About 20% of U.S. adults will develop skin cancer in their lives.
Most types of skin cancer — the most common cancer in the United States — are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds. UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells, causing them to grow out of control.
The good news is that almost all skin cancers can be cured if they are treated early. And as the saying goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Sun safety shouldn’t be something you think about only during a day at the beach. You can protect yourself and your family every day by being smart about sun exposure.
Beyond the burn
How many times have you had a sunburn? If the answer is five or more, your risk of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is doubled. Sun safety isn’t only about avoiding burns. Sun damage gradually adds up over the years, even when you aren’t thinking about it. You are exposed to UV rays while taking walks, watching your kid’s soccer games and even driving in your car with the windows up.
Sun exposure also happens on cloudy days, and when rays are reflected off water or snow. To lower your risk of skin cancer, you should protect yourself from sun damage daily. The best way to do that is to limit your time in the sun. But if you can’t stay indoors, or the weather is just too nice to be cooped up inside, there are plenty of ways to keep your skin healthy.
Lower your risk
If you are going to be outside, try to avoid too much sun exposure in the middle of the day, from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when UV rays are most harmful.
You also can track the UV index forecast, which ranks the strength of UV rays on a scale from 1 to 11. If the index is 3 or higher in your area, stay inside those days, when possible. You can download the UV index on your smart phone through the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. Many weather apps also have the ranking.
Don’t use tanning beds. These beds expose you to high ultraviolet A, or UVA, rays and can lead to burns. Some people think getting a “base tan” before your first major exposure to the sun can help prevent sunburns. That’s false. A light tan doesn’t protect you from burning. In fact, the use of tanning beds can increase your risk of melanoma by up to 75%.
When you are outside, you can protect your skin by wearing sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, sun-protective clothing and lip balm with UV protection.
Sunscreen tips
Not all sunscreens are created equal. When using sunscreen:
- Look for brands that are broad-spectrum. They protect both UVA and UVB rays. Both rays harm the skin and contribute to skin cancer.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF, or sun protection factor, of at least 30 every day.
- Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher if you are taking part in extended outdoor activity.
- Reapply every two hours or when your skin feels dry, starts to get red or you feel a burning sensation.
- Reapply sunscreen about every hour if you are swimming or sweating.
- Use the “teaspoon and shot glass” rule to remember how much sunscreen to apply. Use a teaspoon to cover your face and neck and a shot glass, or about an ounce, for your whole body.
Know your risk
Ultraviolet rays damage everyone’s skin. But some people may have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. If you fall into this category, make sure to take extra precautions when in the sun.
Your skin tone can impact your risk of skin cancer. You should be more careful outdoors if you:
- Sunburn easily or have had a lot of sunburns in the past
- Have eyes that are light-colored, or blond or red hair
- Have fair skin
- Have a lot of moles or freckles
Your genetics can also put you at higher risk. If you have a family history of skin cancer, you may be more likely to have it too.
There are also health conditions that can increase your risk of having skin cancer. These include:
- Having had an organ transplant
- Taking medications that suppress your immune system
- Using UV light therapy for a skin condition, such as psoriasis
- Taking drugs that increase your sun sensitivity, such as statins to lower your cholesterol and some antibiotics.
Young children are also more susceptible to skin damage from sun exposure. If you have a newborn, try to keep them out of the sun as much as possible until they are 6 months old. When babies reach 6 months, you can use sunscreen if they will be outside. Remember, windows in the back of a car have little UV protection, so if you’re on a car trip and your baby’s seat faces backward, you may want to apply sunscreen.
Regular checkups
In real life, people can’t always avoid excessive sun exposure. There are times when you will be caught without sunscreen. You’ll forget your hat at home. Or you’ll forget to apply sunscreen to your feet at the beach.
Because you will likely have some overexposure to the sun at some point, you can spot any potential issues early by examining your skin. Check your skin about once a month and look for any spots that seem unusual. Pay close attention to moles or marks that:
- Are oddly shaped or bigger on one side than the other
- Have an uneven border or faint edge
- Have different colors or that are red, white or blue/black
- Were small, but have grown larger than a pencil eraser
- Change in any way over time – size, shape or color
- Itch or bleed and don’t heal in a week or so
You should talk to your doctor if you have a concern about any mole or spot on your body. They can examine it and tell you if there is an issue. It’s a good idea to find a dermatologist and begin having an annual skin examination when you are in your late 20s or early 30s.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and protecting it is protecting your health. Sun exposure isn’t always avoidable, but you can use these tips to reduce your risk of skin cancer. For more information and sun safety tips, go to kp.org/sandiego.
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