LEWISTON, IDAHO - With spring here and summer on the way, it means more people will venture outside to work and play. Activities like swimming, hiking, yard work and backyard barbecues will expose our bodies to the harmful effects of the sun. May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a month used to encourage and remind people to protect their bodies and to stay safe while enjoying the great outdoors.
What is Skin Cancer? Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma is a very dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma accounts for less than 5% of total skin cancer cases. It is estimated that approximately 62,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2009 and about 8,420 are expected to die this year of the disease.ore than 1 million non-melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed with approximately 1,500 deaths associated with this disease.
Although serious, non-melanoma skin cancers are much less life threatening and easier to treat. Each year, more than 1 million non-melonoma skin cancers are diagnosed with approximately 1,500 deaths associated with this disease.
Can skin cancer be prevented? Skin cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer. More than 90% of skin cancers are caused by excessive exposure to the sun. Research shows that one severe sunburn during childhood increases the risk of melanoma later in life. The best way to lower the risk of skin cancer is to practice sun safety. You can continue to work, exercise and enjoy the outdoors while practicing sun safety at the same time. Here are some ways you can do this:
- As much as possible, avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Frequently seek shade especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Practice the shadow rule and teach it to children. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
- Apply sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher at least 20 minutes before you go outside. Reapply often…at least every 2 hours. Use sunscreen even on cloudy days. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies in the first six months of life.
- Slip on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are out in the sun especially if your skin is fair.
- Put on a hat: Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears and neck. If you choose a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.
- Wear sunglasses with 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin.
- Avoid other sources of UV light. Tanning beds and sun lamps are dangerous because they can damage your skin.
To learn more about skin cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.