Sara spends much of her summer near the beach.
She lives in a mild climate and is very
athletic. She loves to swim, bike and play games
outdoors. Sara knows the dangers of the sun and
so she opts for tanning salons to get her
'golden glow' while being sure to apply
sunscreen every day before heading out.
Joseph
lives in a cooler, northern climate. The summers
can be very humid, but most of the year is mild
or even below freezing during the harshest
winter months. The beach has never been much of
a draw for him and he spends most of his time
doing indoor activities or at his job. Joseph
doesn't worry about sunscreen and only had one
sunburn that he can remember and that was when
he was a child.
Which of these examples do you most associate
yourself with? Did you know that Sara and Joseph
are both at risk of developing skin cancer? We
have all heard the warnings about the dangers of
sun exposure. We know all about the importance
of wearing sunscreen and hats. But are YOU
protected from skin cancer? Consider these myths
and facts:
MYTH ONE: Tanning Beds are Safer than the
Sun
20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed is
roughly equivalent to four hours in the sun.
Although sun beds use UVA rather than UVB rays,
'The Skin Cancer Answer' states that "UV-A
penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV-B,
can cause skin cancer, and may suppress the
immune system."
MYTH TWO: Wearing Sunscreen at the Beach
is Protection
85 percent of UV rays can even make it
through on cloudy days. That means you are
equally at risk in the car, walking the dog or
letting your children out to play at any time of
year - even when you're not at the beach. Of
course, you are usually less attired at the
beach and so covering up is recommended even
when wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen also wears off
with sweat and water and should always be
applied every two hours or after getting wet.
MYTH THREE: Taking Care Of Your Skin Now
Will Protect You
Sadly, skin cancer can take 20 or more years
to develop. The Skin Cancer Foundation states
that most people receive about 80 percent of
their lifetime sun exposure before the age of
18. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood is
estimated to double the risk of melanoma later
in life. Taking better care now will reduce the
risk, but not eliminate the damage already done.
MYTH FOUR: Having a Tan Means You're More
Protected
Dark skinned individuals are less likely to
develop cancer, but tanned skin is actually
damaged skin. Repeated tanning injures the skin
and increases the risk of skin cancer.
MYTH FIVE: You Can't get Burned on
Overcast Days
Just because the sun is hidden by some cloud
does not mean that you don't need protection
from the harmful effects of the suns rays.
So how do you plan to protect your family
this year? Some suggestions are to limit
exposure to the sun - especially for infants.
Examine your skin for early signs of damage. Use
a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and apply it at
least 30 minutes before exposure and every two
hours after that. Teach your children good
safety habits and be sure you and they are
covered up when outdoors. Have fun and be safe.
The information contained in this article is
for educational purposes only and is not
intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure
any disease. Consult a health care practitioner
before beginning any health care program.
