Summer is synonymous with people spending more time outdoors, especially in Florida. With summer vacations and the Fourth of July holiday, people squeeze in quality time together outside – at the beach, at the pool, hiking, fishing, camping or boating – before the kids go back to school and fall starts.
Skin protection should be equally as important as soaking in the summer season, especially since skin cancer has become one of the most common cancer diagnoses in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 104,960 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2025. In Florida, an estimated 10,290 people will be diagnosed with melanoma this year.
There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell cancers are the most common, with an estimated 5.4 million cases affecting about 3.3 million people each year. They are treatable if caught early. Melanoma, however, is more aggressive and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time.
Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers. The key to prevention is simple: Protect you and your family’s skin from the sun.
First and foremost, wear sunscreen. Broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher should be applied generously to all exposed skin. It’s important to reapply sunscreen every two hours, and even more so if you are sweating or swimming. Skin damage often occurs at young ages, so make sure the kids and teens are applying sunscreen while they’re spending time outside.
Keeping the skin covered is also a proactive way to protect the skin from UV radiation. Wear a hat, long sleeves and pants while considering their UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. UPF ratings measure how well a fabric blocks UV radiation from reaching the skin. You can also keep covered and cool in the shade to protect your skin.
Although being tan is a popular summer look, tanning beds aren’t a safe alternative for your skin. There is no such thing as a “healthy tan.”
It’s also a good idea to have a health care provider examine your skin every year. You should also check your skin once a month for any unusual moles or spots, especially if they change in size, shape, or color. If you have a mole that concerns you, see your health care provider right away.
Skin cancer can strike anyone. In fact, it may surprise you that melanoma rates in men older than 50 are much higher than women at that age. Most skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Although UV exposure can happen at any time of year, rates are generally higher in the summer months and peak at midday.
This is an issue that has personally impacted my family, so it’s a cause that I take seriously, especially since we live in a state where we can generally enjoy being outside all year long. It’s part of what makes Florida such a wonderful place to live and raise a family, and we can all continue to enjoy the great state of Florida safely by making sun safety part of your routine before you go outside.
Abby Bean is the wife of Congressman Aaron Bean, and she is a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families® Program. To learn more about skin cancer prevention, visit www.preventcancer.org/skin.
