Practice Safe Sun During Boating Season
A weekend on the water can mean fun, relaxation and plenty of sun, but if you’re not careful the sun can wreak havoc on your skin.
By Valerie D. Callender M.D.
Scientific research has established a link between exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the development of skin cancer, and premature skin aging. While darker skin offers more protection from the sun, the health risks are still there. Protecting your skin while out on the water will help you have a more enjoyable boating experience.
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are emitted all year long, so there’s always cause for concern. There are two types of UV radiation. UVB rays penetrate the outer layer of skin and are the primary cause of sunburn. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute mainly to premature skin aging (fine lines and wrinkles). Both UVA and UVB rays are associated with the development of skin cancer.
Types of Skin Cancer
There are various forms of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common and develops in more than one million people every year in the United States. BCC represents 80% of all skin cancers and occurs mainly on sun-exposed areas of the body, including the face, ears, scalp and upper trunk. The cancer appears either as a shiny translucent or pearly bump, non-healing sore, red scaly patch or whitish grey scar. In people of color, the disease appears as a darkly pigmented bump, which resembles a dark mole. Early diagnosis and removal of the skin cancer is curative in the majority of cases.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer with about 200,000 cases diagnosed each year. SCC represents 16% of diagnosed skin cancers and appears as a crusted scaly red patch of skin or non-healing sore on sun-exposed areas of the body. By contrast, Squamous cell is the most common type of skin cancer in people of color and is usually found on non-sun-exposed skin, such as the lower legs and scalp. SCC can metastasize to other organs in the body, so early detection and complete removal is recommended.
Malignant melanoma (MM) accounts for 4% of all diagnosed skin cancers. MM is the “most lethal form of skin cancer” because metastasis is common. The disease typically develops from a pre-existing dark-colored mole that has changed in size, shape or color. That is why it is so important to perform monthly self-examination of your skin and to have moles examined by a dermatologist if changes develop. Normal moles have even color throughout, symmetrical shape and the borders are distinct. The ABCDEs of Malignant melanoma detection is a tool used to describe an abnormal mole.
A = Asymmetry: one half of the mole looks different than the other half
B = Border: irregular, blurred
C= Color: contains various colors – black, brown, tan, and gray
D = Diameter: size is greater than an eraser head (less than 6mm)
E= Evolving: includes the above changes and symptoms such as itching,
bleeding or tenderness
People of color have an incidence of Malignant melanoma 5-18 times less than Caucasians. MM usually occurs on non-sun-exposed areas, such as the palms, soles, and nails. These skin cancers are more deadly, because they are often ignored or misdiagnosed. Similar to the other forms of cancer, early detection and aggressive treatment of MM is necessary to improve chances
of survival.
What to look for in a great sunscreen
An effective sunscreen should offer broad-spectrum coverage which protects you from both UVA and UVB radiation. You should also pay close attention to the product’s SPF — that number seen on the sunscreen label. The sun protection factor (SPF) measures the amount of time you can stay out in the sun with a sunscreen before getting burned. So the higher the SPF, the more you are protected from the sun. Most dermatologists recommend a SPF of 15 or higher. Interestingly, black skin has a natural SPF of 13.4 compared to 3.4 in Caucasian skin. Sunscreen ingredients to look for include Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Mexoryl (Ecamsule), zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
SUNSCREEN TIPS
Re-apply your sunscreen every 2 hours.
Use one ounce of sunscreen to cover your entire body before going out. An ounce is approximately the size of a golf ball.
Use a lip balm with a SPF 15 or higher.
Try to avoid the sun between 10 AM – 4 PM when the rays are the strongest.
Wear protective clothing – sun-glasses, wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves and pants.
Sunscreen protection should be part of ones daily skin care regimen and worn all year long.
If you have sensitive skin, use sunscreens that contain micronized zincoxide or titanium dioxide.
For further information, visit http://www.aad.org or http://www.skincancer.org.
