Q: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. What should I know about decreasing my risk for skin cancer?
A: Regardless of age, skin type, sex, or race, anyone can get skin cancer; however, some people have an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the following are risk factors for skin cancer:
- exposure to UV radiation (sun, sunlamps, tanning beds, tanning booths)
- skin scars and burns
- certain infections like HPV
- exposure to arsenic
- chronic skin inflammations or skin ulcers
- certain diseases that make the skin sensitive to the sun (i.e. albinism)
- radiation therapy
- a suppressed immune system (caused by medications or medical conditions)
- family history of skin cancer
- actinic keratosis
- Bowen’s disease
Protecting yourself from the sun’s UV rays is important year around, especially in the southern United States. To safeguard your skin, you should take proper precautions daily, regardless of whether or not you plan on being outside. You can be exposed to dangerous UV rays even when doing something as simple as driving a car.
The National Cancer Institute suggests the following sun protection tips:
- It is best to avoid the midday sun (from mid-morning to late afternoon) whenever possible.
- You also should protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice.
- UV radiation can penetrate light clothing, windshields, and windows. Wear protective clothing.
- Use sunscreen. Sunscreen may help prevent skin cancer, especially sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. However, sunscreens cannot provide the same protection as avoiding the sun and wearing clothing to protect the skin.
- Stay away from sunlamps and tanning beds.
For more sun safety tips visit the websites below or contact Courtney Britton, librarian at Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge at (225) 927-2273, cbritton@cancerservices.org , or visit the Resource Center at 550 Lobdell Avenue.
