In the summertime people parade around in shorts, sleeveless tops, and sundresses, proudly flaunting skin that runs the gamut from café au lait to caramel to bronze. And, admittedly, a tan does look good. It makes the body look better. It also makes clothes look better; after all, most colors, including black and white, are more flattering against a richly tanned backdrop. The reality, however, is that each time you expose your skin to ultraviolet rays, whether from the sun or a tanning bed, you are drastically increasing your likelihood of developing skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Facts
According to the American Cancer Society (2008), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, more than a million new cases are diagnosed each year, and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during his or her lifetime. Moreover, there are three main types of skin cancer:
- Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form in Caucasians, Hispanics, Chinese, and Japanese populations (Gloster & Neal, 2006);
- Squamous cell carcinoma, the most common form among African Americans and Asian Indians (Gloster & Neal, 2006);
- Melanoma, which accounts for approximately only three percent of casesyet causes more than 75 percent of skin-cancer related deaths (National Center, 2008); and while melanoma is rare in African Americans, Latinos, and Asians, the fatality rate is often higher among these populations than Caucasians (Crest & Holly, 1998).
Warning Signs
According to the American Cancer Society (2008), there are six main warning signs that people should heed:
- The appearance of new skin growths that are pearly, translucent, brown, black, or multicolored;
- Moles, beauty marks, or birthmarks that increase in size;
- Moles, beauty marks, or birthmarks that change shape, texture, or color;
- Moles, beauty marks, or birthmarks that begin to bleed;
- Open sores that do not heal within three weeks;
- Spots that begin to itch or hurt, become scabby, or crust over for no known reason, such as injury or exposure to an allergen.
Preventing Skin Cancer
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to avoid exposure to UV radiation. Yet, while it’s easy to eschew tanning beds, staying indoors and avoiding sunlight all together is hardly practical. Besides, controlled exposure to the sun is actually beneficial to both the human body (Vitamin D production) and the human psyche (increased sense of well-being). There are, however, certain precautions that you can take in order to enjoy the sun yet reduce your chances of developing skin cancer:
- When outdoors, seek the shade between 10 AM and 4 PM (This is when the sun’s UV rays are most intense);
- Stay out of tanning beds;
- Avoid getting sunburned;
- Wear sunglasses with UV-protective lenses and a broad-brimmed hat;
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher 30 minutes before exposing your skin to the sun and reapply it frequently, especially if you are swimming or sweating profusely;
- Examine your entire body each month and look for new skin growths or changes in previously existing growths;
- Have a checkup each year by a qualified dermatologist.
Additional Risks of Tanning
Skin cancer is not the only risk associated with exposure to UV radiation. You are also aging your skin prematurely since tanning leads to increased wrinkling, loss of skin elasticity, age spots, and keratoses (rough, scaly patches). Additionally, exposure to UV radiation increases the chance of cataracts and other diseases of the eyes and can suppress the immune system (American Cancer Society, 2008). And these risks, combined with the threat of skin cancer, should be enough to make anyone scamper for the shade, slather on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.
American Cancer Society (2008). Cancer Facts & Figures 2008. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; retrieved June 1, 2009.
Cress, R. & Holly, E (1997) Incidence of cutaneous melanoma among non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics, Asians, and blacks: an analysis of California cancer registry data, 1988-93. Cancer Causes Control; 8:246-52.
Gloster, H. & Neal, K. (2006) Skin cancer in skin of color. J Am Acad Dermatol; 55:741-60.
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (2008). The burden of skin cancer; retrieved June 1, 2009.
