With the summer in full swing and the sun out in full force, Hoosier residents are enjoying all the fun outdoor activities the season has to offer.
In 2009, an estimated 68,720 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma, however, the vast majority of skin cancer could be prevented by routinely shielding the skin from the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Many Americans aren't doing enough to protect themselves. They only use sunscreen at the pool, or forget to reapply, or forget about wearing hats, long-sleeved shirts, and staying in the shade. When having fun in the sun, it's important to keep in mind good skin cancer prevention techniques.
The American Cancer Society recommends following the Slip! Slop! Slap! guidelines:
- Slip on a shirt.
- Slop on sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
- Slap on a hat to avoid painful and hazardous scalp burns.
Opportunity for Interactivity: July is UV Safety Month. Consider a story about residents' misconceptions about sun safety, including how much time prior to sun exposure should sunscreen be applied, how often it should be reapplied, or how to check themselves for skin cancer. For additional American Cancer Society guidelines on skin cancer prevention or for statistics on skin cancer in the U.S., please call Laura Barnard at 317-344-7849.