Shun the Sun – by Sandra Gordon

Skin cancer is on the rise, yet it’s one of the most preventable forms for cancer. (isn’t that a good news?)  If you spent timke in the sun as a child, you can’t take it back.  But you can minimize further damage.

- Thirty minutes before going outside, apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factgor (SPF) of at least 15 on all exposed skin.    Even if you are going out for just 10 minutes, sun damage is cumulative.

-  Don’t forget the sunsreeen even on cloudy days.  The sun’s rays still penetrate and harm the skin.

-  Don’t rely on sunscreen entirely.  For best protection, wear a wide-brimmed hat, long pants, and long sleeves on sunny days.

- Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB light year-round to protect your eyes from the sun.  If you wear prescription glasses, have the lenses covered with a UV coating.

- Take the same precautions with your children.   Apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 to all of their exposed skin, and have them wear sunglasses whenever they are out in the sun.

- Learn the ABCDs of melonamona (cancer skin tumors).  Check your moles once yearly in the mirror.  Are they assymetrical (one half of the mole doesnot match the other)?  Are the borders notched, ragged, or blurred?  Is the color not uniform or intensely black?  Is the diameter greater than one quarter of an inch?  If so, or if you notice something you think is questionable, see a dematologist immediately.  Catching cancer early could save your life.