May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that May is National Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.

The month is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the importance of skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2005, about 1 million new cases of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma and about 59,350 new cases of malignant melanoma will be diagnosed.

It is also expected that skin cancer will claim the lives of approximately 9,800 Americans, according to "Cancer Facts & Figures, 2003" from CDC's Web site.

It is a well known fact that exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Sun exposure is also cumulative, meaning every 15 minutes you are outdoors adds up over your lifetime.

An often overlooked health issue is skin that is excessively dry, which may crack, making it possible for infections to enter the body. The sun also causes our skin to age prematurely and is the source of deep wrinkles, excessive dryness, and skin pigmentation changes.

All sunscreen is not created equal. It is important that sunscreen is broad spectrum--protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.

UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and are primarily responsible for sunburn and are known to contribute to skin cancer, including the deadliest form--melanoma. Long wavelength UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing excessive dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, irregular skin pigmentation, and contributes to cancer. UVA rays come through in overcast weather and they come through glass.

There are only three sunscreen ingredients approved for use in the U.S. that block UVA long rays. You should make sure your sunscreen contains one of these three: Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide, or Zinc Oxide.

Please remember to cover up with sunscreen of SPF 30 or above and protective clothing as you are outside this summer.