Having fun in the sun while protecting yourself Sun Safety Having fun in the sun while protecting yourself 9/16/2018 REC

Sun Safety Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays threatens human health Children are highly susceptible to harmful UV radiation, since 80 % of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. Just one or two blistering sunburns in childhood may double the risk of developing melanoma. 9/16/2018 REC

UV radiation has both positive and negative effects Positive UV effects: Warmth Light Photosynthesis in plants Vitamin D synthesis in body Mood elevation Kills pathogens 9/16/2018 REC

UV radiation has both positive and negative effects Negative UV effects: Overexposure to UV radiation is the primary environmental risk factor for: Diseases of the eye Immune suppression Skin cancers Photoaging 9/16/2018 REC

Skin cancer facts According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. One American dies every hour from skin cancer. One million new cases of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma will have been detected this year. 9/16/2018 REC

Skin cancer facts 42,000 new cases of malignant melanoma will have been diagnosed. Skin cancer will have claimed 9,200 lives, 7,300 of these from melanoma and 1,900 from other skin cancers. 9/16/2018 REC

Eye Damage from UV Radiation Increased risk of cataracts “Burning” of the eye surface, called “snow blindness” or photokeratitis UV damage to the eyes is cumulative 9/16/2018 REC

Photoaging Chronic overexposure to the sun changes the texture and weakens the elastic properties of the skin. Leathery and wrinkled skin results. 9/16/2018 REC

Photoaging Sun-induced damage causes wrinkles, furrows, easy bruising, brown or “liver spots,” precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. Photoaging is also a cumulative process. 9/16/2018 REC

9/16/2018 REC

Immune System Suppression Sunburns can alter the distribution and function of disease-fighting white blood cells in humans for up to 24 hours after exposure. Repeated exposure can cause more damage to the body’s immune system. 9/16/2018 REC

Immune System Suppression Mild sunburns can directly suppress the immune functions of human skin where the sunburn occurred, even in people with dark skin. 9/16/2018 REC

Effects of Exposure to UV Radiation Sunburn Tanning Prematurely aged skin (including wrinkles and loss of elasticity) Actinic keratosis Skin cancer(s) Cataracts Immune system suppression 9/16/2018 REC

Skin Cancer Facts Since 1973, the rate of new melanomas diagnosed per year has doubled from 6 new cases per 100,000 population to 12. Melanoma is the most common cancer for women ages 25-29 and the second most common cancer for women age 30-34 When melanoma is caught early, it is almost 100% curable. 9/16/2018 REC

Skin Cancer Facts Every year, more than 1,000,000 people get skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers: One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in his or her lifetime. One American develops skin cancer every 30 seconds. Skin cancer kills one American every hour! 9/16/2018 REC

Types of Skin Cancers Basal Cell Carcinoma ( 75% ) Most common type Grows slowly and rarely spreads Appears as a pink or white pearly bump or an irritated patch that may bleed and crust over 9/16/2018 REC

Basal Cell Carcinoma 9/16/2018 REC

Types of Skin Cancers Squamous Cell Carcinoma More dangerous than basal cell Appears as pink bump or scaly patch with an open sore in the center. 9/16/2018 REC

Squamous Cell Carcinoma 9/16/2018 REC

Types of Skin Cancers Melanoma 9/16/2018 REC

Melanoma 9/16/2018 REC

Skin Cancer Facts There is now a 1-in-84 lifetime risk of developing melanoma in the U.S. population -- an 1800% increase since 1930, according to research reported by Dr. Darrell S. Rigel of the New York University School of Medicine. Most of the sun damage that leads to melanoma occurs before age 18. 9/16/2018 REC

UVA Vs. UVB Radiation UVB: UVA: penetrates into epidermis - 90% is absorbed in the first 0.03 mm can be blocked by paper, opaque plastic, cloth and glass Thickens upper skin layer UVA: Penetrates into dermis - 37% penetrates to 0.06 mm Can be blocked by paper, opaque plastic, cloth Penetrates glass Increases melanin in skin 9/16/2018 REC

Ultraviolet Radiation Two main types of UV radiation reach the earth, UVA and UVB. There are no safe UV rays. Tanning booths emit mainly UVA radiation, but also some UVB. Older tanning devices emitted UVB. While both UVA and UVB contribute to skin damage, UVA has links to malignant melanoma; UVB more likely to cause burns. 9/16/2018 REC

Ultraviolet Radiation UVB rays have shorter wavelength and burn outer layers of the skin. UVA rays have longer wavelength and penetrate deeper into the skin. Both types of radiation may cause skin cancers. 9/16/2018 REC

Ultraviolet Radiation and Tanning Devices Emit 2 to 3 times the amount of UVA in natural sunlight An average 15 to 30 minute visit exposes a person to the same amount of UVA he/she would get in a day at the beach. At least 1,000,000 Americans (on average) visit tanning salons each day. 9/16/2018 REC

Ultraviolet Radiation and Tanning Devices A new Swedish study concluded that the use of tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma. Chances of later development of melanoma increased by 300% in occasional tanning bed users. For those using tanning beds more than 10 times per year, risk of melanoma increased by an astounding 800%. The increased risk was greatest if subjects were under the age of 30. 9/16/2018 REC

Ultraviolet Radiation and Tanning Devices The American Academy of Dermatology has flatly stated there are no known beneficial effects of tanning booths to health. As a corollary, the American Academy of Dermatology believes there is no such thing as a “healthy” tan. 9/16/2018 REC

ACS says the risks associated with UV exposure increases if you: Have a family history of skin cancer Have freckles and burn before tanning Spend a lot of time outdoors Have fair skin; or blonde, red, or light brown hair 9/16/2018 REC

ACS says the risks associated with UV exposure increases if you: Were previously treated for skin cancer Live or vacation at high altitudes Have lots of moles, irregular moles, or large moles Have certain diseases, such as lupus erythematosus Take certain medications 9/16/2018 REC

Limiting Exposure to UV Radiation (ACS) Limit direct sun exposure during midday (10 AM – 3 PM) Cover up Wear a hat Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher Infants under six months of age should be kept out of direct sun and covered by protective clothing. 9/16/2018 REC

Limiting Exposure to UV Radiation (ACS) Apply sunscreen/sunblock about 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply frequently – every 1 to 1 ½ hours, even on cloudy days, more often if swimming or heavily perspiring Wear sunglasses that block UV rays Be especially careful around water, snow and at high altitudes Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths 9/16/2018 REC

Australia’s “Slip, Slap, Slop” Program “Slip” on a shirt “Slap” on a hat “Slop” on sunscreen “Slip, Slap, Slop” is a national program in Australia, equivalent in size, scope and importance to U.S.A.’s cancer or anti-smoking campaigns. 9/16/2018 REC

Barriers to Behavior Change Most people are aware of health risks, but want to tan anyway, either in the sun or a tanning salon -- or both. Why? Feel that it makes them look better. Feel that it makes them feel better. 9/16/2018 REC

Barriers to Behavior Change Feel a tan protects them (from burns). Feel that a tan improves their self-esteem. Feel that a tan gives them a “healthy” appearance. Peer influence Media influence 9/16/2018 REC

ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma A is for Asymmetry: One-half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. B is for Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred. 9/16/2018 REC

ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma C is for Color: The color is not the same all over, but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white, or blue. D is for Diameter: The area is larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger. 9/16/2018 REC