Hot Topic: Protect the Skin You're In
As the weather warms, many of us will head outside to enjoy the beach, the pool, the playground and the park. But before you bask in that coastal Georgia sunshine, take a few moments to protect your skin. Not only can sunburn be a real pain, it can be dangerous - even deadly.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays appears to play a significant role in the development of skin cancer. The two most common types of skin cancer (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas) are highly curable. However, melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous, especially among young people.
The CDC offers these tips for protecting the skin you're in:
• Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Get a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Grab shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
For more information, visit the CDC website.
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/hot-topic/protect_the_skin_youre_in.php