Slip! Slop! Slap!

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are diagnosed each year, while more than 76,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Many people, especially in the American culture, think tanned skin is healthy and pale skin is unhealthy. We encourage others and ourselves to ‘go tanning’ in order to be attractive or look healthy. And to be fair-skinned means that you are unattractive or unhealthy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states:

• A base tan is not a safe tan.
  • A tan is the body’s response to injury from ultra violet (UV) rays, showing damage that has been done.
  • A “base tan” only provides a sun protection factor (SPF) of about three or less, which does little to protect you from future UV exposure.

• Tanned skin is not healthy skin.
  • You are exposing yourself to harmful UV rays that damage your skin. In fact, every time you tan, you increase your risk of melanoma.
  • The truly healthy glow is your natural skin color.

• Controlled tanning is not safe tanning.
  • Sensible indoor tanning is a myth. Indoor tanning exposes you to intense UV rays, increasing your risk of melanoma.

Take these steps to stay sun-safe:

• Cover up:
  • When you are out in the sun, wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect as much skin as possible.
  • Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UV light.
  • Be aware that covering up doesn’t block out all UV rays. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through.

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30:
  • Be sure to reapply at least every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating.
  • Water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof.
  • It’s important to know that sunscreen is just a filter – it does not block all UV rays.
  • Sunscreen should not be used as a way to prolong your time in the sun.

• Seek shade:
  • Limit your direct exposure to the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
  • A hat with at least a two- to three-inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas that are often exposed to intense sun, such as the ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.

• Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps:
  • Both can cause serious long-term skin damage and contribute to skin cancer.
  • Tanning bed use has been linked with an increased risk of melanoma, especially if it’s started before a person is 30.

It’s natural to want to get out in the sun when the days get longer and the temperature gets warmer. Protection from UV radiation is important yearlong, not just during the summer. UV rays from the sun can reach you on cloudy and hazy days as well as bright and sunny days. UV rays also reflect off surfaces like water, cement, sand and snow.

As you spend time in the sun this summer please remember to Slip! Slop! Slap!

Slip on a shirt. Slop on sunscreen. Slap on a hat.