Sun Safety Having fun in the sun while protecting yourself REC
Sun Safety • Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays threatens human health • Children are highly susceptible to harmful UV radiation, since 80 % of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. • Just one or two blistering sunburns in childhood may double the risk of developing melanoma. REC
Positive UV effects: Warmth Light Photosynthesis in plants Vitamin D synthesis in body Mood elevation Kills pathogens UV radiation has both positive and negative effects REC
UV radiation has both positive and negative effects • Negative UV effects: • Overexposure to UV radiation is the primary environmental risk factor for: • Diseases of the eye • Immune suppression • Skin cancers • Photoaging REC
Skin cancer facts • According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. • One American dies every hour from skin cancer. • One million new cases of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma will have been detected this year. REC
Skin cancer facts • 42,000 new cases of malignant melanoma will have been diagnosed. • Skin cancer will have claimed 9,200 lives, 7,300 of these from melanoma and 1,900 from other skin cancers. REC
Eye Damage from UV Radiation • Increased risk of cataracts • “Burning” of the eye surface, called “snow blindness” or photokeratitis • UV damage to the eyes is cumulative REC
Photoaging • Chronic overexposure to the sun changes the texture and weakens the elastic properties of the skin. • Leathery and wrinkled skin results. REC
Photoaging • Sun-induced damage causes wrinkles, furrows, easy bruising, brown or “liver spots,” precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. • Photoaging is also a cumulative process. REC
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Immune System Suppression • Sunburns can alter the distribution and function of disease-fighting white blood cells in humans for up to 24 hours after exposure. • Repeated exposure can cause more damage to the body’s immune system. REC
Immune System Suppression • Mild sunburns can directly suppress the immune functions of human skin where the sunburn occurred, even in people with dark skin. REC
Effects of Exposure to UV Radiation • Sunburn • Tanning • Prematurely aged skin (including wrinkles and loss of elasticity) • Actinic keratosis • Skin cancer(s) • Cataracts • Immune system suppression REC
Skin Cancer Facts • Since 1973, the rate of new melanomas diagnosed per year has doubled from 6 new cases per 100,000 population to 12. • Melanoma is the most common cancer for women ages 25-29 and the second most common cancer for women age 30-34 • When melanoma is caught early, it is almost 100% curable. REC
Skin Cancer Facts • Every year, more than 1,000,000 people get skin cancer. • Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers: • One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in his or her lifetime. • One American develops skin cancer every 30 seconds. • Skin cancer kills one American every hour! REC
Types of Skin Cancers • Basal Cell Carcinoma ( 75% ) • Most common type • Grows slowly and rarely spreads • Appears as a pink or white pearly bump or an irritated patch that may bleed and crust over REC
Basal Cell Carcinoma REC
Types of Skin Cancers • Squamous Cell Carcinoma • More dangerous than basal cell • Appears as pink bump or scaly patch with an open sore in the center. REC
Squamous Cell Carcinoma REC
Types of Skin Cancers • Melanoma REC
Melanoma REC
Skin Cancer Facts • There is now a 1-in-84 lifetime risk of developing melanoma in the U.S. population -- an 1800% increase since 1930, according to research reported by Dr. Darrell S. Rigel of the New York University School of Medicine. • Most of the sun damage that leads to melanoma occurs before age 18. REC
UVB: penetrates into epidermis - 90% is absorbed in the first 0.03 mm can be blocked by paper, opaque plastic, cloth and glass Thickens upper skin layer UVA: Penetrates into dermis - 37% penetrates to 0.06 mm Can be blocked by paper, opaque plastic, cloth Penetrates glass Increases melanin in skin UVA Vs. UVB Radiation REC
Ultraviolet Radiation • Two main types of UV radiation reach the earth, UVA and UVB. • There are no safe UV rays. • Tanning booths emit mainly UVA radiation, but also some UVB. Older tanning devices emitted UVB. • While both UVA and UVB contribute to skin damage, UVA has links to malignant melanoma; UVB more likely to cause burns. REC
Ultraviolet Radiation • UVB rays have shorter wavelength and burn outer layers of the skin. • UVA rays have longer wavelength and penetrate deeper into the skin. • Both types of radiation may cause skin cancers. REC
Ultraviolet Radiation and Tanning Devices • Emit 2 to 3 times the amount of UVA in natural sunlight • An average 15 to 30 minute visit exposes a person to the same amount of UVA he/she would get in a day at the beach. • At least 1,000,000 Americans (on average) visit tanning salons each day. REC
Ultraviolet Radiation and Tanning Devices • A new Swedish study concluded that the use of tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma. Chances of later development of melanoma increased by 300% in occasional tanning bed users. For those using tanning beds more than 10 times per year, risk of melanoma increased by an astounding 800%. The increased risk was greatest if subjects were under the age of 30. REC
Ultraviolet Radiation and Tanning Devices • The American Academy of Dermatology has flatly stated there are no known beneficial effects of tanning booths to health. • As a corollary, the American Academy of Dermatology believes there is no such thing as a “healthy” tan. REC
ACS says the risks associated with UV exposure increases if you: • Have a family history of skin cancer • Have freckles and burn before tanning • Spend a lot of time outdoors • Have fair skin; or blonde, red, or light brown hair REC
ACS says the risks associated with UV exposure increases if you: • Were previously treated for skin cancer • Live or vacation at high altitudes • Have lots of moles, irregular moles, or large moles • Have certain diseases, such as lupus erythematosus • Take certain medications REC
Limiting Exposure to UV Radiation (ACS) • Limit direct sun exposure during midday (10 AM – 3 PM) • Cover up • Wear a hat • Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher • Infants under six months of age should be kept out of direct sun and covered by protective clothing. REC
Limiting Exposure to UV Radiation (ACS) • Apply sunscreen/sunblock about 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply frequently – every 1 to 1 ½ hours, even on cloudy days, more often if swimming or heavily perspiring • Wear sunglasses that block UV rays • Be especially careful around water, snow and at high altitudes • Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths REC
Australia’s “Slip, Slap, Slop” Program • “Slip” on a shirt • “Slap” on a hat • “Slop” on sunscreen • “Slip, Slap, Slop” is a national program in Australia, equivalent in size, scope and importance to U.S.A.’s cancer or anti-smoking campaigns. REC
Barriers to Behavior Change • Most people are aware of health risks, but want to tan anyway, either in the sun or a tanning salon -- or both. Why? • Feel that it makes them look better. • Feel that it makes them feel better. REC
Barriers to Behavior Change Feel a tan protects them (from burns). Feel that a tan improves their self-esteem. Feel that a tan gives them a “healthy” appearance. Peer influence Media influence REC
ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma • A is for Asymmetry: One-half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. • B is for Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. REC
ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma • C is for Color: The color is not the same all over, but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue. • D is for Diameter: The area is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger. REC
