– by Maureen Sweeney –
Warmer weather is upon us, which means more sunshine and more time outside. What does this mean for you?
UV radiation is from the non-visible spectrum of sunlight and is the number one cause of skin cancer. When we are unprotected and excessively exposed to UV radiation, we are also more prone to developing eye disease such as cataracts and forms of macular degeneration and accelerated skin aging. There are two broad groups of skin cancer that result from UV exposure: melanoma and non-melanoma cancer. Melanomas are fast growing and may spread from where they develop to other distant organs and can be fatal. If you have had a burn your chance of melanoma is increased. Melanoma can occur in non sun-exposed areas of the skin, and on mucous membranes such as the mouth, and are not always dark in colour. Non melanoma cancer – squamous cell and basal cell cancers – are slower growing and localized. They tend to occur most frequently on the face, head, ears, neck and other areas with repeated sun exposure.
The A (asymmetry), B (boarder), C (colour), D (diameter), E (evolving), guidelines help physicians assess whether a mole, birthmark or other skin lesion should be further assessed by biopsy. The key with all suspicious skin lesions is early evaluation; if caught early there are a variety of treatment options and good cure rates.
In light of the many sunny days ahead, here are some tips on how to protect yourself:
1. Cloudy out?
Apply sunscreen, Getting sunburn is unpleasant but the main goal is to protect your skin from UVA and UVB DNA damaging radiation which is not blocked by cloud cover. Sunscreen that has an SPF of 30+ and is water-resistant is the best choice and should be applied to all exposed areas 20 minutes before you head outside and reapplied every 3-4 hours and more frequently if sweating or swimming. Micronized zinc in cream and powder preparations is non-greasy, weightless and very effective.
2. Don’t forget about your lips.
We tend to avoid our lips when applying sunscreen. Cracked lips aren’t the only worry; this is a common area for cancer and wrinkles to develop. Don’t forget to apply a 30+ SPF lip balm to keep your lips smooth and healthy. Micronized Zinc is a natural, effective lip screen without the nasty taste.
3. Wear a hat.
It is easy to forget about your scalp when protecting your skin. Wear a tightly woven hat to save the top of your head, a hat with a brim can add protection to your eyes, ears, forehead, neck and nose, too. Powder sunscreens can also be used to protect the scalp and hair line.
4. Wear sunglasses.
Your eyes and the delicate surrounding area need protection too! Wear a pair of sunglasses that can block 99 – 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, eye wear can also diminish squinting and the effects of wind.
5. Cover up with clothes.
When in doubt, you can always choose to cover up with a long sleeve shirt and pants for protection. Although clothes don’t block all UV rays, the more covered you are, the more protected you’ll be.
6. Minimize sun exposure.
When you can, minimize your sun exposure by staying indoors or under shaded areas when the sun’s rays are most intense. Note: the shorter your shadow is, the more intense the sun’s rays are.
Be sure to take these tips into account the next time you head out on a sunny day. Have fun, stay healthy, and keep your skin protected this summer.
For more information on skin health – prevention and treatment contact Live Young Medical Services www.liveyoung.ca.
