With summer here again, it’s a good time to review the importance of protecting yourself and loved ones from the sun’s harmful rays, particularly if you (or they) are undergoing cancer treatment.
As most people are now aware, ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause a variety of skin cancers—the most common form of cancer in the United States. In fact, one in five Americans and one in three Caucasians will develop skin cancer in the course of their lives. The good news is that more than 90 percent of all skin cancers are preventable, and with early detection and proper treatment, the survival rate for people with skin cancer is approximately 99 percent.
The American Cancer Society emphasizes the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. Here are some simple things you can do to minimize harmful overexposure. Seek shade whenever you are outdoors, especially during the hottest time of day. Cover yourself as much as possible with clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats, and sunglasses that are designed to block UV rays. Most important, use frequent applications of an effective sunscreen, with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 30 or greater, especially when you are at the beach or outdoors for long periods of time.
Many people think that having a suntan will help protect them from the sun’s damage, but this is not true. Exposure to the sun causes some skin cells to produce a pigment called melanin, which darkens the skin’s color. A tan is actually a sign that the skin has been damaged. For many people, repeating this kind of damage will eventually cause wrinkles, blotches, sagging tissue, and can even lead to skin cancer.
Certain cancer treatments can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, a condition called photosensitivity. Patients with photosensitivity burn more easily when they are exposed to the sun, even for short periods of time. So, cancer patients should be especially cautious when spending time outside. Chemotherapy-related photosensitivity is temporary and usually subsides when treatment ends.
Radiation therapy, on the other hand, can cause changes to the skin that increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer indefinitely. Cancer patients who have undergone radiation therapy should continue to be careful about sun exposure to the areas of skin that received radiation, even if their radiation therapy occurred years ago.
The journey through cancer, while often extremely challenging, can also be an opportunity to focus on the simple pleasures of life. Spending time outdoors, in nature, is certainly—for many people—one of life’s great joys. By taking the simple precautions listed above, you and your loved ones can enjoy the summer sunshine safely.
Posted
Jul 06 2007, 08:31 AM
by
DrJeremyGeffen