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Here Comes The Sun
 

 
Daily Bread
The LORD watches over the way of the righteous.
Psalm 1:6
Take steps to prevent skin cancer

When summertime comes, the sun beckons people outdoors.

While it’s wonderful to enjoy warm weather, sun exposure comes with risk, especially for skin cancer.

“We continue to see more and more skin cancer and there are many reasons for this,” Memphis dermatologist Dr. Rex Amonette said.
  • People are living longer. Skin cancer development is part of the aging process.
  • The earth’s ozone layer has undergone changes, exposing people to more intense sunlight rays.
  • Sunbathing and tanning bed use continues to be popular. “The (tanning bed) light is more intense and it’s closer to you. People may use tanning beds on a daily basis or have home tanning beds that they use,” Amonette said.

But the good news is there are many things you can do to protect yourself, Amonette said.
  • Avoid the sun between 10 a.m.-4 p.m., when it is most harsh.
  • Wear clothing that covers your skin.
  • Use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. Reapply at least every two hours – more if you are swimming or perspiring.

All sunscreens are labeled with SPF numbers. Higher SPF sunscreens offer greater protection from sunburn, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Many people do not realize that because some UV light gets through sunscreens, they should not be used to prolong sun exposure – only to avoid sunburn. It also is important to know that SPF protection does not increase proportionately with the SPF number. For example, while an SPF 15 indicates 93 percent absorption, an SPF 30 absorbs 97 percent of the sun’s burning rays.

Amonette believes that attitudes about sunbathing and its risks are changing and perhaps younger people will do more to protect themselves.

“I find, and my colleagues agree, that people are really protecting children even if they don’t do it themselves,” Dr. Amonette said. “I think the next generation will be more interested in protecting their skin.”

Published: April 25, 2005
Source: Dr. Rex Amonette, Memphis Dermatology Clinic; American Academy of Dermatology
Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR


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