With county fairs in Berrien and Cass counties fast approaching, many of us will be heading outdoors to take advantage of (hopefully) great summer weather before we have to endure another snow-filled winter in southwest Michigan.

Being outside means we will likely be exposed the sun. We need to be mindful of the dangers of too much sun exposure.

According to skincancer.org, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined during the past three decades.

In fact, some of the statistics are alarming:

• Each year in the U.S., nearly five million people are treated for skin cancer.

• Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.

• Treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers increased by nearly 77 percent between 1992 and 2006.

• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.

• Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer with an estimated 2.8 million diagnosed annually in the U.S. BCCs are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring if allowed to grow.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to reduce the risk of contracting skin cancer for ourselves and our children:

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Do not burn.

• Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.

• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

• Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

• Apply one ounce (two tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

With these precautions, we can still enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer without sacrificing our health.

Stay safe this summer.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.