cancer, what to look for, and prevention tips, check the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Web site at http://www.skincancer.org/.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 13, 2008. Read the original PDF.