After a long winter, many people love feeling the warm sun on their skin.   It makes them feel good, and it temporarily makes them look good.  But beware, exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles and age spots, and is the number one cause of skin cancer.  

The sun produces ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB), which are responsible for skin cancer and sunburns.   A few minutes of exposure a day over years can cause dramatic changes to your skin.  With repeated exposure the aging process is accelerated, the skin loses ability to repair itself, and becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery.  Protecting your skin from the sun will help prevent premature aging and cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.  The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that nearly 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65% of melanoma skin cancers (the most deadly form of skin cancer) are caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.  

Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body and visible signs are:

• A change in an existing mole
• A sore that does not heal
• A raised new mole or growth on the skin
• Moles with ragged or uneven edges.  It is important learn the ABCD rule of skin cancer detection in moles or freckles:
• A-(Asymmetry)-One half of the mole or freckle is unlike the other half.
• B-(Border irregularity)-The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
• C-(Color)-Varies from one color to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes red, white, or blue.
• D-(Diameter)-Greater than 6 millimeters (or greater than the size of a pencil eraser), or a sudden or continuous growth in size.

The American Cancer Society identifies certain risk factors that may make a person more likely to develop skin cancer:

• Ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure from the sun
• Fair skin, freckling, and light hair
• Family or personal history of skin cancer
• Persons that are on immunosuppressant medication
• Persons with moles.  Although most moles may never cause a problem, a person with many moles is more susceptible for skin cancers.

It’s never too late to begin protecting your skin.  Follow these tips to protect yourself from sun damage:

• Seek shade especially between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.  
• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more.  Make sure to re-apply at least every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.  
• Wear wraparound sunglasses with at least 99% ultraviolet (UV) absorption, which will provide protection for the eyes and around the eyes.
• Wear a hat with at least a 2-3 inch brim around to protect areas often exposed to the sun.
• Wear protective clothing when in the sun.  Be aware that covering up doesn’t block out all UV rays.  If you can see light through clothing, UV rays can get through.
• Even on cloudy, cold, foggy, or hazy days UV rays can cause sun damage.  So protect yourself, even on those types of days.
• Avoid tanning beds which exposes the user to both UVA and UVB rays.

Remember, there is no such thing as a safe tan unless it comes out of a bottle.  Practice safe sun protection when you are outdoors.  An easy way to remember is the slogan “Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap”. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses!  Get regular skin screenings from your physician and watch moles for ABCD changes.  The earlier cancer is found, the greater chance for survival.  For more information visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

This information is distributed by Erie County Department of Health, 606 W. 2nd Street, Erie, PA 16507, 814-451-6700, www.ecdh.org.

Laura Beckes, CHES
Health Educator for Cancer & Injury Prevention
Erie County Department of Health