SkinCancerNet Article
Dermatologists Encourage Sports Fans to "Be Sun Smart^®"

The many hours spent in the midday sun cheering for a favorite athlete or team puts fans at risk for skin cancer, a potentially life-threatening condition that affects 1 in 5 Americans. Dermatologists say sports fans can still enjoy watching an outdoor sport. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma.^1,2 You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer by following the Be Sun Smart^® guidelines:

• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 or more to all exposed skin. "Broad-spectrum" provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.

• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.

• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don’t seek the sun.³

• Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

• Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

References:
¹ American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2010.
² Robinson, JK. Sun Exposure, Sun Protection and Vitamin D. JAMA 2005; 294: 1541-43.
³ Hemminki K, Dong C. Subsequent cancers after in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Arch Dermatol 2000;136:647-51.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology