healthy you:
Have Sun Sense!
by Kim Jones, cary medical center
Ah, summer…
Swimming on a hot afternoon
Lounging on the deck with a good book
Watching a Little League game
Hosting a BBQ for family and friends
Working in the garden
There’s nearly an endless number of ways to have
fun on a sunny afternoon; many of which offer excellent
health benefits. But Cary Medical Center’s Healthy You
team wants to remind you that safely enjoying outside
activities includes a good dose of sun sense.
Sun exposure is a significant risk factor in the
development of skin cancer, the most common form of
human cancer. In fact, it has been estimated that nearly
half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin
cancer at least once. Fortunately, there are some simple
steps you can take to minimize your risks:
Don’t be fooled by clouds. The sun can be
damaging even on a cool or overcast day. Clouds
do not filter out harmful UV rays, so it’s possible
to get a sunburn even when you don’t feel the sun’s
heat. (You can even get a sunburn in the winter!)
Slather on the sunscreen. For optimum
protection, choose products that have an SPF of 30
or more and that are labeled for broad-spectrum
protection (blocks both ultraviolet A and
ultraviolet B rays). Apply the lotion 30 minutes
before going outside and then again every two to
three hours spent in the sun.
Avoid prolonged exposure when the sun is at
its strongest. In the northern hemisphere,