Summer is coming! The return of the feelings of comfort: warm air and radiant days. The pool and beach are a daily requirement. And...constant sun exposure. Yes, that's right. Even though you are enjoying summer break, you have to be cautious about your skin. This blog will inform you to do just that, so you can live in the moment of your golden days.
Skin cancer has a lifetime risk nearly equivalent to that of all cancers combined. Yes--combined! It's a fact that this cancer is more prominent in later ages (60+), however, skin damage can start as early as your birth. It's more common in caucasians as they have less of the protective pigment called melanin. There are three different types of skin cancers: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma ranked by their severities respectively. BCC's and SCC's are epithelial skin cancers meaning they form around the exterior skin cells. This also means they are the dominant types. In 1994, more than 1 million cases were treated in the USA. It is a rare case to develop melanoma. About 1 out of 50 people of European descent get this cancer. Melanoma starts in the melanocytes. These are the cells that produce melanin. As more melanin is produced, sometimes melanocytes clot and create moles. Some nevi are benign, but at times they can grow bigger in size, shade darker, and change shape. Doctors call these abnormal moles dysplastic. A few number of these dysplastic moles can be cancerous, so it's always recommended to consult with your doctor early on.
Even though non-melanoma cancers are easy to treat, an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 Americans die each year from this type. About 68,700 Americans were diagnosed with melanoma in 2009, and that same year 8,650 people died from it. Yes, these statistics may seem a little scary at first. But always remember, you can prevent skin cancer through sun protection! Sunscreen is a MUST. Dermatologists recommend an SPF of at least 30+ for MINIMAL protection. You should make it a priority to reapply your sunscreen every 1-2 hours. Remember to moisturize your skin with regular lotion first to prevent dry skin. Some dermatologist-recommended brands include Cetaphil, CeraVe, La-Roche Posay, EltaMD, etc. Some extra protection include sunglasses and hats. Recall that your scalp is a part of the integumentary system as well. A beneficial tip would be to cover your skin as much as possible, especially in the summer. Leggings, light long sleeves, socks, etc. are all beneficial.
Okay, lastly, I wanted to discuss tanning beds. Most people think that this artificial UV light is not as threatening as sunlight. However, it can be as (and in some cases, MORE) dangerous. Many adolescents in the recent years have been piling up in front of tanning salons little aware to the harmful side effects. Recent epidemiologic studies have shown a link between tanning devices and melanoma. 97% of women diagnosed with melanoma, used tanning beds before the age of 30.
Overwhelmed, yet? You don't have to be! A simple habit of protecting yourself against sunlight can be emphasized. In this way, you can avoid any harm or hassle in the near future. Remember, even though a nice bronze look to your skin may be tempting, think long term.
Vocabulary:
I will provide a short description of the italicized words above to get a better understanding.
caucasians: People who are of European descent and have lighter skin tones.
melanin: A natural pigment that gives color and protects against UV rays.
epithelial: Related to cells that cover body surfaces and line organs.
nevi: A scientific terms for moles.
benign: Not harmful or cancerous.
integumentary system: The body system that includes the skin, hair, and nails. It protects the body from the outside environment.
epidemiologic: Related to the study of how diseases spread and affect populations.
Wrapping Up:
As we wrap up this blog, an extra reminder to enforce sunscreen into your daily skincare routine. You will thank me later. Please feel free to email me through my website if you have any questions. You can also share some health topics you are curious about to provide me with some blog ideas. Subscribe to my blog to be updated on more posts + blogs to come! Thank you!
xoxo,
Haley 💗
Sources:
Marks, Robin. "An overview of skin cancers." Cancer 75.S2 (1995): 607-612.
Connie Goldsmith. Skin Cancer. Twenty-First Century Books ™, 2011. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b83ac4f3-fea1-3bff-8f8b-72494b149608.
Green, Adele, et al. "Sun exposure, skin cancers and related skin conditions." Journal of epidemiology 9.6sup (1999): 7-13.
Ting, William, et al. "Tanning bed exposure increases the risk of malignant melanoma." International journal of dermatology 46.12 (2007): 1253-1257.
“Tanning Bed Dangers.” Index, www.advancedderm.net/tanning-beds-tanning-booths/#:~:text=Tanning%20beds%20can%20increase%20your,repeated%20exposure%20to%20UV%20radiation. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Le Clair, Marie Z., and Myles G. Cockburn. "Tanning bed use and melanoma: Establishing risk and improving prevention interventions." Preventive medicine reports 3 (2016): 139-144.
