Beach times are ahead. Surely it can't hurt to get a nice little base tan, right? Think again.
Melanoma has been increasing significantly in both men and women. It is one of the most common cancers in young adults; especially young women. One in 73 Canadian women will develop melanoma in her lifetime and one in 395 will die from it. Up until age 49, significantly more women develop melanoma than men (one in 206 women vs. one in 297 men).
We spoke with experts from the Save Your Skin Foundation & the Melanoma Network of Canada to learn how you can keep safe in the sun this summer.
MYTH #1: You can't get skin cancer if you don't use tanning beds.
While the risk of melanoma is 75% greater for people who use tanning beds before the age of 30, there are other factors that may increase your risk of skin cancer, including fair skin, a history of sunburns, excessive sun exposure, sunny or high-altitude climates, moles, precancerous skin lesions, family history of skin cancer, and exposure to radiation.
MYTH #2: Young people don't get skin cancer.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in Canadian men and women between the ages of 15-29. Sunburns are more common among young people, and a history of sunburns increases the risk of skin cancer.
In Canada, it is estimated that 27% of youth between 16-24 years of age use tanning beds. The most recent evidence examining the association of tanning beds and melanoma found a 59% increased risk of melanoma when tanning bed use started before the age of 35.
MYTH #3: Skin cancer is not as serious as other cancers, like breast or ovarian cancer.
It is important to remember that there are different types of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma). While most skin cancers can be cured if found and treated early, cancer that spreads beyond the surface of the skin to other organs can become severe and difficult to treat.
There need to be multiple options available when treating skin cancer, especially the deadliest form: melanoma. The good news is that there have been significant treatment advancements recently, providing new hope to Canadians living with melanoma.
MYTH #4: The best way to get vitamin D is through natural sunlight.
There is a limit to the amount of vitamin D from UVB radiation. For Caucasians, that limit is reached after just five to 10 minutes of midday sun exposure.
There are other ways to get vitamin D. It can be obtained from oily fish (like salmon, fresh tuna, trout and sardines) and cod liver oil, as well as from fortified orange juice and milk, yogurts and some cereals. Supplements are also readily available.
Best practices to prevent skin cancer:
Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning beds.
Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
The post The Four Deadly Skin Cancer Myths appeared first on Shedoesthecity.
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The Four Deadly Skin Cancer Myths http://ift.tt/1RLRlcP shedoesthecity
Beach times are ahead. Surely it can't hurt to get a nice little base tan, right? Think again.
Melanoma has been increasing significantly in both men and women. It is one of the most common cancers in young adults; especially young women. One in 73 Canadian women will develop melanoma in her lifetime and one in 395 will die from it. Up until age 49, significantly more women develop melanoma than men (one in 206 women vs. one in 297 men).
We spoke with experts from the Save Your Skin Foundation & the Melanoma Network of Canada to learn how you can keep safe in the sun this summer.
MYTH #1: You can't get skin cancer if you don't use tanning beds.
While the risk of melanoma is 75% greater for people who use tanning beds before the age of 30, there are other factors that may increase your risk of skin cancer, including fair skin, a history of sunburns, excessive sun exposure, sunny or high-altitude climates, moles, precancerous skin lesions, family history of skin cancer, and exposure to radiation.
MYTH #2: Young people don't get skin cancer.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in Canadian men and women between the ages of 15-29. Sunburns are more common among young people, and a history of sunburns increases the risk of skin cancer.
In Canada, it is estimated that 27% of youth between 16-24 years of age use tanning beds. The most recent evidence examining the association of tanning beds and melanoma found a 59% increased risk of melanoma when tanning bed use started before the age of 35.
MYTH #3: Skin cancer is not as serious as other cancers, like breast or ovarian cancer.
It is important to remember that there are different types of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma). While most skin cancers can be cured if found and treated early, cancer that spreads beyond the surface of the skin to other organs can become severe and difficult to treat.
There need to be multiple options available when treating skin cancer, especially the deadliest form: melanoma. The good news is that there have been significant treatment advancements recently, providing new hope to Canadians living with melanoma.
MYTH #4: The best way to get vitamin D is through natural sunlight.
There is a limit to the amount of vitamin D from UVB radiation. For Caucasians, that limit is reached after just five to 10 minutes of midday sun exposure.
There are other ways to get vitamin D. It can be obtained from oily fish (like salmon, fresh tuna, trout and sardines) and cod liver oil, as well as from fortified orange juice and milk, yogurts and some cereals. Supplements are also readily available.
Best practices to prevent skin cancer:
Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning beds.
Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
The post The Four Deadly Skin Cancer Myths appeared first on Shedoesthecity.