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That healthy golden glow emanating from sun-kissed skin is not even remotely healthful. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives, and one person dies of malignant melanoma every hour in the United States.
They are sobering numbers that Westport resident and dermatologist Robin Oshman is ready to share and prepared to tackle. Dr. Oshman, an assistant clinical professor at Yale New Haven Hospital who's been in practice for 21 years, explains the culprits: "There are three forms of sun related skin cancer," she says. "Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. It's expected that more than two million cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year of basal and squamous cell carcinomas combined, and about 115,000 cases of melanoma."
There are, says Dr. Oshman, certain risk factors for developing sun-related skin cancers. If you're fair-skinned, have blue eyes and blonde hair, you run a greater risk than your olive-skinned, dark-haired friends. You are also at risk if you have a "first-degree relative" with a history of skin cancer, or if you've spent three summers working outdoors and have had three blistering sunburns. "Remember, tanned skin is sun damaged skin," says Dr. Oshman, adding: "It is neither safe to tan in the sun nor in the tanning parlor."
There are steps you can take to avoid sun-damaged skin, says Dr. Oshman. "Wear protective clothing, such as a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, long sleeved shirt and pants. Seek shade and avoid reflective surfaces such as sand, water, and snow." She also suggests avoiding the sun during its strongest hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as well as applying broad spectrum, waterproof and sweat-proof sunscreen (with an SPF of 30 or more) to all exposed skin. Dr. Oshman admonishes people not to be fooled by cloudy days. "Eighty percent of ultra violet light penetrates clouds and causes bad sunburns" when the sun isn't shining, she says.
The good news is that skin cancer is preventable, detectable and treatable if caught early.
Do you sneak in some sun, or do you always protect your skin? Let me know here.
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