Skin Care Savvy

Millions of Americans bask in the summer sun in search of the perfect tan. But tan skin is not healthy skin, its damaged skin. The suns ultraviolet (UV) rays have been linked to skin cancer and wrinkling. More than one million Americans develop skin cancer each year and those numbers are climbing. Fortunately, this form of cancer is the most easy to detect, cure and prevent.

Use this guide to help you:

Determine your risk factors for developing skin cancer.

Learn ways to protect yourself from the suns damaging rays.

Learn how to examine your skin for changes.

Take this quiz to test your knowledge of skin health:

A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 10 will fully block the suns damaging rays.

Only UVB rays are damaging to my skin.

If I have a mole that develops uneven color, I should call my doctor.

I only need to apply waterproof sunscreen once a day.

There is little risk for skin cancer if I only go out in the sun on weekends.

Your skin protects your body against heat, light, infection and injury. Skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer, is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the outer layers of your skin.

There are several types of skin cancer. Each is named by the type of skin cell in which it occurs.

Basal cell cancer often appears as a small raised bump with a smooth, pearly appearance, or as a scar-like lesion with raised edges.

Squamous cell cancer may appear as a nodule or as a red, scaly patch. It may bleed or develop a crust and is typically found on the rim of the ear, the face or the lips and mouth. It can also appear on areas of your skin that have been burned, exposed to chemicals or have had X-ray therapy.

Melanoma occurs within the melanocytes, the skin cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its natural color. When exposed to the sun, these cells rush to produce more melanin to protect the skin from further damage. Melanoma is much rarer than basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer and is also more serious. It may begin as a new spot on the skin, or it can start in or next to an existing mole or dark area on the skin. It may itch, ooze or bleed, but it usually does not hurt.

Skin cancer can occur anywhere on your body but is most commonly found on places that have been exposed to more sunlight your face, neck, hands and arms.

Overexposure to the sun in the form of its UV rays, the suns invisible burning rays, is a major cause of sunburns and skin cancer. There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin, injuring blood vessels and destroying underlying cells. UVB radiation tans your skin, causes sunburn and increases your risk of skin cancer. These damaging rays are only partially filtered by cloud cover. UVC rays, although the strongest and most dangerous, are normally filtered by the ozone layer and do not reach the earth. Harmful UV rays are more intense in the summer, at higher altitudes and closer to the equator.

Knowing your risks for skin cancer will help you know what steps you can take to protect yourself. Check the risk categories that apply to you.

Have lighter natural skin color

Have a history of skin cancer

Have a personal history of skin cancer

Have constant exposure to the sun through work and play

Have a history of sunburns early in life

Have skin that burns, freckles, gets red easily or becomes painful in the sun

Have blue or green eyes

Have blond or red hair

Have certain types and a large number of moles

Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2002. American Cancer Society.

Having these risk factors doesnt mean you will develop skin cancer, but if you checked more than one category, discuss your risks with your doctor.

Although overexposure to the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer, you can still enjoy being outdoors if you protect your skin from the suns damaging rays. Using sun protection will help prevent skin damage and reduce your risk of skin cancer. Take the following precautions to protect yourself while having fun in the sun.

With an SPF of 15 or higher
With both UVA and UVB protection
At least 30 minutes before going into the sun (Reapply every few hours, especially after swimming, bathing or heavy exercise.)
In generous amounts (Be sure to cover all areas of your skin that are exposed.)
Within two years of purchase (After two years, discard and replace it with a new container.)
With at least an SPF of 15 even when youve used a self-tanning product (Self-tanning products provide no sun protection.)

With loose, long-sleeved clothing and wide-brimmed hats (at least two inches)

Your lips, nose and other sensitive areas with an opaque sunblock, such as one containing zinc oxide, which blocks both UVA and UVB

By wearing sunglasses with at least 95 percent blockage of UVA and UVB for outdoor wear

Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Be aware of and use protection against reflected rays from sand, water, snow or light surfaces.

Avoid tanning centers and sunlamps.

Take extra precautions at high altitudes the suns radiation increases about 5 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea level.

Clouds and haze do not completely block UV light. Protection is still needed.

It has been estimated that the incidence of skin cancer could be reduced by 78 percent if exposed skin is protected during the first 18 years of life. Dont expose babies younger than 6 months to direct sunlight. For older children, always apply a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

Have you counted how many moles you have? Most people have 25 or more. Take time now to plot your moles so you can note any changes in the future. You may want to enlist a partner to help you. To do a full skin examination, you will need a full-length mirror, a hand mirror and a brightly lit room. Be sure to examine both the front and back of your body and the right and left sides, with your arms raised. Not all changes on your skin are cancer, but you should contact your doctor if you notice anything new.

Most normal moles are brown, tan or black spots. They may be flat or raised and usually have sharply defined borders. Most moles are harmless, but some can develop into cancer, so watch for changes. Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. Use the letters below to help you remember what may not be normal. Check your moles for:

Asymmetry one half does not match the other half

Border ragged, notched or blurred edges

Color uneven color tan, brown, black, red, white or blue

Diameter diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser

Source: The Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Academy of Dermatology

When it comes to protecting our health, goal-setting skills are the key to making positive changes we can live with. We can set ourselves up for success or failure depending on how we shape our goals. SMART goals are:

Specific. State what you plan to do and how you will do it.

Measurable. How will you know when you have achieved your goal?

Adequate. It must help you manage the problem effectively.

Realistic. It should be reasonable for you to achieve and maintain.

Timely. Decide on a time schedule that is specific but comfortable for you to sustain or achieve your goal.

You will work harder to reach your goal if it is something that you value.

Read each goal statement. Which goal is a SMART goal?

A. I will start using a sunscreen whenever I am outdoors.
B. I will examine my skin for changes and show them to my doctor.
C. Starting tomorrow, I will wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 whenever I am outdoors.
D. I will wear protective clothing at the beach.

Identify one change youd like to make to protect yourself against skin cancer. Write your goal in workable terms here:

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Plan how you will put your goal into action. List your first action step here (refer to Bright Ideas For Sun Protection for suggestions).

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Give yourself at least three weeks for each change you make to become a new habit. Remember that making small changes now can protect you and your loved ones from skin cancer for years to come!

Answers To True Or False:

1. False. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or greater.

2. False. UVA and UVB rays are both damaging to your skin. Most tanning salons use UVA bulbs, and studies have shown that UVA rays go deeper into the skin and contribute to premature wrinkling and skin cancer.

3. True. Any uneven color in a mole should be brought to the attention of your doctor. Be alert to changes in the number, size, shape and color of your moles.

4. False. All sunscreens, including water-resistant sunscreens, should be reapplied often about every two hours, or after swimming or exercising.

5. False. Bursts of sun on the weekends can increase the risks of skin cancer because your body has not had time to build up protection against the sun.