It’s a bright, sunny day. Do you run for the beach, or run for cover?
Today’s issue of The Wall Street Journal explores the risks and benefits of both sun-lovers and shade-seekers. On the plus side, the sun’s UV rays stimulate endorphins that can boost your mood and reduce pain. Unfortunately, exposure to UV rays also causes up to 95% of melanoma diagnoses.
With summer approaching, it’s important to know how to prevent and detect melanoma, the most serious of skin cancers. Risk factors include:
- A history of blistering sunburns
- Light hair and eyes
- A large number of freckles and/or moles
- Family history of melanoma
You can decrease your risk by:
- Avoiding tanning beds
- Wearing sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher
- Seeking shade during the sun’s peak hours of 10am-4pm
- Covering your body when exposed to the sun’s rays
You can still enjoy outdoor activities in the sunshine, just remember to take precautions and enjoy the sun in moderation.
Two new CancerCare fact sheets about melanoma, made possible through an educational grant from Teb’s Troops, will be available soon. Find Teb’s Troops on Facebook to learn more about its Fourth Annual March on Melanoma 5K race, to be held July 25 in Chicago.
CancerCare’s melanoma resources include The Melanoma Helpline. Launched in partnership with The Melanoma Research Foundation, the helpline is staffed by professional oncology social workers who provide free telephone counseling and information about coping with melanoma. Call 877-MRF-6460 (877-673-6460).
Read The Wall Street Journal article here.
Posted by Kyle Hornyak 