| Skin Cancer |
We all love that golden glow we can get from soaking up a few good rays, but did you know that the sun's rays can cause irreparable damage to your skin and eyes, such as premature wrinkles, cataracts and even cancer?! That's because the light the sun emits contains ultra-violet (UV) radiation which can damage or kill cells in your body. Tanning is your body's response to protect you from these UV rays. Tanning does not, however, prevent skin cancer and, as a matter of fact, one serious sunburn can increase the risk of developing cancer by as much as 50%. Also consider skin cancer can take a long time to develop so the sunburn you receive today might affect you in twenty years. What does skin cancer look like? The most common sign is a change on the skin such as a lump, growth or sore that won't heal. Also watch out for a change in the size, shape or color of a mole. A mole that oozes or bleeds or feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen or tender to touch should be looked at by a doctor.
Sun Exposure Index
Index Values Exposure Category
0 - 2 Minimal
3 - 4 Low
5 - 6 Moderate
7 - 9 High
10+ Very High
These values are given during the weather forecast to indicate the amount of UV radiation that will reach the earth's surface during the peak hour of sunlight around noon.
TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR CHANCES OF SKIN CANCER:
* Minimize sun exposure during the hours of 10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
* Use sunscreen of SPF-15 or higher and reapply every two hours even on cloudy days
* Wear clothing that covers body and face
* Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning parlors |
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