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Don’t Be in the Dark About Sun Protection
Being in the sun feels good.
But sunshine damages
your skin. That damage
can trigger skin cancer. Skin cancer
is America’s most common
cancer. About 1 million people get
skin cancer each year.
It’s true that Caucasians get
skin cancer more often than people
who are African-American
or Hispanic. But everyone is at
risk. Your skin may not turn red
in the sun. But the sun’s ultraviolet
rays still can hurt your skin
and cause cancer to form.
For African-American and
Hispanic people, skin cancer often
strikes the feet or hands. So, check for
skin and nail changes. At your next
visit, your doctor may want you to
remove shoes and socks to check, too.
"The most common type of skin cancer
that is related to sun damage is carcinoma,"
states Avery S. Kuflik, M.D., who
is affliated with Ocean Medical Center.
"This typically presents as a pimple or
sore that is not healing or a spot that
bleeds and does not go away. Another
type of skin cancer is melanoma, which
you might notice as a growth with
unusual color, shape, or size." If you have
any concerns that you may have skin
cancer, contact a dermatologist and seek
treatment as soon as possible. Dr. Kuflik, an American Cancer Society physician
of the year reassures, "Skin cancer is
treatable, if caught early."
The best protection? Stay inside
between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. That’s
when the sun’s rays are strongest. The
sun’s rays can even reach through the
clouds. And sunshine bounces off
water, cement, sand, and snow.
To dodge the sun all year long:
- Put on sunscreen and lip screen every day. It should have an SPF of at least 15. Put on more every two hours, and after you swim or sweat.
- Wear clothing that covers your skin, and wear a canvas hat with a wide brim for shade.
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