June is Cancer from the Sun Month

As a teenager living in Southern California (a long time ago), my favorite activity was going to the beach—any beach. I had hopes that all my freckles would blend into a beautiful tan. Never happened—but I had some unforgettable sunburns. Now I have some big regrets.

Basically I have a one in three chance of developing skin cancer. All those sunburn episodes increase the risk. A light complexion is another factor. Young people who use tanning beds are more prone to develop skin cancer as well.

Skin cancer is a widespread problem—more than 1 million Americans are diagnosed with it every year and more than 20 die each year, mostly from melanoma.

The best treatment is prevention! A young child’s skin is especially sensitive. Babies need complete protection from direct sunlight; sunscreen should not be used on a baby younger than 6 months old.

Cream-type sunscreens are better for children to prevent drying of the skin. Usually not enough is applied. Although a sunscreen of SPF 15 may be the usual recommendation, a higher SPF may be more effective, even if you’re not using enough. Put it on before exposure to the sun—it takes a few minutes to start working. And check the expiration date on your sunscreen. It’s probably best to buy a new container every year. If you don’t like the cream, try a spray or gel. Your ears and the tops of your feet need a coating. And don’t forget your lips—lip balm with SPF 15 protection might prevent a skin cancer. Most experts advise re-applying sunscreen every couple of hours. Water-resistant sunscreen is necessary on the beach or in the water—sand and water reflect sunlight and intensify the burn.

Dress for protection with wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, loose cotton clothing and shoes or sandals.

Some other pointers:
Exposure to the sun before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. is less likely to burn.
A teen who wants a beautiful tan might try one of the newer self-tanning lotions—they don’t turn your skin orange like they used to!
A cloudy day doesn’t provide protection—those rays get through.
Don’t think you’re safe if you’re dark complected or African-American—the sun can still do damage.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a yearly skin exam by your doctor and a monthly self-exam—to learn how to do this, see http://www.skincancer.org/self_exam/spot_skin_cancer.php. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly reduce the risk of death.