Sun Sense

Did you know that by just walking to your car in the heat of the day, you increase your risk for skin cancer when not wearing sunscreen?

The sun's damage is cumulative. Eighty percent of a person's total sun exposure occurs before the age of 18; thus, it is important to protect children from the sun.

"Parents need to recognize the importance of protecting their children's skin, since skin cancer is linked to having had serious sunburns in childhood and long-term sun exposure," said Dr. Shelley Sekula, a member of the Houston Dermatological Society.

Skin cancer will affect approximately one million Americans this year.

"And of those, approximately 7,800 will die from malignant melanoma, which is curable if it's detected in the early stages," said Dr. Sekula. "The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, which have a better than 95 percent cure rate if detected and treated early."

The Houston Dermatological Society recommends the following steps to protect your skin:

• Daily use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15;
  
  
• Avoid tanning beds;
  
  
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours if swimming or exercising outdoors;
  
  
• Avoid sun when it is strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
  
  
• Wear protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts;
  
  
• Be aware that certain medications can make you more sun sensitive;
  
  
• Protect children by minimizing sun exposure;
  
  
• Apply sunscreen to children 6 months and older every day;
  
  
• Check your entire body, even the soles of your feet, for moles or new growths;
  
  
• If a mole or birthmark is shaped irregularly, its color varies, or its diameter is larger than the size of a pencil eraser, see your doctor.

Remember, prevention is still the best defense against skin cancer.

The Houston Dermatological Society represents physicians who specialize in the practice, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the skin, hair and nails.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/06_01_01/page_05.html