Lower Your Chance Of Skin Cancer This Summer
When it comes to sun protection if you were being graded, what grade would you give yourself? Do you apply sunscreen, and wear sunglasses and a hat every time you leave your house? Are you in the habit of reapplying sunscreen when spending periods of time outside? Do you apply sunscreen on cloudy days? You should be asking yourself these questions.
When the summer arrives we all tend to spend more time outside so it is imperative that we really go that extra mile to protect our skin from harmful ultraviolet rays (UV). The most common type of cancer is skin cancer. Skin cancer affects one in five Americans. This disease is caused by overexposure to UV rays whether that be from the sun or man-made sources like tanning beds.
It is important to note that the sun’s UV rays are the strongest in the middle of the day, during spring and summer months, and also at higher altitudes. UV rays can bounce off pavement, snow, sand, and water and are capable of piercing through the heaviest cloud cover. As soon as you step out of your house during the day you are being exposed to UV rays.
You’re in luck, there are a copious amount of simple, quick ways you can protect your skin before you leave your home to lessen your chance of developing skin cancer.
First things first, always apply sunscreen with no lower than a 30 SPF value every two hours to any and all exposed skin. Don’t skip the vulnerable spots like your ears and lips. Lip balm containing sunscreen is available in most stores. If you're sweating or doing any activity that involves water, use a water-resistant version in order to ensure you're protected at all times.
You applied sunscreen this morning so you don’t have to apply it anymore, right? Wrong. Sunscreen is your front line of defense against harmful UV Rays. Unfortunately just using sunscreen will not protect you completely. Wearing a hat is a great addition to your sun protection routine. Try to stick with a hat that has about a two to three-inch brim. Add some UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes and skin around your eyes. Don’t forget to look for the “Meets ANSI UV Requirements” label. Dressing in dark clothing that is also tightly woven material will provide the most adequate protection.
Always try to stay in the shade as much as humanly possible, especially between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. This is when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
Self Exam
You should check your body once every month to ensure there hasn’t been any skin changes that could be an early threat of cancer. Choose a luminous room with a full-length mirror and carefully scan the skin for any moles, blemishes, freckles, and other marks that you have. You may need a hand mirror to see in hard-to-reach places. Don’t skip the scalp. Part your hair to check for any marks. If you discover new spots, keep a log and not their location. If you find a suspicious spot, you should contact your doctor sooner than later. The ABCDE guideline is a good rule of thumb to decide if a spot needs further inspection.
A – Asymmetry – One half of the spot is different than the other half
B – Border – Edges of the spot are uneven, ragged, or unclear
C – Color – Color is inconsistent or varied throughout the spot
D – Diameter – The spot is larger than 6mm or 1/4” across (about the size of a pencil eraser)
E – Evolving – The spot changes in size, shape, or color
You can simultaneously enjoy the warm sunshine this summer and be safe. Adding just a couple extra steps in your everyday skincare routine and religiously checking your skin for new or augmented spots once every month you too can lower your chance of developing skin cancer.