Too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, including malignant melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer. It’s not just a beach thing. Sun exposure adds up day after day, whatever your skin color. These true/false questions will test your knowledge of sun safety:
1. UVA rays are the most common cause of sunburns.
2. A sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 10 means that the sunscreen will protect you 10 times as long as without it.
3. You need to have a full-body screening for skin cancer, ideally, annually.
4. Going to a tanning salon can protect you from skin cancer by preparing you for sun exposure.
5. You need to wear sunscreen during the winter.
6. Skin cancers are more easily treated than other types of cancer because they affect only the skin, not internal organs.
Answers:
1. FALSE. UVB rays are the most common cause of sunburns. There are three types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays maintain the same intensity throughout the year. They penetrate more deeply into the skin’s layers than UVB rays and are the primary contributor to premature skin aging and wrinkling. UVB rays are stronger than UVA rays and are more intense during the summer, as well as at higher altitudes and closer to the equator. And while UVC rays are the strongest and most dangerous, they are normally filtered out by the ozone layer and do not reach earth. So be sure to choose a sunscreen whose label says that it provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
2. TRUE. The SPF numbers are based on the time skin would normally take to burn without a sunscreen. For example, if your skin burns in 20 minutes, an SPF of 10 would protect your skin for 200 minutes, or 10 times as long. However, while this might sound like enough protection, most skin experts recommend that you always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
3. TRUE. Melanomas can occur in hard-to-see areas of the body that aren’t exposed to the sun, and it often takes the trained eye of a health care professional to spot melanomas in the early stages. Check yourself for any odd-looking moles, spots, or patches every six to eight weeks. See a health care provider if a mole changes in size, shape, or color, or if you see an unusual growth or if a sore won’t heal. In women, melanomas often develop on the lower legs, as well as between the shoulders and hips. In men, melanomas are often found between the shoulders and hips, or the head and neck area. Remember, melanoma can be cured with early detection and treatment.
4. FALSE. Overexposure to UV rays, outdoors or in a tanning salon, causes skin cancer. Tumors typically occur on areas most often exposed to the sun, but melanoma, a rarer form of skin cancer, is common in areas that occasionally receive intense exposure, such as the legs. The best way to protect yourself is by limiting sun exposure (especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and wearing protective outdoor clothing, including long sleeves, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Some prescription drugs can also increase your skin’s sensitivity.
5. TRUE. While UV exposure is greatest in the summer, UV rays reach the earth every day. Snow reflects the sun like a mirror. Fresh snow reflects about 85 percent of the sun’s rays. You can even burn on a cloudy day! Up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate light clouds, mist, and fog. So basically, you need to protect yourself all year round.
6. FALSE. The most commonly diagnosed skin cancer, basal and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. Melanoma, however, can quickly spread to the lungs, liver, brain, and bones. Melanoma accounts for almost 77 percent of all skin cancer deaths annually. The national incidence of melanoma is rising quickly – more than twice what it was 25 years ago.
For more info about skin cancer, call
1-800-ACS-2345.