#Middlebury #Southbury
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and the Pomperaug District Department of Health (PDDH) reminds people it’s important to protect themselves from ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and other sources of UV rays such as tanning beds. Overexposure to UV rays can increase the risk of getting skin cancer, which one in five Americans will develop in their lifetime.
Early detection of skin cancer is critical for a good outcome. With this in mind, the PDDH will sponsor a skin cancer screening Wednesday, May 25, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at its office at 77 Main St. N., Suite 205, in Southbury. The free screening is meant for people who are not under the care of a dermatologist or who have not had their skin examined. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the district at 203-264-9616, ext. 0.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates 76,380 new cases of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2016. The majority of people diagnosed with melanoma are men over 50. However, melanoma is the most common cancer in young adults age 25 to 29.
The vast majority of melanomas are caused by the sun. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns. If melanoma is recognized and treated early, the five-year survival rate is about 98 percent. But if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. The five-year survival rate when melanoma spreads to distant organs is about 17 percent.
Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are other types of skin cancer. They develop on sun-exposed areas of the body like the face, ears, neck, lips and backs of hands. They can be fast or slow growing and rarely spread to other parts of the body. A cure is highly likely if they are caught early. Basal cell carcinoma is rarely fatal, but can be very disfiguring. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have one or the other skin cancer at least once.
Sun Safety Tips
Seek shade, especially during the mid-day hours when UV rays are at their strongest. Move under a tree or use an umbrella or canopy.
Rub on sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30. Use at least one ounce – an amount about equal to the size of your palm or enough to fill a shot glass. Apply the sunscreen every time you go outside, even on cloudy days, and apply it about 30 minutes before going outside. Don’t forget to put it on your ears, nose, lips and the tops of your feet. Reapply it generously and frequently, especially after swimming or excessive sweating. Look for sunscreens that protect against UVA and UVB rays.
Wear sunglasses to help protect against getting cataracts later in life. Choose sunglasses that block as close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
Wear clothing that covers the skin. Long-sleeve t-shirts and pants with a tight-woven knit are best. If it’s too hot, a t-shirt and long shorts are good, especially if you also wear sunscreen and try to stay in the shade as much as possible.
Wear a hat that shades the face, scalp, ears and the back of the neck. Baseball caps offer protection for the scalp and face, but sunscreen should be applied to the ears and neck.
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