Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. Over 5 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, and the American Cancer Society predicts that more than 76,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2016. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Although skin cancer risk factors are present 365 days a year, the dangers are greater during the summer months when people typically spend more time outside in the sun swimming, playing softball or baseball, attending picnics, biking, golfing, mowing lawns, doing construction, and the like. Here are some tips to help you be safer in the sun and reduce the risk of skin cancer:
- Stay in the shade, especially between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
- Try not to get sun burnt.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Cover up with clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Apply two tablespoons of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
- Pay particular attention to the face, back of neck, ears, hands and arms when applying sunscreen.
- Old bottles of sun screen should be thrown away because they lose their potency after a year or two so check the expiration dates.
- Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
- Examine your skin every month and see your physician or a dermatologist every year for a head-to-toe skin exam.
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