July Work/Life Line: Are you being safe in the sun?

07/25/11

More than one million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Skin cancer is one of the most easily treated forms of cancer if caught in its early stages.  Unprotected sun exposure and UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.  Over exposure to UV rays can also cause cataracts, eye damage, premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.

Who is at Risk?

It is important to remember that skin cancer can affect anyone.  While people with fair complexions are at a greater risk for skin cancer, people of all races and ethnicities can develop skin cancer.

Risk Factors include:

• Exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds
• A family history of skin cancer.
• Personal history of cancer
• Having multiple or atypical moles
• Severe childhood sunburns
• Individuals with a fair complexion

Symptoms

Warning signs you should look out for include moles/new marks on your skin that are:

• Asymmetric: One half unlike the other
• Border: Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined
• Varied color
• Large in diameter: Larger than 6 mm (a pencil eraser)
• Elevated

Sun Safety Tips

• Use sunscreen of at least SPF 15. This provides a broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply every two hours.
• Wear protective clothing
• Seek shade. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Avoid Tanning Beds
• Apply extra sun screen when near water, snow and sand.  They reflect harmful UV rays and increase your exposure.
• Check the UV, heat and air quality index
• Drink lots of water.
• Practice sun safety all year long, not just during the summer.

This information was provided by Sun Safety Alliance. For more information please visit:  http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Alison Bowman in Human Resources at abowman@ithaca.edu or x4-8000. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Sun Safety Lunch and Learn on Thursday, July 28th from 11:30- 12:30pm in the Peggy R. Williams Center, HR Conference Room G-52. RSVPs are appreciated to 4-8000 or e-mail benefits@ithaca.edu.

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