Have Fun In The Sun… But Be Safe
By Marilyn Ranson
We in Solano County have a love-hate relationship with the sun. We worship it at our carefree summer best, and we fear it at the first mention of sunburn or skin cancer.
As we approach summer and the intense California sunshine, it’s a good time to think about controlling our risks of living with the sun. Time spent in the sun, even if you don’t burn, is the main risk factor for developing skin cancer. And, excess exposure to the sun can increase your risk for developing cataracts – the world’s leading cause of blindness. The sun’s ultraviolet rays A and B (UVA and UVB) are thought to cause the majority of the damage to our bodies.
Skin cancer occurs in three types – the highly curable basal cell and squamous cell carconomas and the more serious and potentially deadly melanoma. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year, claiming the lives of nearly 10,000 Americans.
Most skin cancers occur on parts of the body that are repeatedly exposed to the sun’s UV rays. These include the head, neck, face, ears, hands, forearms, shoulders, back, chest and the back and lower legs. Remember, skin damage from the sun is cumulative over the years and cannot be reversed.
Checking your skin every month for new moles or discolorations using the “ABCDE rule” aids in early detection of skin cancer. “A” stands for asymmetry: a mole that, when divided in half, doesn’t look the same on both sides. “B” stands for border: a suspect mole will have edges that are blurry or jagged. “C” stands for color: watch for changes in the color of a mole, whether darker, lighter or speckled. “D” is for diameter: watch moles that are ?” in diameter or more. “E” is for elevation. Watch for a mole that is raised above the skin and has an uneven surface.
Other skin cancer warning signs to be aware of include a mole that bleeds, a fast-growing mole, a scaly or crusted growth on the skin, a sore that won’t heal, and a mole that itches. Report any skin changes to your physician immediately.
Scientific studies show that people who are exposed to high levels of sunlight are up to four times more likely to develop cataracts. Ultraviolet light is thought to speed up the clouding of the lens – and one of the reasons you should pay close attention to the UV protection provided by sunglasses. Corneal sunburn and growths on the surface of the eye are also thought to be related to long-term sun exposure.
A sunburn can occur in as little as half an hour, so respect the sun whenever you’re outdoors.
Here are some ways to protect yourself from the sun:
• Avoid the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wear protective clothing and hats that shade your head and the back of your neck.
• Wear sunglasses with UVA/UVB protective coatings
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more, and reapply it every hour if you’re swimming or sweating. All children age six months and older should always use sunscreen (babies under six months should be kept out of the sun).
• Don’t sunbathe. A tan is just your body’s attempt to protect itself from the sun’s harmful rays.
Marilyn Ranson is a public relations specialist with NorthBay Healthcare, which operates NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville.