06/11/2007

Simple Steps Guard Against Sun Damage
Most people know that too much exposure to the sun can increase the chances of skin cancer, but few of them do anything to protect themselves from the health risks of sunlight. According to the National Safety Council, the incidence of skin cancer in the U.S. is greater than that of breast, lung, prostate, colorectal and kidney cancers combined. There are about a million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year in this country.

In addition to skin cancer, ultraviolet radiation, the damaging component of sunlight, is a risk factor in developing other adverse health effects, such as eye damage, immune suppression and premature aging of the skin.

"As we approach the beginning of summer vacation, we need to be aware that children can be at the greatest risk for overexposure to sun because they spend so much time out of doors and they may not be aware of sun damage if they don't 'feel' it," said Neal Shipley, M.D., F.A.C.E.P, director of emergency medicine at Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC). "Yet skin cancer and other adverse health effects from sunlight are easily preventable."

Shipley suggests a few simple rules for families to follow in order to avoid the damaging effects of sunlight:

Simple Steps Guard Against Sun Damage

• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen – use sunscreen yourself and apply it to children. Make sure it will block both kinds of ultraviolet rays – UVA and UVB – and has an SPF of at least 15. Use sunscreen even on cloudy days and reapply it liberally and frequently – about every two to three hours – especially after swimming (even if it claims to be "waterproof").
• Cover up – wear a hat with a wide, all-around brim and long-sleeved, light-colored tightly woven clothing. Use sunglasses that filter out all UVA and UVB rays.
• Stay indoors – at least during the peak period when the sun's rays are the strongest, from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A good rule of thumb is the shadow rule – don’t go out in the sun if your shadow is shorter than you are.
• Shade is cool – it not only offers relief from the heat, it screens out at least some sun rays. Try to plan children's activities for when the yard or play area is shaded by a house or trees. Tree shade can screen out more than 60 percent of sun rays. However, you should still apply sunscreen. Sunlight can be reflected off water, sand, windows, light-colored walls and other surfaces and it still can damage the skin and eyes.
• Teach your children well – educating your children about the dangers of sun overexposure can help develop lifelong habits of taking steps to prevent sun-related health problems.
• Check your meds – some medications heighten the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet rays. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any medication you or your children are taking will increase susceptibility to sunburn.

"Each of these measures can help reduce the risk of skin cancer and other damaging effects of sunlight," Shipley said, "but they work best when used together. They have a reinforcing effect on each other."

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