Skin Cancer
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually. (1)
- Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. More than 250,000 cases are diagnosed each year, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths each year. (5)
- One in 5 Americans and one in 3 Caucasians will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. (3)
- More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure.
- A person's risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns. (2)
UVA/UVB radiation
What is radiation?
The sun gives off ultraviolet radiation that
is divided into categories based on the
Wavelength.
- UVC - 100 to 290 nm*
- UVB - 290 to 320 nm
- UVA - 320 to 400 nm
UVA
- UVA was once thought to have a minor effect on skin damage, but now studies are showing that UVA is a major contributor to skin damage. UVA is a high-energy wave that penetrates deeper into the skin to do its damage.
- The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year.
- UVA is not filtered by glass.
- UV-A can be further subdivided into UV-A I, or far UV-A (340-400 nm), and UV-A II, or near UV-A (320-340 nm).
UVB
- UVB affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns. It is the most intense between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm when the sunlight is brightest.
- It is more intense in the summer months accounting for 70% of a person's yearly UVB dose.
- UVB does not penetrate glass.
Prevention Tips
- Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
- Do not burn.
- Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
- Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
- Whenever possible, cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
- Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
- See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
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