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Sun Exposure

 Protect Yourself from the Pitfalls of Parching

    The sun has many benefits for the earth, but it can cause skin cancer.  Sun can cause damage to the skin all year-round.  According to Arthur Sobel, MD, associate chief of dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston , “skin has memory, it keeps track of all the sun damage that’s accumulated over the years.”  

All Ultraviolet Rays Damage Your Skin.

What is the difference between  UVA and UVB rays? 

·  UVA’s  are deep penetrating, longer rays that are constant all year-round and cause all types of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.

·  UVB’s are short-wave rays that don’t penetrate deeply but are more likely to burn.  They tend to be harshest in summer and can cause all types of skin cancer.

Types of Skin Cancer

    Basal Cell Carcinoma – most common, 95% cure rate if detected and treated early.  Looks like a pearly-growth.  It may be translucent and gradually grows, or it may look like a sore that won’t heal.  Treatment is removal by freezing or surgery.

    Squamous Cell Carcinoma – second most common, 95% curable if detected and treated early.  This type can spread and is potentially lethal if left untreated.  It looks like a crusty, scaly patch with a hard, callused surface.  If detected early, treatment is removal by freezing or surgery.  If it spreads, radiation or more aggressive treatments may be required.

    Malignant Melanoma – the least common but the most deadly.  Looks like a pigmented mole, sometimes with an uneven border.  The color and diameter may change over time.  The treatment is excision of the tumor; the amount of tissue removed depends on the tumor’s thickness.  Early detection means less invasive surgery.  If the cancer has spread, chemotherapy, radiation, or other treatment may be necessary.

        Protect Yourself:

1.  Avoid the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM , when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

2.  Cover up. 

3.  Wear a hat with a brim.

4.  Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day and use children-recommended sunscreen on children 6 months of age and older.

5.  If you are outside for any length of time, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30-45, and never less than 15 SPF.

6.  Waterproof sunscreens need to be reapplied every 2 hours for maximum protection in the sun.

      Adapted from an article by J. Robert Connor, Medical Writer and reviewed for medical accuracy by physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center ,              

Harvard Medical School .