Prolonged sun exposure and sunburns can increase the risk of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer prevention is important and it begins with limited exposure to the sun. Even one serious sunburn before adulthood and can be enough to increase your likelihood of getting this disease, so carefully monitoring UV exposure is important.
May is skin cancer awareness month, so this is a good month to review safety precautions when it comes to the sun. This is especially important in Hollywood, Miami, and all of southern Florida, where the sun’s rays are especially intense and where more residents and visitors spend a lot of time outdoors.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to reduce your cancer risk:
- Stay out of the sun. The sun is at its strongest between the hours of ten and three, so avoid spending time outdoors during these hours. Avoid laying out in the sun for prolonged periods at any time.
- Cover up when you are out in the sun. Wear a high-quality broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF and cover up with sunglasses, hat, and thin but long sleeves. Reply sunscreen regularly, especially if you are in the water.
- Help others to stay sun safe. Small children need to be reminded to apply sunscreen and to come in out of the sun. Seniors, too, need help to ensure they reapply sunscreen and aren’t left alone outside where they can sustain a sunburn. Those who have limited mobility, especially, may have a hard time getting to shade even if they are getting a sunburn.
- Be especially cautious around the water. The water can reflect the rays and can make the risk of a sunburn that much greater. If you are in the water, use water-proof sunscreen and reapply regularly.
- Know your risk of skin cancer. If you have had multiple sunburns in your life or if there is a family history of the disease, be extra vigilant. Check your body for unusual growths or moles which are irregular in shape, size, or color or seem suspicious in any way. If you have a history of skin cancer in the family, it is also a good idea to visit a doctor or dermatologist yearly for a mole and skin check.
- Be cautious about other sources of exposure. Tanning salons, tanning booths, and even the UV machines at nail salons can all increase your exposure to ultraviolet rays and may increase the risk of skin cancer. Limit your exposure to these sources of UV as well. Keep in mind that even if you are indoors or in the car if you’re in front of a window the sun’s rays may be reaching you and you may need sunscreen to stay safe.
If you have been exposed to cancer due to someone’s negligence or due to faulty tanning booths or other devices or if you have been misdiagnosed or have been affected by medical malpractice during cancer treatment, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation with our Hollywood personal injury attorneys to review your options.