Sunscreen 101

Sunscreen 101

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in the United States.  Sunscreen can provide powerful protection against skin cancer -- if you use it correctly. 

What is SPF?
 
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicates the level of sun protection you can expect. The higher the SPF rating, the greater the protection. The American Cancer Society recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, which will provide you with enough protection to stay outdoors without sunburn about 15 times longer than you could if you weren’t using any sunscreen at all. 

How much sunscreen do you really need?

Most of us don’t use enough sunscreen.  To reap the full benefits of your sunscreen’s SPF factor, apply sunscreen generously and often.  For example, for head-to-toe coverage during a day at the beach an adult would need to apply one ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill the palm of your hand) at least every two hours.  Children require less sunscreen per application -- about half an ounce. 

Improve Your Odds: Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

According to the American Cancer Society, you are at increased risk of developing skin cancer if any of the following apply to you:

-unprotected and/or excessive exposure to the sun

-fair complexion
 
-occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium
 
-family history

-multiple or atypical moles

-severe sunburns as a child

For melanoma or any other kind of cancer, early detection can mean the difference between life and death.  Melanoma is highly curable if it's detected early. The 5-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that is detected early and has not spread is 92%. For patients with melanoma that has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is only 16%. 

What can you do to improve your odds?  Regular self-exams and attention to details can make all the difference.  If you notice any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor immediately:

-any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth

-scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule

-the spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark

-a change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain

Are You Really Going to Wear That?
 
When venturing outside, sunscreen is a must, but don’t stop there.  Sun-protective clothing can make a real difference in protecting your skin from sun damage and reducing your risk of developing skin cancer. 

According to the American Cancer Society, you'll get the best protection from clothing made from tightly woven denim, wool and polyester, which are more effective at blocking the sun’s harmful rays than cotton or linen. Dry fabric works better than wet -- even better, let clothes shrink a bit in the dryer because a denser weave provides even more protection.  Your hat should have a broad brim – baseball caps can protect the head, but they do not protect the ears or neck.  And don’t forget to protect your eyes with wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection. 

If you’re serious about incorporating sun-protective clothing into your wardrobe, shop for clothes that are made specifically for that purpose.  Reputable manufacturers of sun-protective clothing will include an SPF rating right on the label.