Health News / July 2007
Summer Sun Shadow
Summer time is sunning time, and a time to head for lakes, beaches, parks and enjoy outdoor activities in the sun. But, the American Cancer Society urges people to follow simple guidelines to take care of their skin and prevent skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. According to the ACC, nearly one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year in the US. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for about 59,940 cases in 2007.
Risk factors for skin cancer include unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sun; fair complexion; family history; severe sunburns as a child; occupational exposures to cancer causing materials or radium; and multiple or atypical moles on the skin.
The best ways to lower the risk of developing all kinds of skin cancer are to avoid intense sunlight for long periods of time and to practice sun safety.
To protect the skin, avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm and seek shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are brightest and strongest.
Slip on a shirt. Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you’re out in the sun. Choose comfortable clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that you cannot see through when held up to the light.
Slop on sunscreen. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 and higher. Apply a generous amount - about a palmful- and reapply after swimming, toweling dry or perspiring.
Slap on a hat, one with a wide brim, to shade face, ears and neck.
Wear sunglasses with 99-100 percent UV absorption to provide optimal protection for eyes.
And it’s just as well to take the same precautions on cloudy days - UV rays come right through clouds.
For additional information on skin cancer, visit at www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.
Copyright © 2001-2009 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business
Organization Resource List • Women Owned Businesses • Support Our Advertisers
Maintained by TEABROOKE
Website Design | SEO | Social Media Consulting
Related Sites | XMLSiteMap | Web Portal
Landing Zone SEO - Website | Search | Usability | Results | Goodness
Send an Email About This Article