Winter weather is often cold and gloomy, so it’s easy to forget to protect your skin from the sun this time of year.
“In fact, protecting yourself against the sun’s cancer-causing rays should be a year-round priority, even during the cold weather months,” said Ashfaq Marghoob, MD, director, clinical dermatology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Skin Cancer Center in Hauppauge.
Marghoob addresses this and other questions about sun safety and skin cancer below:
Is sun exposure really that bad?
There are more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year in the U.S. Many of these cancers occur on the face that does get sun exposure, even during the winter. The vast majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the ultraviolet light given off by the sun in the form of rays called UVA and UVB. UVB rays can cause sunburns, while UVA rays can lead to skin damage and signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots. Both types of rays can cause skin cancer.
How can people protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays?
Following these sun safety tips can help reduce the risk of sunburn, premature aging and most importantly, developing skin cancer:
1 Avoid excessive, direct sun exposure to the face, hands and any other exposed surface of
the skin, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
2 Wear protective clothing such as scarves to cover the face, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
3 Apply sunscreen to exposed skin whenever going outdoors. Remember to reapply every two to three hours.
Is sunscreen necessary when it’s cloudy outside?
Yes! About 80 percent of the sun’s harmful rays pass through the clouds, so year-round protection is important, even on cloudy days.
What should people look for when buying sunscreen?
Choose a sunscreen that is labeled as having “broad-spectrum protection,” which indicates that the product will offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Most dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Who is at risk for skin cancer?
While anyone can get skin cancer, individuals at highest risk have fair skin, a tendency to sunburn, many moles or freckles, or a personal or family history of skin cancer. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, so everyone should protect themselves from the sun’s rays.
The good news is that skin cancer is highly treatable when it’s detected early, so people should examine their skin often. Any growth or spot that is new, changes shape or color, looks different compared to others on the skin, or is itchy or painful should be checked out by a dermatologist right away.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Skin Cancer Center in Hauppauge offers board-certified dermatologists who specialize in prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Visit www.mskcc.org to learn more.
