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Question: My kids re looking forward o a sunny summer on he water, but my usband and I worry bout skin cancer. ow can we enjoy a ay at the beach afely? Answer: The most urefire way to avoid kin cancer is to stay ut of the sun. Try orbidding your kids rom water sports and andcastles, however, nd you're asking for rouble. But you can inimize the sun's angers while soak- ng in its rewards. Skin cancer is the ost common cancer n the United States. here are three types f skin cancer. Basal ell carcinoma is the ost benign type as ell as the most com- on: It accounts for bout fo ur-fifths of all kin-cancer cases. It's lso the least likely to pread. Squamous cell car- inoma accounts for nother 16 percent of skin cancers. Men carry four times the risk of squamous cell cancer as women. Basal and squamous cell cancers usually aren't fatal, and nei- ther will progress into melanoma. But squa- mous cell carcinoma can be life-threaten- ing if it spreads to lymph nodes or inter- nal organs. Fortu- nately, this type of spread is quite un- common, and even when it occurs, about half of the cases can be cured. The most deadly skin cancer is malig- nant melanoma, which afflicts about 45,000 Americans per year. Although it ac- counts for only 4 per- cent of skin cancers, it causes more than three-quarters of all skin cancer deaths. Without early detec- tion and treatment, it can spread to the lymph nodes and in- ternal organs. Each skin cancer has its own profile. Basal cell carcinoma may first appear as a pearly pimple or bump, a white or yel- low scar, or a scaly red patch. Some basal cell cancers appear as an ulcer that won't heal. A squamous cell carcinoma usually starts as a small, scaly bump and grows slowly until it looks like an ulcer or wart. Squamous cell can- cers frequently occur on the face, lips, ears or backs of the hands. Melanoma requires special attention. To find it early, look for the ABCDs. These letters stand for asymmetry , meaning one half of the growth looks different from the other; border ir- regularity, in which the edges are ragged or blurry; color that's unusual (black, red- dish, bluish or even multicolored); and a diameter that exceeds 6 mm, about the width of a pencil eraser. And a mole or growth that's evolved or changed in any way should be checked by a derma- tologist. There are two against both, but in different ways. True to the name, sun- blocks prevent both UVA and UVB radia- tion from reaching your skin by reflect- ing it away. Sun- screens, on the other hand, absorb rather than reflect UV radia- tion. Lifeguards often use the sunblocking agents zinc oxide or titanium oxide, the creamy white coating that has saved many a nose from too much sun. These ingredi- ents are used in some lotions, such as those labeled as "nonchemi- cal" or "for sensitive skin." Most people focus on the sun protection factor (SPF) rating of sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the longer it protects against sun exposure. The Ameri- can Academy of Der- matology recom- mends an SPF rating of at least 15. People with fair skin or at high risk for skin can- cer may want a higher SPF. But SPF rating measures only how well a sunscreen de- flects UVB rays. A standard measure- ment for UVA protec- tion hasn't been determined. Since many sunscreens are not geared to block UVA rays, seek out products labeled "broad spectrum." They should protect against the broadest possible range of UV radiation. Two new sunscreens — Anthe- lios SX and Helioplex — provide longer- lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays than tradi- tional sunscreens. Even when using a high SPF sunscreen, many sun worshipers get burned. They probably use too little and apply it too infre- quently. Use about a shot glass full of sun- screen for exposed areas of skin, and apply it about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply it immediately after swimming and every two hours, even if you stay out of the water. Because sunscreen and sunblock can't protect you from all of the sun's rays, take other protective measures. Wear cloth- ing made from tightly woven fabrics or those that absorb UV light. Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when its rays are most intense. And wear a wide- brimmed hat to keep sun off your face. People soak in 85 percent of their life- time UV rays by the time they are 18. Given that statistic, it's understandable you'd want to protect your children. Fun in the sun has numerous benefits, and a few simple precautions can lower the risk of sunburn, skin cancer and the wrinkled, yel- low skin that makes sun worshipers look old before their time. OUR GOOD HEALTH Serving All Ages of Individuals & Families Since 1987 Specializing In Healing Work For: • Abuse & Trauma • Life Transitions • Grief & Loss Unique Sand Tray Therapy Experience Available to All Clients By Appointment Only 215 Main St., Suites 3 & 5 Edith Kerby Mann, L.C.S.W. Penn Yan Counselor (315) 536-7329 Sand Tray Therapist Seneca Lake Terrace 3670 PreEmption Rd., Geneva 315-789-4162 We offer beautifully designed private apartments in a neighborhood setting. • 24 hour security • Deliciously prepared restaurant style meals served • All housekeeping, laundry and linen provided • Dynamic activities program • Beauty Salon, Ice Cream Parlor , Chapel • Outdoor Gardens and enclosed patios • Caregivers available Come see why so many have chosen Seneca Lake Terrace Visit us on the Internet at www.senecalaketerrace.com Minimizing skin cancer risk this summer By the faculty of Harvard Medical School Copyright 2008 the President and Fellows of Harvard Wednesday, May 23, 2012 • Chronicle-Express.com • The Chronicle-Express B6
