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in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer
Public Health – Idaho North Central District and St. Mary’s Hospital know with summer right around the corner, spending time outside is a top priority for many people. When you head outside, be sure to make protecting your family’s skin a priority too. Sun damage adds up over time, so it’s important to start protecting your skin at an early age. Too much sun exposure early in life can lead to skin cancer later. In fact, research shows that one or more blistering sunburns during childhood or adolescence more than doubles the chance of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. The best way to lower your risk of skin cancer is to practice sun safety. Public Health - Idaho North Central District has partnered with St. Mary’s Hospital to educate new parents about the importance of protecting their babies from the sun through a program called No Sun for Baby. New parents receive a sun hat for their infant as well as important sun safety messages, one of which is to avoid using sunscreen during the first six months of life. Your skin has to last a lifetime, so now is the time to start protecting it. You can continue to work, exercise and enjoy the outdoors while practicing sun safety at the same time. Here are some ways you can do this: As much as possible, avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Seek or create shade. Practice the shadow rule – If your shadow is shorter than you, seek shade. Wear sun protective clothing, including a wide brim hat, long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and sunglasses. If you choose to wear a baseball cap remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen. Apply sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher at least 20 minutes before you go outside. Reapply every two hours and use it on cloudy days and all year round. Remember, sunscreen is not recommended for babies in the first six months of life. Use extra caution near water, snow, concrete, and glass. These can make the sun’s rays stronger and more harmful to you and your baby’s skin. Avoid other sources of UV light, including tanning beds and sun lamps. Tanned skin is damaged skin too. Examine your skin for changes every month and have a professional skin exam ever year. One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer, but it doesn’t have to be that way. By practicing these sun safe habits, you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. To learn more about sun safety and the No Sun for Baby program, contact Heidi Henson from Public Health at 208-799-0368. |
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