Summer Sun Safety

Summer Sun Safety Month — Observed every August, Summer Sun Safety Month encourages you to take precautions to avoid overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays while enjoying your sunshine time. When you consider how dangerous those rays can be, you’ll agree that safety first is the way to go.

 

 

Sun Safety is Cancer Prevention

We love our outdoor activities in the sunshine. However, sun exposure has some serious risks: Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — is the most common type of cancer in the United States and In fact, about 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed. These cancers occur most often where skin is exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands.

Melanoma, which can be caused by exposure to the sun’s UV rays and/or tanning beds, is the most serious type of skin cancer because it is fast-moving and can, when untreated, spread to other organs very quickly. The good news is that it can be treated effectively if detected early. That’s why it’s important to follow these sun safety tips.

Summer Sun Safety Tips

• Protect your skin from sun damage by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply it every two hours or more often if you’re swimming or sweating. You can also wear clothing that covers your skin, such as long-sleeve shirts, pants, sunglasses, and hats with a wide brim. Some clothing has a UPF rating that indicates how well it blocks UV rays.
• Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes from UV radiation. Exposure to too much UV light can damage your eyes and increase the risk of cataracts and ocular melanoma.
• Drink plenty of water! Don’t let yourself get dehydrated by drinking alcohol and caffeine when you’re in the sun. Remember to replenish the fluids your body is losing in the heat and humidity.
• The sun is strongest between 10 AM and 2 PM, so be sure to seek shade then. Create your own shade with umbrellas, tents, or awnings.
• Cloudy day? You still need to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing because clouds don’t completely block UV rays.
• Enjoy your favorite water activities with sun safety in mind. Water offers a needed break from the heat, but it can also reflect the UV rays, increasing your exposure. Always apply and re-apply water-resistant sunscreen before and after you get wet.

Skin Self-exam

The A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma help us remember the common characteristics of melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can be caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds.

• Asymmetry: One half of the mole or spot does not look like the other half.
• Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, or poorly defined.
• Color: The color is not the same all over and may include different shades of brown or black, or some with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
• Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
• Evolving: The spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

 

See your physician as soon as possible if you notice anything unusual on your skin —a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, any change in a mole, or any of the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma. Doctors look for these signs when diagnosing and classifying melanomas. When detected early, melanoma can be treated effectively, but if not treated, it can spread to other organs quickly. Read more about skin cancer prevention from the CDC here.

Call PPMA at (949) 566-8179 for your appointment.

 

 

 

 

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