If you would like to learn more about skin cancer screenings in your area where you reside, you can access this very information on the following address at www.aad.org This site will inform you of any skin cancer screenings that exist in your hometown. These screenings are very helpful in the prevention and treatment of skin cancers in that if it is determined that you do have the beginning stages of skin cancer, many times it can be prevented from spreading any further if caught early.



Here are Safe Sun Tips that the American Academy Of Dermatology has put out to help keep you and your family safe in the Arizona sun.

1. Use sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) no less than 15. The higher the number, the better. This will provide a broad spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) as well as ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply the sun protectant lotion at least every two hours. You should also use sunscreen after swimming or sweating.

2. Wear protective clothing and don't be afraid to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. In areas where the sun is consistently a daily issue such as Arizona, many people wear long-sleeved shirts and pants whose profession requires them to work in the sun, along with a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. This is extremely important especially between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun's rays are the strongest.

3. Safe Sun Tips include taking breaks from the immediate sun and seeking shade when possible. Remember that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM. If you are near the sun, water or sand, this will greatly increase your chances of getting sunburned.

4. Don't forget the kids when thinking about Safe Sun Tips. Set a good example of Safe Sun Tips. If you have kids, remember to protect them from sunburn, too. Apply sunscreen lotion to them frequently.

5. Don't seek the sun for your vitamin D source. Vitamin D is also obtained through a nutritious diet that is rich in vitamins. Vitamin D source examples include: mushrooms, brewer's yeast, eggs,fish, fish oil and wheat bran. A good high quality vitamin will also supply adequate vitamin D, too.

6. Avoid tanning beds! Tanning beds have Ultraviolet light that can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. There are alternative lotions that you can buy, some better than others, that can be applied to give you the appearance of a tan, if so desired.

7. Pay attention to your skin. If there are changes on your skin that you believe were not there before such as a growth, or if you have something on your skin that tends to bleed, contact your dermatologist, immediately.

8. Many times, skin cancer is treatable. If caught early on, your chances of survival are high. If you see anything that doesn't look right, notify your doctor immediately. It is better to be safe than sorry.

9. Remember that no one is immune from the possibility of getting sunburned. While Caucasians are at a greater risk for skin cancer, no matter how naturally dark your skin may be, you can still cause damage to your skin caused by too much sun. Even if you have only had a few serious sunburns in your life, you can still end up getting cancer later on in life. Take care when in the sun and use your Safe-Sun-Tips.

10. Make sure that you apply sunscreen on cloudy days, as you can still get sunburned on cloudy days and keep your Safe Sun Tips fresh in your mind at all times when in the sun.

Here is one final note. Don't forget the most forgotten areas such as your arms and the legs. People usually remember to protect their face, but many people forget to apply sunscreen to areas such as their ears and behind their knees and the tops of the feet.

Remember that skin cancer is not immune to certain areas on your body. Even in areas where you don't think skin cancer would be found, are just the areas where skin cancer is possible to appear. One very important step when applying sunscreen onto your scalp is to make sure that you massage the lotion deeply into your roots. Always make sure that you remember to apply sunscreen onto these areas as well as your lips. You should apply at least a SPF of 15, preferably a stronger SPF, if possible.

It is also advised to use a color gloss rather than a clear lip protectant because the color gloss will actually protect your lips even more. And, since everyone looks stylish in sunglasses, pick out a pair that blocks all UVA and UVB rays. Also be advised that exposing your eyes to the sun may result in eye damage such as vision loss.