Protect Your Skin While Enjoying Summer

With the official start of summer just a few days old, the American Cancer Society and Danbury Hospital are reminding individuals that skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in the United States.

“We don’t hear about skin cancer as much, but we should,” said Mona Gohara, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology at Danbury Hospital. “Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer.”

Dr Gohara recently spoke to raise awareness for skin cancer at a Medical Town Meeting sponsored by the hospital, “Are You Sun Savvy? Stay Wise to the Risk of Too Much Sun Exposure.”

Most people are at risk of skin cancer, she said, because even one bad sunburn can increase the chances of getting the disease. “Most people have had at least one sunburn in their lives.”

Most of the damage, she said, happens before the age of 20, so teens should be especially aware of burning and to avoid tanning salons, and parents should protect their young children.

Getting five sunburns over the course of one’s life can double the risk, she added. Other risk factors include having light hair and eyes, and fair skin. People who work outside are also at increased risk, and those with a family history.

Dr Gohara stressed the importance of wearing sunscreen of at least SPF 15 all year long, and to be aware that sun’s ultraviolet rays can come through the clouds even on an overcast day. Rays can penetrate clothes and windows, and can reflect off snow in the winter.

There are two types of ultraviolet rays, she said, A and B. Ultraviolet A is responsible for most premature aging, causing wrinkles and loose skin. Ultraviolet B causes burning. A good way to remember this, she said, is that A is for aging and B is for bad burning.

There are three types of skin cancers, ranging from the most common basel and squamous cell, to melanoma, the most serious form.

While most skin cancers are treatable, early detection is the key. Dr Gohara described what the three types of cancers look like and urged people to check themselves often for anything new or changed on the skin, and to have a physical exam with a doctor once a year.

An estimated one million cases of skin cancer are found in this country each year, including approximately 59,940 cases of melanoma, the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 1,100 melanoma cases in Connecticut this year.

Though prevalent, most skin cancers can be prevented. Building lifetime safe-sun habits is simple, and there’s no better time to begin than at the start of summer.

The best way to avoid risks of sunburn and skin damage is to adopt a year-round safe-skin regimen. Sunburn can happen when you least expect it — early in spring, late in fall, in high altitudes, on cloudy or overcast days. But it is easy to enjoy the outdoors year-round by remembering the following American Cancer Society skin protection tips:

*Seek shade: Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are strongest (between 10 am and 4 pm). Practice the shadow rule and teach it to children. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

*Slip on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun. Choose comfortable clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that you cannot see through when held up to a light.

*Slop on sunscreen: Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply a generous amount (enough to fill one’s palm) and reapply after swimming, toweling dry, or perspiring. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days.

*Slap on a hat: Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck. If you choose a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.

*Wear sunglasses with 99–100 percent ultraviolet (UV) light absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin.

Parents play a special role in protecting the health of their children. Research has shown a link between sunburns in early childhood and an increased risk of skin cancers later in life. It is especially important for kids to protect their skin. However, sunscreen is not recommended for infants younger than 6 months, so keep babies out of direct sunlight and protected with comfortable clothing.

People of all ages should avoid tanning beds and sun lamps, which increase one’s exposure to UV radiation — a major risk factor for skin cancer. Damage from UV radiation is cumulative.

“Self-tanners are OK to use,” Dr Gohara said, “but remember that they offer no sun protection, so use sunscreen even on artificially tanned skin.”

Early detection is the key to treatment. “If you can spot it, you can stop it,” she added.

For information about prevention and early detection of skin cancer, call the American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, seven  days a week at 800-ACS-2345 (voice) , 866-228-4327 (TTY), or www.cancer.org For other resources, see your doctor, or visit www.danburyhospital.org.