Hot Topic: Beach Season is Here!
The weather this year has been so inconsistent with the population wearing shorts and sleeveless tops even in winter months. The current warm weather, is providing lots of opportunities for local residents to dress in lighter, cooler clothing and soak up the sunshine. And while breezes and light winds create the illusion that sunscreen and protective sun gear are not yet necessities, we are now seeing evidence of sunburns that occur even on cloudy days and from areas not in direct sunlight.
While beach umbrellas and other kinds of shade are a good idea, they do not always provide full protection. Ultraviolet rays are invisible and can bounce off sand, water, and porch decks. In fact, reflective surfaces can bounce back as much as 90 percent of the sun's rays. Ultraviolet rays can also pass through clouds and haze requiring a need for more stringent sun protection measures in southern latitudes such as ours. Certain medications can also make the skin more susceptible to sunburn and sun damage so read the information that comes with your prescriptions.
Long-term or exposure to sun can be responsible for wrinkles, blotching, extreme dryness, leathering of the skin and skin cancer. People with fair skin (blond, red, or light brown hair) and blue, green, or gray eyes are at higher risk for skin cancer. People with freckles, who burn before tanning, and who spend a lot of time outdoors are also at greater risk for skin cancer. Artificial sources, such as tanning booths, add to UV exposure.
Cancer of the skin is the most common of all cancers and nonmelanomas (usually basal cell and squamous cell cancers) are the most common cancers of the skin. They are called nonmelanoma because they develop from skin cells other than melanocytes (pigment-producing tanning cells) and because they rarely spread elsewhere in the body. Basal and squamous cell cancers are less of a problem mainly because they don’t usually metastasis. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers occur on sun-exposed skin. The face, neck, ears, forearms, and hands are the most frequent areas. The more common types of skin cancer include:
Basal cell carcinoma usually develops on the face, ears, nose, and around the mouth of fair-skinned individuals. It can start as a red patch or shiny bump that is pink, red, or white and may be crusty or have an open sore that does not heal, or heals only temporarily. About 80 percent of the new skin cancer cases will be basal cell carcinoma that can be cured easily if treated early.
Squamous cell carcinoma are usually seen in about 16 percent of new skin cancers. They usually appear as a scaly patch or raised, warty growth. This cancer also has a high cure rate when found and treated early. In rare cases, if not treated, it can be deadly.
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. And while melanoma accounts for only 4% of all skin cancer cases, it is on the rise and is currently causing about 79% of all skin cancer deaths. This cancer begins in the pigment producing cells called melanocytes; and because most of the cells keep on making melanin, melanoma tumors are often brown or black mole-like patches with irregular edges. Sometimes these are multicolored with shades of red, blue, or white. While having dark skin lowers the risk of melanoma, it does not mean that a person with dark skin will never develop melanoma.
Melanoma has also been linked to excessive sun exposure in the first 10 to 18 years of life. Studies show that only 15% of youth between the ages of 11 to 18 use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and almost three-quarters (72%) reported getting sumburned during the summer months. Other possible causes include genetic factors and immune system deficiencies - not all melanomas are sun related. Melanoma is almost always curable in its early stages but it is also likely to spread to other parts of the body and can be fatal.
The American Cancer Society estimates that this year there will be 59,580 new cases of melanoma in this country and over 12,000 people will die of skin cancer this year. One person dies of melanoma every hour with older Caucasian males having the highest mortality rates.
Scientist have good reason to believe that tanning in tanning salons increases the risk of certain types of skin cancer. Some studies have found an association between tanning booth use and skin cancer risk. One study found that women who tanned in a salon once a month or more at any age had a 55% greater risk of melanoma than women who didn't visit tanning salons.
It is extremely important that we protect our skin and eyes from too much sun. The largest organ in the body, the skin covers and protects organs inside the body as well as protecting the body against germs. It also prevents the loss of too much water and other fluids as well as sending messages to the brain about heat, cold, touch, and pain.
Sun protection guidelines:
·Limit time in the sun and avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest;
·Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreens (even those labeled as water-resistant) should be applied about 20 minutes before going outdoors and re-applied every two hours after swimming or strenuous activities;
·Avoid a tan from natural or artificial light such as tanning beds and sun lamps – these provide an additional source of UV radiation.
·Teach children sun safety practices at an early age.
·Wear sun-protective clothing and accessories, such as long sleeved shirts and long pants, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses; and
·Follow the “Shadow Rule” – if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s damaging rays are at their strongest and you are likely to sunburn. Seek shade whenever possible - if there is “No shadow…seek the shade!”
·Arrange for skin examinations or do them yourself by regularly looking over your entire body, including the back, scalp, soles of feet, between the toes and on the palms of the hands. To do a thorough exam, it’s important to use both full-length and hand-held mirrors so you can see the back of your head, your back and buttocks. If there are any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole, or any other unusual changes in the skin, you should see your dermatologist immediately.
Look for the “ABCD’s of Melanoma”:
Asymmetry – one half is different than the other.
Border Irregularity – the edge, or border, of melanomas are usually ragged, notched or blurred.
Color – benign moles may be any color but they are one single color,while melanomas have a variety of colors within one lesion.
Diameter – melanomas continue to grow, while benign moles remain small (smaller than a pencil eraser).
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