SUN SAFETY

Are you putting yourself at risk for skin cancer?

What sort of experiences do you have with the sun?

• Sunburns? Suntans? Use of protection?

Short Term Effects of Sun Exposure

• Makes us feel good• Makes us look good • Vitamin D production• Sunburns• Pain• Blisters

Long Term Effects of Sun Exposure

• Eye damage• Wrinkles & age spots• Suppression of protective function of immune

system• Skin cancer

UV Radiation

• UVA & UVB Rays• Damage genetic blue print• UVB responsible for sunburn• UVA penetrate deeper: wrinkling, early aging,

sun spots, and “leather look”• medication

UV Index

• Helps determine how dangerous the sun’s rays are

• Higher the number, the less time it takes for the sun to damage your skin

• Stay out of the sun between 10 am – 4 pm

Skin Cancer

• Three types: Basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma

Basal and Squamous

• Can be removed 90% of time• Appear in sun-exposed areas• Rarely spread to other parts of body• Look like: pale, wax-like, red, scaly, sharply outlined patch, sore that does not heal

Melanoma

• Starts as a small, mole-like growth; then grows and changes

• Can be removed surgically• Advanced stages may require chemotherapy• Can spread to other parts of the body quickly• Early detection is critical

ABCD’s of moles & birthmarks

• Asymmetry: one-half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other half

• Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.

• Color: The color is not the same all over.• Diameter: The area is larger than the size of a

pencil eraser.

Indoor Tanning

• Indoor tanning raises risk for skin cancer.mp4• Indoor tanning's dark side.mp4• There are a lot of Facts…• The ONLY logical conclusion is…– Increasing your exposure to cancer-producing UV

rays, indoors and outdoors, increases your chances for skin cancer and skin damage.

A FEW MORE VIDEOS

• Dear 16-year-old Me.mp4• Melanoma patient's last wish includes warning

about tanning beds.mp4

Slip! Slop! Slap!

• Slip on appropriate clothing.• Slop on some sunscreen.– SPF 15 or higher– reapply frequently

• Slap on a hat or sunglasses