5 myths about how to protect yourself from skin cancer
Sara spends much of her summer near the beach. she lives in a
temperate climate and is very athletic. He loves swimming, biking and
play outdoor games. Sara knows the dangers of the sun and therefore
opt for tanning salons to get your ‘golden glow’ while staying safe
apply sunscreen every day before going out.
Joseph lives in a cooler northern climate. summers can be
very humid, but most of the year is mild or even below freezing
during the harshest winter months. The beach has never been much
of a draw for him and spends most of his time indoors doing
activities or at work. Joseph doesn’t care about sunscreen.
and he only had one sunburn that he can remember and that’s when
He was a boy.
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Which of these examples do you most associate with? Made
you know that both Sara and Joseph are at risk of developing skin
cancer? We have all heard the warnings about the dangers of the sun.
exposition. We know all about the importance of using sunscreen
and hats. But are you protected against skin cancer? consider these
myths and facts:
MYTH ONE: Tanning beds are safer than the sun
20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed is roughly equivalent to
four hours in the sun. Although tanning beds use UVA instead of UVB
rays, ‘The Skin Cancer Answer’ states that “UV-A rays penetrate more
deeper into the skin than UV-B rays, can cause skin cancer and can
suppress the immune system.
MYTH TWO: Wearing sunscreen at the beach is protection
85 percent of UV rays can even get through on cloudy days.
That means you run the same risk in the car, walking the dog, or
let your children play at any time of the year, even when
you are not on the beach. Of course, you tend to feel less attracted
on the beach, so it is recommended to cover up even when wearing
sunscreen Sunscreen also washes off with sweat and water and
should always be applied every two hours or after getting wet.
MYTH THREE: Taking care of your skin now will protect you
Unfortunately, skin cancer can take 20 years or more to develop. The skin
The Cancer Foundation states that most people get about 80
percent of your lifetime sun exposure before age 18.
Just one blistering sunburn in childhood is estimated to double
the risk of melanoma later in life. take better care of yourself now
reduce the risk, but not eliminate the damage already done.
MYTH FOUR: Having a tan means you are more protected
Dark-skinned people are less likely to develop cancer, but
tanned skin is actually damaged skin. Repeated tanning insults
the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.
MYTH FIVE: You can’t get sunburned on cloudy days
The fact that the sun is hidden by some cloud does not mean that
it does not need protection against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.
So how do you plan to protect your family this year? Some
Suggestions are to limit sun exposure, especially for
infants Examine their skin for early signs of damage. Use a
SPF 15 or higher sunscreen and apply at least 30 minutes
before exposure and every two hours after that. teach your
children appropriate safety clothing and make sure you and they are covered
up when outdoors. Have fun and be safe.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes.
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
illness. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any
health care program.