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CW28 Safe Sun Awareness Day - July 14
CW Safe Sun Awareness Day Promo
CW28 Safe Sun Awareness Day - PSA's
Sun Safety Tips
2. Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds
UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
3. Generously Apply Sunscreen
Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
4. Wear Protective Clothing
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
5. Seek Shade
Seek shade when possible, remembering that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Remember the shadow rule when in the sun: Watch Your Shadow. Short Shadow, Seek Shade!
6. Use Extra Caution Near Water, Snow and Sand
Water, snow and sand reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.
7. Check the UV Index
The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun. The UV Index forecast is issued each afternoon by the National Weather Service and EPA.
8. Get Vitamin D Safely
Get vitamin D safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with Vitamin D. Don’t seek the sun.
Facts on Skin Cancer and Melanoma
1.The incidence of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is rising faster than that of any other cancer.
2.In almost all cases, melanoma arises from a previously existing mole, and it may spread to other locations if not treated.
3.Melanoma is growing at an epidemic rate with an estimated 3% increase in cases annually. An estimated 63,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed yearly, with approximately 8,000 deaths yearly from malignant melanoma and another 2,500 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers. One person dies every hour from skin cancer, primarily melanoma.
4.Melanoma accounts for 5% of all skin cancers and 71% of all skin cancer deaths. By 2010, it is estimated that one in every 50 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma.
5.Although the average age of diagnosis is 52, melanoma is the second most common cancer in people aged 25-29.
6.Melanoma can arise at any age but most commonly occurs after puberty.
7.No significant advances in medical treatment for patients with advanced melanoma have occurred in the past 30 years. Melanoma currently ranks #8 on the National Cancer Institute Researching Funding list.
8.When melanoma is detected at an early stage, surgical removal cures the disease in most cases.
9.Genetic factors are the most important of known risk factors, including the familiar tendency to develop melanoma, prominent moles, and atypical moles.
10.Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is believed to be a contributing factor to most cases of melanoma; short periods of intense exposure, such as sunbathing is associated with higher risk.
11.The most important warning sign for skin cancer is a spot on the skin that is changing in size, shape, or color.
12.Careful skin self-examination is associated with reductions in late-stage melanoma.
13.Patient or family-discovered melanoma accounts for more than half of all melanoma diagnoses.
14.Thirty percent of all melanoma in men arises on the back—it is important to ask your doctor to examine your skin carefully for atypical moles.