Sunburns can be a predisposing factor for skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, two forms of skin cancer, are the 2 most common cancers in the United States. Melanoma, another form of skin cancer, has increase mortality associated with it. It is important to prevent sunburns because the increase in the number of sunburns you have will increase your risk to get skin cancer.
While the good news is that more and more people are becoming aware of utilizing tips to reduce sunburns and sun exposure, many people (50.1% of all adults and 65.6% of those in the 18-29 year age group) are still experiencing at least one sunburn in the previous year according to this report. This report demonstrates there is still more work to be done in getting people to avoid sunburns to help reduce skin cancer.
Best preventative measures are wearing sun screen (women are better then men at this), protective clothing such as long clothing and/or wide-brimmed hat (men did better then women with this measure) and utilizing shade (both men and women were similar with this measure).
Here are a few tips on picking the right sunscreen. Look for ingredients such as zinc, titanium dioxide and avobenzone or mexoryl SX. Avoid added ingredients such as oxybenzone, Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) and added insect repellent; as these have been found to decrease the effectiveness of the sun screen. Don’t think that increase price means improved performance, many lower or medium cost sunscreen options compare to higher end options. Creams are better then sprays or powders and look for products with broad spectrum protection and water resistant for beach, pool or exercise activities. SPF above 50+ is over kill, look for SPF 15-50+ which is enough. Make sure you reapply as needed based on activity and never go longer then 2 hours without reapplying.
Enjoy the summer, but just do it in a way that avoids sunburns to reduce your skin cancer risks.
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