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Are You Safe from Skin Cancer?
Add up the points below to assess your skin cancer risk.
Hair Color:
blonde/red - 4
brown - 3
black - 1
Eye Color:
blue/green - 4
hazel - 3
brown - 2
After one hour in the sun, you:
burn, maybe blister - 4
burn, then tan - 3
tan - 1
Freckles:
many - 5
some - 3
none - 1
Your job is:
outdoors - 4
mixed - 3
indoors - 2
Do you have a family member who has had skin cancer:
yes - 5
no - 1
Before age 18, you lived in Europe or USA in the:
South - 4
Midwest - 3
North - 2
Your Score
10 - 15
you have below average risk
16 - 22
you have average risk
23 - 25
you have high risk
26 - 30
you have a very high risk of developing skin cancer at some point. You should cover up.
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These Tips can literally Save Your Skin
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- Avoid the midday sun when the sun's UV rays are strongest.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes, ears, face and the
back of your neck, these areas are prone to overexposure to the sun.
- Wear sunglasses to reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts
and other eye damage.
- Wear sun safe swimwear in dark colors with long sleeves and long pants if possible.
A white T-shirt is insufficient as it only has a UPF of about 8 when dry,
a bit more protection if the fabric is dyed or is thicker.
A wet, light-colored shirt transmits nearly as much light to your skin as bare skin!
Wet clothing allows up to 50% more transmission of UV radiation
If you can see the skin, so can the sun.
- Use sunscreen before you go out, and reapply every two hours if
you've been perspiring or swimming. Even waterproof sunscreens can
come off when you towel off sweat or water.
Be aware that children under six months of age should never have sunscreen applied to
their skin; they can be protected by avoiding time outdoors.
- Pay attention to the UV Index, which provides a forecast of the
expected risk of overexposure to the sun and indicates the degree
of caution you should take when working, playing or exercising outdoors.
The UV Index predicts exposure levels on a scale of 0
to 10+. A 0 indicates a low risk of overexposure; 10+ means a very
high risk of overexposure.
- UVA vs. UVB Rays:
UVA's longer-wavelength rays can damage the
skin's connective tissue, leading to premature aging as well as
play a role in causing skin cancer. UVA rays also increase the risk
of cataracts and retinal damage and are the type used in tanning
salons. UVB radiation has shorter wavelengths and is primarily responsible
for sunburn and skin cancer.
Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure depends on:
- How long you're in the sun.
The longer you are out in the sun, the more UV you receive.
- What you are wearing.
Most summer clothes often expose more skin to UV and don't provide adequate protection.
A dark hooded garment protects you from UV rays even when wet.
- Where you are.
UV is strongest at the equator and gets weaker as you go toward the earth's poles.
- Time of day. UV is greatest at midday when the sun is high (between 10am - 4pm).
- Season: Spring and summer have the highest intensity,
but it is important to use sunscreen year-round.
- Altitude: UV radiation increases 4% per 1000 feet elevation. Therefore,
at 5000 feet (most ski resorts) there is 20% more UV radiation than
at sea level.
- Cloud Cover. Up to 80% of the sun's rays can penetrate puffy, light cloud, mist, haze and fog.
- Reflection: Reflected UV radiation is as damaging as direct UV
radiation:
- Sand/concrete reflects 25% of UV radiation
- Water reflects up to 80% of UV radiation.
- Snow reflects 85% of UV radiation.
- Protection: It is your best bet to reduce your risk of skin cancer and photoaging.
Cover up and look good for life.
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