July is UV Safety Month. Most skin cancers (most commonly Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma) are caused by excessive exposure to UV light without proper protection.
While exposure to UV rays is high during the summer months, protection is important throughout the rest of the year as well. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of many surfaces such as water, snow, sand and cement.
How can you protect yourself?
- Wear Sunscreen:
- Check that the sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB, has an SPF factor of 15 at the minimum, and is water-resistant.
- Make sure to re-apply your sunscreen regularly to ensure you are adequately and consistently protected when exposed to UV radiation
- Wear a hat:
- Sunburns can occur on your scalp. Wearing a hat will prevent this.
- Hats with a wide brim can also be effective at protecting the face and neck.
- Seek shade whenever possible.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing when possible, particularly during arduous out-door activities.
- Appropriate clothing can provide suitable UV protection during outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, gardening, etc., even during the summer
- Wear sunglasses:
- In particular, ones that block or absorb UV rays, as research shows that being in the sun for extended periods without eye protection can increase your risk of developing certain eye diseases or cancers.
- Check the label to see if your sunglasses absorb UVA and UVB rays.
- Labels stating ‘UV absorption up to 400 nm’ block 99% of UVA and UVB rays, whereas labels stating ‘cosmetic’ will only block up to 70%