Melanoma and Related Cancers

The single most important thing a person can do to help reduce the risk of skin cancer is to limit his or her exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, particularly the midday sun (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Some additional preventative steps include:

• Wear protective clothing, including sunglasses and a hat with a four-inch brim
• Regularly apply sunscreen, with an SPF of 15 or higher, that protects against both UVA and UVB rays to all areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, even on cloudy days. According to the National Cancer Institute, UVA is a type of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays are invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UVA radiation also comes from sun lamps and tanning beds. UVB rays are invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UVB radiation causes sunburn, and scientists have long thought that it can cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer
  
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming or perspiring
• Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps or tanning parlors
• Remember, sand and pavement reflect UV rays even under the umbrella. Snow is also a particularly good reflector of UV rays. Reflective surfaces can reflect up to 85 percent of the damaging sunrays

UM/Sylvester offers skin cancer screenings from time to time, typically during May, which is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Sources: Greystone.net, National Cancer Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control