Skin Cancer Prevention - Ten Ways to Protects Yourself From UV Rays

Skin cancer is considered one of the most widespread form of cancers accounting for about 50% of all cancers. It is associated with life-time exposure to ultraviolet radiation, therefore most skin cancers appear after age 50. It is actually more widespread than you may think, one in every 5 Americans will develop it during their life time. It is the leading cancer in the United States, which affects two million people each year.

According to recent reports, 40 to 50 percent of US citizens who survive until age 65 are going to have skin cancer at one time or another. High-risk groups consist of farm owners, laborers, mariners, campers, athletes, individuals going through military training, beach lovers, and picnickers. Research indicates that extreme sunburns during childhood maximize the chance of developing skin cancer later on in life.

The most effective method to prevent developing cancer of the skin will be to protect your skin by keeping yourself away from afternoon sunlight, applying sun screens when out under the sun and also to stay away from sun tanning beds. But besides early diagnosis, you can and really should try everything within your capacity to protect against cancer of the skin from ever happening to begin with.

Top Ten Ways to Protect Yourself From UV Rays

1. Use sun screen lotion that has a Sun-protection Factor (SPF) that is at least 15. Ensure it is water-resistant and re-apply every 2 hours, specially right after swimming or excessive sweating.

2. Apply sun screen lotion 30 minutes prior to going outdoors so that your skin has a chance to absorb it.

3. Be generous in use of sun screen lotion. One ounce of sun screen lotion ought to cover the face, neck, legs and arms of the average adult.

4. Dress in protective clothing, like hats, sun glasses, pants and long-sleeved shirts

5. Look for shade whenever possible, specially during the hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm when the sun rays are strongest.

6. Steer clear of sun tanning beds as ultra-violet light can result in skin cancer and wrinkles. Use a self-tanning product but also use sun screen lotion with it.

7. Safeguard small children by reapplying sun screen lotion frequently with an SPF that is at least 15, having them play in the shade and dress in protective clothing.

8. Children younger than 6 months should never ever be in direct sunlight and should always dress in a hat and clothes that safeguards them from ultra violet rays.

9. Adults ought to perform regular self-exams. It's a good way to detect abnormalities

10. Consult with your dermatologist and have a full body scan once per year.

Please visit Cancer Survival Stories if you are a survivor of skin cancer and would like to share your story.

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92% Of Sunscreens Don't Work - What Does?

A ranking of more than 500 sunscreen products found that 92 percent did not provide satisfactory sun protection in terms of safety and efficacy. The study, conducted by Environmental working Group (EWG), a Washington-based nonprofit organisation, points the finger at a surge in exaggerated SPF claims above 50 and new disclosures about potentially hazardous ingredients.

Products with high SPF rating give a false sense of security resulting in users staying out in the sun longer with a single application and get burned when the products' chemicals break down, wash off or rub off on clothes and towels. The result is that they absorb more UVA radiation and they get the same number of sunburns as unprotected sunbathers.

As early as 2007, the FDA published draft regulations that would disallow companies from labeling sunscreens with a rating over SPF 50+. The agency feels that anything higher than SPF 50+ would be "inherently misleading" given that "there is no assurance that the specific values themselves are in fact truthful..."

The second key issue with sunscreens these days is two products found in many sunscreens.

The FDA has been investigating a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, found in 41 percent of sunscreens as it is suspected to accelerate skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk when applied to skin exposed to sunlight.

The other is oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound found in about 60 percent of the 500 sunscreens analysed. The product enters the bloodstream through the skin barrier. Biomonitoring surveys have detected oxybenzone in the bodies of 97 percent of Americans tested.

So what is recommended in order to stay safe in the sun? Some of these recommendations include selecting and using sunscreen well, as well as other options for sun protection available.

1. Look for minerals zinc or titanium dioxide in the sunscreen

2. Avoid high SPF.Stay with SPF 15-50+ as suitable for your own skin type. Use SPF 30+ for beach and pool and reapply often

3. Water-resistantfor beach, pool and exercise

4. Apply early. Martin A. Weinstock, professor of dermatology at Brown University recommends the application of sunscreen half an hour before heading outdoors and reapplying every few hours.

5. Apply in sufficient amounts. Studies show that people apply on average just a quarter of the required amount. Sunscreen efficacy drops rapidly on under-application so it is recommended to observe the instructions on the packaging.

6. Reapply often. Sunscreen chemicals break apart in the sun, wash off and rub off on towels and clothing.

7. Use clothing and hats. One study found that melanoma risk was cut by 52 percent for parts of the body usually covered by clothing during summer outdoor work (Holman et al 1986). EWG believe shirts and hats are the best sunscreen for all. Use UPF50+ rated swimwear and shirts and hats effectively

8. Make shade by putting up an umbrella, locate a picnic spot under the tree, take a canopy to the beach. Infants are best kept in the shade as they lack tanning pigments (melanin) to protect their skin

9. Plan around the shade. Unless you really need to, schedule your outdoor visits to avoid the mid-day sun. UV radiation peaks at midday, when the sun is directly overhead.

10. Sunglasses are essential. These are not just a fashion accessory but are necessary to keep your eyes from the UV radiation, a cause of cataracts.

Nana OKADA is the owner of Ocean Paradise, a specialist swimwear retailer in Singapore that has been retailing swimwear for women and children for over 15 years. Fashion, function and family are keywords behind the extensive collection of swimwear and accessories that number 80 brands from all over the world.

Over the years, the retailer has gained popularity with those in the know, who appreciate the range of fashion-forward swimwear and extensive sun protective collections. Ocean Paradise has developed into a highly respected name for the family and was awarded the Expat Living Reader Award in 2009.

http://www.oceanparadise.com.sg/

Original article

Skin Cancer and Lessons Learned About Kids' Swimwear

When you hit the stores to buy your kids' swimwear this season, there are a number of things you should keep in mind. Many parents don't give much thought to what kind of swimwear their children wear, let alone whether it provides any sun protection. However, as we learn more about the risk for skin cancer, parents are realizing the need to be educated about how to keep their children safe from the sun's harmful radiation.

Protective measures must start as soon as possible, preferably when your child is still a baby. Skin cancer rates are skyrocketing around the world, with one out of every 75 people in America being diagnosed with some type of skin cancer. In Australia, the rate is even higher, with one out of every 30 people receiving a skin cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives.

Many parents make the mistake of thinking that skin cancer is only a problem for older people or those who spend a lot of time in tanning beds, but if you don't take sun protective measures while your children are still young, you're drastically increasing their risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Studies show that skin cancer risk is directly related to how many sunburns you receive during childhood.

The best way to protect your children against cancer later in life is by purchasing sun protective swimwear. You'll know if a suit offers any protection against the sun by checking out its UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor. Look for sun protective swimwear with a UPF of 50+, which is the highest possible rating and blocks out at least 98 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays.

UPF swimwear is available for children of all ages, including babies. Remember that more skin coverage is always best when it comes to sun protection. Opting for swimwear and sun protective clothing that cover the shoulders and legs is the only way to reduce your children's risk of developing skin cancer at some point in their life.

Babies are especially prone to suffering sun damage because their skin is much thinner than adult skin, so remember to add a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with EPF 10 to your little one's outdoor sun attire. Also sunscreen is still a necessity, so remember to apply one with at least an SPF of 30 on the parts of the skin that are not covered by sun protective swimwear or clothing.

Gorgeous sun protective swimwear that appeals to the fashion savvy--being sun smart has never looked this good!

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