(June 1, 2009)  It’s summer and Oklahomans are flocking to area lakes and pools. Before you head outside for some fun in the sun, health experts want you to think about the damaging and dangerous effects of too much sun exposure.

“It’s a fact. Overexposure to the sun can result in skin cancer later in life,” said Louise Easter, RN, CNO. “Skin cancer is by far the most common form of cancer in the world. Just one blistering sunburn can double a child’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. More than 1.2 million new cases of new skin cancer are diagnosed each year in this country. Yet, skin cancer is highly preventable and curable - with early detection.”

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, and accounts for nearly three-fourths of skin cancer deaths. Skin cancer tends to strike people with light skin color. An estimated 40 – 50% of fair-skinned people who live to be 65 will develop at least one skin cancer.

On days when the UV index is very high, serious sunburn can occur in just 10 minutes. The UV index (ultraviolet ray index) is used to forecast the amount of skin-damaging UV radiation expected to reach the earth’s surface when the sun is highest in the sky. The sun’s position, as well as the altitude, cloud cover and ozone data all factor into each location’s daily UV index.

“You can sunburn even on a cloudy day,” Mrs. Easter continued. “Concrete, sand and water can reflect up to 90% of the sun’s UV rays. And, depletion of the earth’s ozone layer further increases your exposure to UV rays.”

Health experts encourage the use of sun protection any time you will be outside:

• Stay out of the sun during peak UV hours: 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• If you must be outside, seek shade. Limit even this exposure since you are still exposed to reflective light.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Tightly woven garments allow the least amount of UV penetration; dark colors reflect UV rays better.
• Keep children six-months-old or less out of the sun entirely.
• Do not use tanning beds.
• Use sunscreen correctly and regularly. (Limit sun exposure even with sunscreen.)
• Use sunscreen regardless of your skin tone – fair or dark. Don’t assume you can skip the sunscreen if you or your children have darker skin or a tan.
• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 any time you will be outside for 20 minutes or more. (For children, an SPF of at least 30 is recommended.)
• Apply liberally to dry skin 15 – 30 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every two hours. If you swim, get wet, sweat profusely or towel off, apply even more frequently.
• Use enough sunscreen. The average adult needs an ounce (enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass) for each application in order to provide adequate coverage.
• Don’t skip the sunscreen on cloudy days. Eighty percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds.
• Use sunscreen year-round.
• Use lip balm or cream with a sun protection factor (SPF)

“Teach your children the importance of sun protection,” Mrs. Easter concluded. “On average, children get three times the sun exposure of adults. In fact, most of our lifetime sun exposure takes place before the age of 18. Don’t consider a tan a good form of sun protection. The amount of sun exposure needed to get a tan can cause skin damage by itself. And, if you have a suspicious lesion or mole, report it to your doctor at once.”