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Skin Cancer Prevention:
The best way to prevent skin cancer caused by UV radiation is to protect your skin from the sun. Also, it is very important to protect children from an early age, since research has found that most sun damage happens before age 15 (read sun protection messages for children as a special risk group at http://www.ecostinger.com/sun_protection_clothing_children.php). It is best to wear sun protective clothing when exposed to the sun, and specially when swimming, and use sunscreen on exposed skin whenever you can.
Also, you should be aware of UV radiation which can be reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice. UV radiation can go through light clothing, windshields, windows, and clouds. Wear long sleeves and long pants, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that absorb UV. Use sunscreen lotions at least SPF15 where possible.
UV Radiation:
The most common place where you can be over-exposed to the sun UV radiation is on the beach. Therefore a special type of sun clothing is required which can give you the right skin protection and the freedom you expect to feel when spending your day swimming, sailing, surfing or simply walking on the sands. The ozone protects Earth from harmful UV radiation. Ozone depletion and weather variations cause different amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth. To check the UV index in your city or country visit the Environmental Protection Agency website.
About UV Protection Swimsuits:
Not all sunscreens provide the same sun protection (sunscreen UV protection is measured in SPF: Sun Protection Factor), and not all sunglasses provide the same eye protection (eye UV protection is measured in EPF: Eye Protection Factor); the same applies to swimwear and clothing which is measured in UPF: Ultraviolet Protection Factor. Therefore, it is very important to make sure the type of sun protection clothing or UV swimwear you use on the beach have been tested and certified to offer the highest UPF rating of UPF50+, which blocks over 97.5% of the sun UV radiation.
You can find sun protection swimwear products online from several suppliers; however only few have the right certification or the fabric they use have been tested for protection against UV radiation. Make sure when getting your UV protection swimsuits that garments and fabric have been certified by ARPANSA (Australan Radiation Protection And Nuclear Safety Agency) with ratings of UPF50+ UV cover; you can read more about ARPANSA certification at http://www.ecostinger.com/uv_protective_clothing_fabric.php
Beware of companies claiming 100% sun protection, or using wrong terms for clothing, such SPF. Also, not all companies who claim the right sun protection term of UPF are necessary genuine and have had their garments or fabric tested by the correct government agency such as ARPANSA. There is no law to prevent someone claiming their products provide UPF50+ protection if they are using their own sun protection tags or UPF50+ in-house designed logo. So be careful how you pick the right sun protection clothing product. Ask about the certification or the government agency who tested the garment.
Skin cancer prevention measures can actively reduce your chances of developing skin cancer if you implement them in your daily routine. The most common form of cancer in the United States, tens of thousands of Americans contract skin cancer every year.
Skin cancer comes in three forms: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is the most dangerous and life threatening. Skin cancer claims the lives of approximately ten thousand Americans on an annual basis.
What causes skin cancer?
Overexposure to ultraviolet sunlight (UV rays) is believed to be the dominant external factor in a person’s development of skin cancer, although genetic factors can play a role. To protect yourself from UV rays, you should take the following 5 steps for proper skin cancer prevention:
1. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure: Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight during midday (generally from 10am to 4pm). This is the time when UV rays are most intense. Plan your schedule to avoid outdoor activities during these hours. Also, be aware that sand and snow reflect sunlight, so if you’re at the beach or a ski resort, direct sunlight can bombard you from every direction with UV rays.
2. Cover Yourself: When out in the sun, keep your skin covered. Wear long-sleeves and long pants if possible. Wearing a hat with a 3 to 4 inch brim all around is preferable. This will guard your neck and cheeks from dangerous prolonged exposure. Also note that dry, dark-colored garments offer the best protection.
3. Use Sunscreen Properly: You should always use sunscreen when enduring prolonged exposure in the sun. Find a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 and read the directions for proper application. The higher the SPF, the higher the protection you will receive against dangerous sunburns. However, sunscreen does not offer “bulletproof” protection, and UV rays can penetrate water, so just because you feel “cool” in the water doesn’t mean you’re protected from sunburn.
4. Use Sunglasses That Block UV Rays: Making certain your sunglasses can block UV rays helps to guard your eyes from serious sun damage. The best constructed sunglasses should have a UV ray absorption rate of 99% to 100%. Never assume that darker lenses equal increased protection. UV rays are blocked by a chemical applied to the lenses. This chemical has nothing to do with the color of transparency of sunglass lenses.
5. Stay Away From Tanning Beds: It is a myth to believe that tanning beds and sunlamps are free of harmful UV rays. These cosmetic instruments might make your skin more attractive in the short-term, but they can significantly increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the long-term. Health professionals advise their patients to avoid them.
By implementing these 5 steps in your daily routine, you can significantly decrease your risk of developing skin cancer, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle that allows for proper exposure to the sun. Another important step in prevention of skin cancer is routine examination by a doctor. If skin cancer is detected early, then your odds of survival are markedly increased.