Having too fun much in the Sun?

Written by Bruno Hirano

Summer time is about to start.  It’s time for vacation, fun, and forgetting about all the preoccupations related to school!  It’s great to have the opportunity of having the sun all day – especially living in a city like Seattle.

Options of what to do for the summer time are really exciting. “Swimming, tanning, shopping”, suggested junior Malee Ha. Spending time on the lake, beach or any other refreshing activities are definitely some of the best options. You’re not just refreshing yourself but you also have a lot of fun.

Sun means fun, but also requires care. Senior Ian Ramsey admits that he doesn’t protect himself from the sun. Like him, a lot of people don’t care about protecting themselves against the sun. It’s not just about a little red sunburn on your face, it’s also about what this can be developed into: skin cancer. 

The rate of being diagnosed with skin cancer has been increasing and the American Cancer Society predicts more than a million new diagnoses this year alone. It’s also the most common type of cancer in USA. It makes up more than 40% of all cases. It’s closely associated with chronic inflammation of the skin, caused mostly by sunburn or excessive sun damage.

The level of UV (ultraviolet rays) light today is higher than it was a hundred years ago caused by reduction of the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere.  Skin cancer is related to the high amount of UVA (ultraviolet-A rays) and UVB (ultraviolet-B rays) that damages DNA. Sun exposure between 10A.M. and 4P.M. is thought to be the most harmful, so try to avoid staying in the sun for a long time during this period. Artificial UV exposure (in tanning salons) is considered dangerous as well.

Preventing the factors that can cause skin cancer is not hard.  The most effective way is to avoid sunburns, make sure to use sunscreen with an SPF of fifteen or higher and wear protective clothing when you’re outdoors (such as long sleeves and hats).

People with very light skin are more vulnerable to develop skin cancer. Heredity also counts. If you have someone in your family who has had skin cancer, your chances of getting it are higher. Protection against the sun should start during childhood, because the damaging effects start at a young age advises the American Cancer Association.

Don’t think that dark skinned people don’t need to worry about skin cancer. Did you know that African Americans are more likely to die from skin cancer than Caucasians? The disease is less common for dark skinned people, it’s true, but a recent study from the Cincinnati University, Ohio, shows that when it occurs is usually more aggressive and hard to recognize early, reducing the chances of being cured and leading to more deaths, they say. Also the risk of eye damage and heat stroke caused by excessive exposure to intense sunlight is considered the same for everyone.

Skin cancer develops slowly. The sunburn you receive today could take about twenty years to become skin cancer.When detected early, it is highly treatable. It usually can be detected as a red blood spot that bleeds easily or as a skin grown that looks like a wart or even a firm nodule on your face, lips, ears, neck, hands, or arms. But not all skin changes are cancerous; the only way to find out is to consulting a doctor or dermatologist.

Remember about all these tips while enjoying your summertime and in case you
have sunburn, avoid sun on that area for the next couple days and try to cool the exposed area with lotion or water. In case of severe sunburn, go to see a doctor or dermatologist.

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