August is Skin Cancer Prevention Month – Here Are Some Important Sun Safety Tips

Summertime means beach vacations with locals and tourists alike flocking to Cape Ann’s Many Beautiful Beaches – Cape Hedge, Cressy, Good Harbor, Half moon, Front/Back, White/Black, Long, Lighthouse, Magnolia, Niles, Pavillion, Pebble, Plum Cove, Singing, Wingaersheek …       each one beautiful and unique.

Days at the beach signify relaxation and  ‘fun in the sun.’  But too much sun can lead to early wrinkles and worse … Skin Cancer. You can still enjoy exercising outdoors and a fun day at the beach, but it is in your best interest to take precautions and practice ‘sun safety’ to best avoid the damaging effects of the sun and skin cancer.

Facts from the American Cancer Society:

• The skin is the largest organ of the body
• Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer
• Skin cancer is preventable and when caught early, easily treatable

Risk factors for skin cancer include: 

• Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (from sunlight or tanning beds and lamps)
• Pale skin (easily sunburned, doesn’t tan much or at all, natural red or blond hair)
• Exposure to large amounts of coal-tar, paraffin, arsenic compounds, or certain types of oil
• You or members of your family have had skin cancers
• Multiple or unusual moles
• Severe sunburns in the past
• Weakened immune system
• Older age (although melanomas can also occur in younger people)

Source and More information – http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skin-cancer-facts

Sun Safety Tips –

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Invest in a sun tent or sun umbrella
• Prevent burns.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning beds.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking clothes and sunglasses.
• Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30* or higher every day. (*Check with your physician for individual sunscreen recommendations.)
• Reapply sunscreen after sweating and swimming.

Source and More Information on Skin Cancer and Prevention Guidelines:

– SkinCancer.org   www.skincancer.org/prevention/…/prevention-guid..
– Cancer.org.  http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer-melanoma/moreinformation/skincancerpreventionandearlydetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-u-v-protection

Types of Skin Cancer – 

• Actinic Keratosis (precursor to skin cancer)
• Basal Cell
• Karposi Sarcoma
• Lymphoma of the Skin
• Melanoma
• Merkel Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell

Sources and More Information:

– Academy of Dermatology  https://www.aad.org/spot-skin-cancer/learn-about-skin-cancer/types-of-skin-cancer

– the American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/cancer/skincancer/

Early Detection is Important for Treatment – Know the ABCDE’s of Detecting Skin Cancer –

• Asymmetry (Unequal halves)
• Border
• Color
• Diameter (Size)
• Evolving (Changing)

(Pictures of Various Skin Cancers from MedicineNet.com)

Check with your physician for advice on prevention, screening and early detection and treatment of skin cancer.

For More Information on Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment of Skin Cancer – 

• American Academy of Dermatology  https://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/conditions/skin-cancer
• American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
• Skin Cancer .org  http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/do-you-know-your-abcdes#panel1-1

More Information on Water and Sun Safety for Children –

American Academy of Pediatrics – https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/sun-and-water-safety-tips.aspx

Kids Health – http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/summer_safety.html

Enjoy these lazy days of summer and the many beautiful beaches of Cape Ann, Safely.     ~ Karen Pischke BSN, RN

 

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™  Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

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