It’s that time of year –the sun is shining, everyone is outdoors, and shorts and swimsuits replace jeans and sweaters. It’s also time to take extra precautions to prevent skin cancer. With summer upon us, it’s no coincidence that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, organizations like the Skin Cancer Foundation take the opportunity during the month of May to remind people of the risks of skin cancer and guidelines for prevention.
Recent studies show that there’s a staggering increase in non-melanoma skin cancer numbers. Non-melanoma skin cancer involves the way either basal cell or squamous cells grow and is typically less aggressive than melanoma cancers, which originates in skin cells that produce pigment or melanin. According to a study in the Archives of Dermatology, more than two million people in the U.S. are developing at least 3.5 million non-melanoma skin cancers every year. In fact, each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a statistic as many of these skin cancers can be prevented with minimal effort. Additionally, Interim HealthCare’s care professionals and nurses also can provide you with assistance. Regardless of whether you spend a little time or a lot of time outside, you should consider the following prevention guidelines:
*Apply at least an ounce of sunscreen (15 SPF or higher) 30 minutes before going outside
*Reapply sunscreen every two hours
*Avoid burning
*Seek shade when outside & beachgoers should use an umbrella with SPF built in (but beware light bounces so you will still be exposed to sun even when in the shade so you’ll still want to wear sunscreen)
*Seek the shade during the peak hours from around 10am-4pm
*Wear protective clothing, hats and UV-blocking sunglasses
*Avoid tanning outdoors and indoors (in UV tanning booths)
*Keep newborn babies out of the sun
*Ensure children age six month and older wear age-appropriate sunscreen
*Examine your skin once a month from head to toe (don’t forget the bottom of your feet which has become a new hot spot for skin cancer)
*See your physician every year for a professional skin exam
It’s never too late to begin protecting your skin from cancer. Most skin cancers are treatable, but also preventable. Interim HealthCare wants you to take the month of May to learn more about skin cancer prevention and detection, and enjoy a worry-free summer.
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