Melanoma Cases Skyrocket - Are You Protected?

Recent reports have provided a very disturbing statistic: in the last 28 years, cases of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, have increased by 50%. This dramatic rise may be attributed to the popularity of tanning beds and by the simple fact that people are not taking the danger of the sun's rays seriously.

It is absolutely essential that everyone utilize sunscreen regularly and correctly, and not just when you are hitting the beach. In fact, according to a UV report by the Meteorological Service of Canada, the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation you receive can increase up to 85% when surrounded by the bright white snow. But how do you know what kind of sunscreen to use? You first have to understand basic sunscreen lingo: SPF, UVB, and UVA. The two kinds of ultraviolet rays are UVA and UVB. Both are harmful to your skin and can cause wrinkles, and more seriously, skin cancer. UVB rays cause sunburns and act on our skin more quickly, but UVA rays cause deeper damage.

When we choose a sunscreen, we usually focus on the SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor. This number represents how long you can remain in the sun without burning. For example, an SPF 30 means you can stay in the sun 30 times longer than if you were wearing no sunscreen. The problem is that SPF does not take into account the UVA rays; in fact, most sunscreens until recently offered no protection from these rays because they were not known to be dangerous.

All sunscreens are not created equal, and while no sunscreen will take away all of your skin cancer risk, there are things you should look for when you're searching the shelves. Try to pick a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30. Sonya Lunder of the nonprofit organization Environmental Working Group offers some other suggestions. Look for sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, because these ingredients offer UVA protection. Also, buy new sunscreen regularly; the bottle collecting dust from last summer's vacation should be trashed.

Sunscreen needs to be applied half an hour before going outdoors. When applying sunscreen, you want to cover any skin not shielded by clothing. Don't forget to protect your scalp as well. If you are not wearing a hat, you should use a spray-on sunscreen wherever your part is. If you have color-treated hair, the spray can help protect your color. Lips also need protection, because skin cancer that develops there is often more severe than cancer that develops on other body parts. Use a lip balm that has SPF, and avoid clear glosses made with mineral oil because that will increase the burn risk. According to Dr. Doris Day, spokeswoman for Skin Cancer Foundation, there are certain other areas of the body that people forget. These include the tops of the feet, back of the neck, the sides of the face, and the neck and chest area. A good rule of thumb is to use a tablespoonful for your face and cover your body with the amount of sunscreen you can fit in a shot glass. You should reapply every two hours, and after you swim.

There are certain other things you can do to help protect your skin. For one, do not fall for tanning salons that claim that using the booths are safe because of the kind of rays they use. Those rays are UVA, and are even more harmful than the more well-known UVB. When spending time outdoors, try to do activities before 11 am and after 4 pm. The hours between those times are when the sun's rays are at their strongest and most dangerous. Don't be fooled into thinking that the clouds and the water you're swimming in are blocking the sun. The skin cancer prevention information available at www.familydoctor.org, states that "60% to 80% of the sun's rays can get through clouds and can reach swimmers at least one foot below the surface of the water."

All of these tips should help decrease your risk for developing melanoma and other skin cancers. However, even the most informed individuals still seem to ignore these basic precautions. With the American Academy of Dermatology reporting the diagnosis of one million new skin cancer cases annually, there is no better time for people to get serious about skincare.