04/22/23 REC 1

Sun Safety

Having fun in the sun while protecting yourself

04/22/23 REC 2

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.

04/22/23 REC 3

UV radiation has both positive and negative effectsPositive UV

effects:WarmthLightPhotosynthesis in

plants

Vitamin D synthesis in body

Mood elevationKills pathogens

04/22/23 REC 4

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

04/22/23 REC 5

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 newnew cases of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma will have been detected this year.

04/22/23 REC 6

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.

04/22/23 REC 7

Eye Damage from UV Radiation

Increased risk of cataracts“Burning” of the eye surface, called

“snow blindness” or photokeratitisUV damage to the eyes is cumulative

04/22/23 REC 8

Photoaging

Chronic overexposure to the sun changes the texture and weakens the elastic properties of the skin.

Leathery and wrinkled skin results.

04/22/23 REC 9

Photoaging

Sun-induced damage causes wrinkles, furrows, easy bruising, brown or “liver spots,” precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses.

Photoaging is also a cumulative process.

04/22/23 REC 10

04/22/23 REC 11

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.

04/22/23 REC 12

Immune System Suppression

Mild sunburns can directly suppress the immune functions of human skin where the sunburn occurred, even in people with dark skin.

04/22/23 REC 13

Effects of Exposure to UV Radiation

SunburnTanningPrematurely aged skin (including

wrinkles and loss of elasticity)Actinic keratosisSkin cancer(s)Cataracts Immune system suppression

04/22/23 REC 14

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.

04/22/23 REC 15

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!

04/22/23 REC 16

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

04/22/23 REC 17

Basal Cell Carcinoma

04/22/23 REC 18

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.

04/22/23 REC 19

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

04/22/23 REC 20

Types of Skin Cancers

Melanoma

04/22/23 REC 21

Melanoma

04/22/23 REC 22

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.

04/22/23 REC 23

UVA Vs. UVB Radiation

UVB: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

04/22/23 REC 24

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.

04/22/23 REC 25

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.

04/22/23 REC 26

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.

04/22/23 REC 27

Ultraviolet Radiation and Tanning DevicesA 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.

04/22/23 REC 28

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.

04/22/23 REC 29

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 outdoorsHave fair skin; or blonde, red, or

light brown hair

04/22/23 REC 30

ACS says the risks associated with UV exposure increases if you:

Were previously treated for skin cancer

Live or vacation at high altitudesHave lots of moles, irregular moles, or

large molesHave certain diseases, such as lupus

erythematosusTake certain medications

04/22/23 REC 31

Limiting Exposure to UV Radiation (ACS)

Limit direct sun exposure during midday (10 AM – 3 PM)

Cover upWear a hatUse 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.

04/22/23 REC 32

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 raysBe especially careful around water, snow

and at high altitudesAvoid sunlamps and tanning booths

04/22/23 REC 33

Australia’s “Slip, Slap, Slop” Program

“Slip” on a shirt“Slap” on a hat“Slop” on sunscreen“Slip, Slap, Slop” is a nationalnational program

in Australia, equivalent in size, scope and importance to U.S.A.’s cancer or anti-smoking campaigns.

04/22/23 REC 34

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.

04/22/23 REC 35

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 influenceMedia influence

04/22/23 REC 36

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.

04/22/23 REC 37

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.