Save your skin– stay educated. This blog is a resource meant to spread awareness about skin cancer. Here you can learn more about the disease and how to prevent it.

Why so serious?

We hear many people– parents, health care professionals, teachers–  talk about the severity of skin cancer. But is the chatter true? YES. According to Dr. Leonard Zwelling, “It is actually the second most common form of cancer in young adults 15 to 29.” This is a scary statistic and it calls for some SERIOUS action on our part. Skin cancer is also the most preventable cancer! Let’s explore some more…

 

Causes

Most forms of skin cancer are a result of sun exposure. The harmful UV rays in sunlight damage our cell’s DNA, which could eventually result in cancer. Anyone is susceptible to acquiring skin cancer. Individuals who are the most at risk for developing this cancer include those who work out in the sun (like landscapers, or farmers), those who have experienced blistering sunburns,  and those who have used a tanning bed (especially those who use it regularly over large amounts of time). (Cancerresearchuk.org, 2018)

Picture from: thetruthaboutcancer.com

Prevention

Some of the best way to lower your risk of skin cancer include:

• Avoid using tanning beds
• Avoid tanning intentionally
• When spending time outside:
  • WEAR SUNSCREEN– broad spectrum sunscreen blocks the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.
  • Wear sunglasses and clothing that provides enough skin protection (the average t-shirt is about SPF 15!)
  • Wear a hat– this can provide extra protection for your face and ears, which are very prone to sunburn.
  • Find some shade!

 

 

Extra tips to stay extra protected

• Wear make-up with an SPF factor
  • Many foundations on the market today come with SPF– check the ingredients!
• Use a lip balm with an SPF factor year round (UV Rays are equally present and harmful in the winter)

 

Do you know your ABC’s?

• Melanomas are classified using the letters ABCDE.
• Get to know your skin and check for abnormalities regularly. If you notice something out of the ordinary, immediately schedule an appointment with your dermatologist.

Chart from: http://nadasihat.blogspot.com

 

BUT.. I still like being tan…

Understandably, people like being tan. Unfortunately, the dangers of sun-tanning are real. The only way to really provide yourself with best type of skin cancer prevention is to steer clear of intentional tanning, both indoors and outdoors.

Being tan is a personal preference and no one should feel pressured to be tan. But, there are better, healthier options for obtaining a tan WITHOUT harming your skin.

Some healthier alternatives to tanning include:

• Tanning lotions: Jergen’s Natural Glow is one of the most affordable, effective, and safe lotions for sunless tanning.
• Airbrushing: get a spray tan!
• Tanning towlettes: This is another convenient form of self-tanning (similar to the sunless tanning lotion)

 

In the NEWS!

Prom season is a time when many teenagers feel the need to begin tanning. However, a high school in Massachusetts chose to go against societal expectations. Watch the full story below!

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/students-sign-tanning-pledges-prom/story?id=16296971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citations:

Cancerresearchuk.org. (2018). Risks and causes | Skin cancer | Cancer Research UK. [online] Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/skin-cancer/risks-causes [Accessed 20 Jul. 2018].