May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Summer is getting closer which means more time outdoors in the sun. Protecting skin from harmful UV rays can help prevent premature signs of aging as well as sun damage that can potentially lead to skin cancer. Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Mirabella Skin Care wants to emphasize the importance of sun protection!
Did you know that UV rays continue to harm your skin for up to three hours after exposure? Even if you spend only a short time outdoors, your skin can experience hours of sun damage afterwards.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and current estimates indicate that one out of five Americans will develop it during their lifetime. The good news? When caught early, skin cancer is very treatable and almost always curable, which is why it’s so important to raise awareness.
It is impossible to avoid the sun completely, especially this time of year. Be prepared by always having sunblock, a hat, a shirt, and wraparound sun glasses. Don’t let sun damage spoil your summer fun! Enjoy the weather while protecting your skin as much as possible.
Skin Cancer Statistics
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s estimated that more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-cancer. Approximately 95 percent of cases are from exposure to ultra violet (UV) light from the sun, however some may come from indoor tanning beds and sun lamps. In 2018, over 170,00 new cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, were diagnosed. Those with fairer skin are significantly more likely to be affected by melanoma; however, anyone can develop it regardless of skin color. Caucasians and men over 50 are at a heightened risk of melanoma, but this type of skin cancer is also seen in younger generations and is the second most common cancer in women between 15 and 29 years of age.
Skin Cancer Prevention
You can do a lot to protect yourself and your family from UV rays, as well as to catch skin cancer early so it can be treated effectively. Making smart decisions when spending any amount of time outside can significantly diminish your risk of getting it. It takes just five or more sunburns throughout your lifetime to double your risk of developing melanoma And just one severe sunburn during childhood can double your risk too.
Most islanders think about sun protection only in the summer, when they are in direct sun, at the beach or out boating, but UV exposure adds up day after day, and it happens every time you are exposed to daylight regardless of the season and the amount of cloud cover.
Simply staying in the shade is one of the best ways to limit your UV exposure. But “Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap!” is a catchphrase that can help you remember some key ways to prevent UV exposure:
Slip on a shirt
Slap on a hat
Wrap on sunglasses to protect they eyes and the skin around them.
Keeping your skin protected with long sleeve shirts, pants, a hat, and sunglasses whenever possible can keep harmful UV light from harming your skin. For those times when wearing multiple layers of clothing isn’t practical, always be sure to apply a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) physical sunblock with an SPF of 15 or higher. When outside for longer periods of time, use a sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher and water-resistant, and reapply every two hours or after getting wet.
Learn How to Spot Skin Cancer
Download and print this helpful guide: https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/learn-about-skin-cancer/detect/how-to-spot-skin-cancer
