Every July, UV Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and encourages the public to take simple, proactive steps to protect themselves.
People may associate UV protection with summer days spent outdoors, but the reality is that UV radiation is a year-round concern, affecting us whether it’s sunny, cloudy or even snowy. The purpose of UV Awareness Month is to educate and encourage everyone, regardless of age, skin tone or lifestyle, to be more mindful of sun exposure and the simple choices we can make to safeguard our health.
While enjoying the sun is part of a healthy, active lifestyle, especially in the summer, many health care professionals see the lasting effects of UV radiation, sunburns that seemed harmless at the time, premature aging that catches people off guard and skin cancers that might have been prevented with earlier action. This is why it’s vital to understand how UV rays can affect our health and what we can do to stay safe year-round.
No One Is Immune: Understand Your Risks
UV radiation is a type of energy that comes from the sun. It’s invisible to the human eye, but its effects on the body are very real. The two forms that impact us most are UVA and UVB rays. These penetrate the skin and eyes, damaging cells over time and contributing to everything from sunburn and eye irritation to long-term problems such as cataracts, immune system suppression, and various forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most dangerous.
Unfortunately, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and more than 90% of non-melanoma cases are linked to UV radiation. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one-in-five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. It’s a common misconception that only fair-skinned individuals are at risk. While people with lighter skin are more vulnerable to sunburn and may have a higher incidence of certain skin cancers, UV damage affects all skin tones. In fact, people with darker skin often face delayed diagnoses, as skin cancer may not be detected until it’s in a more advanced and difficult-to-treat stage.
Many people underestimate how much time they spend in the sun. Walking the dog, gardening, or even quick errands can add up to significant UV exposure over time. UV rays are present year-round and can cause harm even on cloudy days. They also reflect off surfaces such as water, sand, concrete and snow, intensifying exposure. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but risk is present any time someone is outdoors during daylight for extended periods.
Prevention is Essential
The good news is that sun safety doesn’t require major lifestyle changes. To reduce the risk of UV-related health issues, health care providers recommend wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, seeking shade during peak hours, and wearing protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, is also advised.
Tanning beds are another source of harmful UV exposure and are strongly discouraged by dermatologists. The concentrated UV radiation from artificial tanning devices dramatically increases the risk of skin cancers, especially among teens and young adults. There’s no such thing as a “safe tan,” and that sun-kissed glow often comes at a much higher price than people realize.
Even with good prevention habits, it’s important to stay vigilant about changes in your skin. People should make a habit to perform monthly self-exams and to make note of any new spots or moles that are changing in size, shape, or color. If something doesn’t look quite right, don’t wait, make an appointment with your health care provider.
Skin cancer screenings are offered at the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare. Local dermatologists serve as physician partners in our fight to prevent and detect cancers early. Please ask your health care provider about screening.
More information about sun safety and skin cancer prevention is available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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