True and false about relation between skin cancer and sun

by S. C.

When summer arrives, you may feel that worrying about skin cancer and sun safety will put a damper on your fun. But, you should give them some thought. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2009 there were over one million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 68,720 cases of melanoma skin cancer, the more deadly form of the disease.

Fortunately, most types of skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in the world - can be prevented with easy sun safety methods.

Here are a few true-or-false questions to get you started:

1. TRUE OR FALSE: Sunscreen is the only sun protection you need?
False. Sunscreen may be your best defense against damaging UVA and UVB rays. But, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, you need a little more than the creamy stuff for full protection. You should avoid peak sunlight, which is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wear lip balm and sunglasses, and if you’ll be outside for a while, wearing sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat is a good idea. Seek out shade whenever you can. Also keep your tanning bed sessions to a minimum. Several studies, including one by the Dartmouth Medical School, indicated that tanning bed users had a higher risk of certain types of skin cancer.

2. TRUE OR FALSE: Fair-skinned people are the only ones with a higher risk of skin cancer?
False. Fair-skinned people produce less melanin, a pigment which helps to protect the skin from the sun’s rays. So, they’re more at risk for skin problems, including skin cancer. However, that doesn’t mean that darker-skinned people are safe; they should still protect their skin.

Also, the American Cancer Society states that if you are an athlete, work outdoors, have an autoimmune disease like lupus, or have freckles or irregular moles, your risk for skin cancer may also be higher.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 is all you need.
True and false. If you’re just sitting around outside near a shaded area, SPF 15 will get the job done. But if you’re outside for a long period of time, or working or playing in the sun, go for a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Also, according to Cancer Research UK, children have sensitive skin so they are more likely to burn; a higher SPF is a better choice for them.