Thinking of summer evokes images of leisurely days by the pool, swimming at the lake or generally relaxing outside. In all those sunny reveries, be sure to remember another summer essential: sunscreen. It is something we should reach for every morning, just like our toothbrush, in an effort to prevent skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime and one in 55 people will develop melanoma. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults ages 25-29 and the second most common form of cancer for young people ages 15-29.
Since its inception in 1979, the Skin Cancer Foundation has recommended using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. In fact, a recent FDA ruling states that only broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher may state on the bottle that they protect against skin cancer if used as directed with other skin cancer prevention methods. Most people realize that wearing sunscreen is important to preventing skin cancer, but sunscreen alone is simply not enough. Follow these tips for more comprehensive protection:
- Seek the shade, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Do not burn.
- Avoid tanning and tanning booths.
- Cover up with clothing, hat and sunglasses.
- Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day and use an SPF of 30 or higher for outdoor activities.
- Apply 2 T. of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes prior to going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours.
- Keep newborns out of the sun and use sunscreen on babies older than 6 months.
- Examine your skin, head to toe, every month.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number you see associated with SPF represents the length of time you can stay in the sun without burning, multiplied by the number of minutes you could stay in the sun without sunscreen before burning. For example, if you stay outside for 10 minutes before burning then theoretically you could stay outside for 150 minutes if you applied sunscreen with an SPF of 15.
Finally, see your doctor every year for a skin exam and enjoy your summer!
Melanie Yunger is a wife, nurse practitioner and mother of two who spends many hours outdoors while wearing a hat and sunscreen.