Summer's hidden danger

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristin High
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Summer is quickly approaching and Team Barksdale members can be found preparing for the many outdoor activities that come with it.

However, the bright star that provides warmth and energy can be problematic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, too much exposure to ultraviolet rays can change skin texture, cause the skin to age prematurely, and can lead to skin cancer.

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are highly curable. However, melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous.

Risk factors to look out for are fair skin color, personal history of skin cancer, family history of melanoma, sun exposure through work and play, history of sunburns early in life, skin that burns or reddens easily, blue or green eyes, and naturally blond or red hair.

The CDC reports hours between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. are most hazardous for UV exposure outdoors in the U.S. UV rays from sunlight are greatest during late spring and early summer in North America.

Some preventative measures suggested by the National Cancer Institute are to avoid outdoor activities during the middle of the day, wear long sleeves and long pants, wear a hat with a wide brim that shades your face, neck and ears, and wear sunglasses that absorb UV radiation to protect the skin around your eyes.

When choosing a sunscreen lotion, the CDC recommends using one with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of at least 15. It should be reapplied every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

"Team Barksdale members with fair skin or those prone to sun burns should buy sunblock instead of sunscreen," said Lt. Col. Imelda Reedy, 2nd Medical Operations Squadron Family Health and Clinical Readiness flight commander. "Sunscreen can take up to an hour to begin to work, whereas sunblock will help immediately."

Additionally, UV rays can still go through clouds on hot days, so it's still important to protect yourself from exposure to them, she added.

The CDC and NCI also recommend not using sun lamps or tanning booths.

The NCI reports that women who use tanning beds more than once a month are 55 percent more likely to develop melanoma. Indoor tanning has even been linked to ocular melanoma, or cancer of the eye.

For more information about the dangers of UV rays and skin cancer, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov or the National Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov.