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Skin cancer is the most common type
of cancer diagnosed. More than
1 million skin cancers are diagnosed
each year and the number of skin cancers
continues to rise.
 Most skin cancers are caused by exposure
to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Sunlight
is not avoided easily, but there are
things we can do to protect ourselves.
Here
are some of them.
- Limit the amount of direct sun exposure
during the middle of the day (10am – 4pm)
when the intensity of the sun’s
rays is the strongest.
- Seek shade whenever
possible.
- Cover-up – Wear
clothing to protect your skin, for
example long-sleeves and long-pants.
- Dark
colors protect more than light colors.
- Tightly
woven fabrics protect more than loosely
woven fabrics.
- Dry fabric protects more
than wet fabric.
- Wear a hat – Ideally, wear
a hat that has a wide brim; at least
2 -3 inches all the way around. It
will protect your neck, ears, eyes,
forehead, nose and scalp.
- Wear sunscreen – Use
a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
- Apply generously and thickly
on all skin that will be exposed
to the sun.
- Apply 20 – 30 minutes before
going outdoors.
- Reapply every 2 hours.
- Reapply after swimming.
- Reapply if you are sweating.
- Use lip balm that contains sunscreen.
- Remember to use sunscreen even
if it is overcast or cloudy.
- Wear sunglasses – Wrap-around
styles offer the most protection.
- Sunglasses
should have 99% - 100% absorption.
- Look
for labels that state UVA/UVB Blocking,
UV absorption to 400nm, meets ANSI
UV requirements.
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