Health Hints
Sun’s up — Cover up
by Deborah Maqueira, Health Educator, Washington County Health Department
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is easily prevented. Young people need to be educated to develop healthy sun behaviors now that will help them avoid developing deadly skin cancer later.
What can you do? Refrain from using sun lamps and tanning salons, seek shade under a tree, umbrella or shelter, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the summer and remember that dangerous sunburns can happen even on cloudy days. When you must be outdoors, apply sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of at least 15 and UVA/UVB protection, even in the shade.
Because 80 percent of skin cancers are on the head and neck, wear a hat for extra protection. Also, wear sunglasses that block UV rays, which can cause cataracts. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to children, and reapply frequently during swimming or other physical activity. Ninety percent of skin cancer-causing sun exposure occurs before the age of 18.
Remember that fair skin and freckles are not the only risk factors for skin cancer. Everyone is at risk, regardless of race or ethnicity, and certain medications and diseases also can increase your sun sensitivity. Therefore, it is important to perform monthly self-checks on your skin (don’t forget your back) and have your doctor examine skin changes annually. For more information about skin cancer, log on to www.cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.
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