| As summer approaches, school is already out and | | | | absorb. |
| many of us are taking advantage of those longer | | | | 3. Be generous in application of sunscreen. An ounce |
| days. In some areas, it's already reaching the 90s | | | | of sunscreen should cover the face, neck, arms and |
| while in others it's merely in the 70s. Either way, kids | | | | legs of the average adult. More is better, no such |
| and their parents are spending more time outside, | | | | thing as too much sunscreen. |
| and we need to think about skin cancer prevention. | | | | 4. Avoid tanning beds at all cost/and try to be |
| While some sunshine is helpful to our bodies, too | | | | indoors when UV rays are at their worst between 10 |
| much is not a good thing. More than 90% of skin | | | | and 4. It has been found that UVA may be even |
| cancer is caused by sun exposure, and the American | | | | more harmful than UVB and that tanning beds are |
| Cancer Society estimates that one million new cases | | | | actually higher UVA than natural sunlight. |
| will be diagnosed this year. | | | | 5. Visit your dermatologists annually or more often if |
| Dermatologists all agree that prevention is the best. | | | | something is detected. |
| Here are some precautions to take this summer to | | | | Natural sunlight provides our bodies with Vitamin D |
| possibly prevent skin cancer in yourself or the ones | | | | which is essential for optimal health. As we apply |
| you love. These recommendations are for adults and | | | | sunblock and limit our skin cancer risk, we also reduce |
| children. Babies 6 months and younger should never | | | | our vitamin D. Therefore, it is wise to use a good |
| be in direct sunlight and should always wear a hat and | | | | quality vitamin D supplement (or better yet, a |
| protective clothing. | | | | well-balanced multi-vitamin). It is somewhat of a |
| | | | catch-22: skin cancer prevention vs lacking vitamin D. |
| 1. Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) | | | | Balance is the key. We know the sun causes |
| of at least 15. Make sure it is water-resistant and | | | | premature aging, and the fact is too much also |
| reapply every two hours. | | | | causes skin cancer. |
| 2. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside | | | | Protect yourself with these simple steps because |
| so your skin has time to absorb it. The average | | | | early detection is definitely the best skin cancer |
| person gives sunscreen less than 2 minutes to | | | | prevention you could have. |