PREVENTION

PREVENTING SKIN CANCER

  • Minimize exposure to the sun when UVB rays are at their strongest from the hours of 10AM to 3PM. If possible, try to plan outdoor activities for the early morning or late afternoon.

  • Remember no sunscreen blocks all wavelengths of UV light so physical protection is best.
    1. Seek shade.
    2. Wear light protective clothing.
    3. Protect your face and scalp with a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses.

  • If you must be outside, apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day to all exposed areas. We recommend applying the sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outside, and to reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or heavy exercising to maintain UV protection.

  • Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

  • Keep your infants out of the sun. Teach children sun avoidance and protection starting at an early age. You may begin using sunscreen at 6 months of age.

  • Examine your skin from head to toe every month.

  • See your physician every year for a professional full body skin check.

 Helpful websites:

SUNSCREEN LINGO

  • tells you how LONG a sunscreen is effective against UVB rays on the skin.  For example, if you went outside without sunscreen and it took 10 minutes for you to develop a sunburn, then a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will protect you for 150 minutes (10 minutes multiplied by the SPF of 15).  Currently there is not an “SPF” for UVA rays.  The FDA is developing rating system for UVA blockage and we should be seeing it on sunscreen labels soon.

    The American Association of Dermatology recommends a "broad spectrum" sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

  • means that it blocks both UVA and UVB rays.  Scientists have long thought that UVB radiation causes skin cancer, but recent studies suggest that UVA rays can also induce cancer and cause photoaging (brown spots and wrinkles).  UVB rays are more likely than UVA to cause sunburn, but UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin.  UVA radiation also comes from tanning beds and sun lamps.  Also important, unlike UVB rays, UVA radiation is not blocked by ordinary window glass.

  • (for example Avobenzone)- work by absorbing the energy of UV radiation before it affects your skin.  Unlike physical sunscreens, no single chemical ingredient blocks the entire UV spectrum, thus multiple chemicals are combined to produce “broad spectrum” protection.

  • (for example zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) -reflect or scatter UV radiation before it reaches your skin. They provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.  Because these are not chemicals, they rarely cause skin irritation and are good for people with “sensitive skin.”

  • means the sunscreen maintains the SPF level after 40 minutes of water exposure.

  • means it maintains the SPF level after 80 minutes of water exposure.