Although 1 million new cases of skin cancer sounds like a lot, the truth is that skin cancer has been on the rise and more than 1 million cases are usually diagnosed in any given year. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer some time during their lifetime. Also, one’s risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns. As we begin the summer season here in Northern hemisphere, minimizing exposure to UV rays from the sun is the best way to prevent skin cancer. Here are some good rules of thumb:
* Protect your skin from the sun when you can – wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants; use parasols.
* Try to avoid exposure during midday, when the sun is most intense.
* Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen at least one-half hour before sun exposure, and reapply frequently.
* Apply sunscreen during winter months as well.
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.