Skin Cancer and Sun Safety: Test Your Knowledge

Think you know all you need to know about skin cancer and sun safety? Test yourself with Core Content Media’s quiz for Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.
By: Kay Wilton
 
May 17, 2010 - PRLog -- When summer arrives, you may feel that worrying about skin cancer and sun safety will put a damper on your fun. But, you should give them some thought. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2009 there were over one million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 68,720 cases of melanoma skin cancer, the more deadly form of the disease.

Fortunately, most types of skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in the world - can be prevented with easy sun safety methods. But, how much do you know about protecting your skin? Test your knowledge in Core Content Media’s “Skin Cancer and Sun Safety I.Q." quiz at http://corecontentmedia.com/health/test-your-skin-cancer-and-sun-safety-iq/.

Here are a few true-or-false questions to get you started:

1. TRUE OR FALSE: Sunscreen is the only sun protection you need?
False. Sunscreen may be your best defense against damaging UVA and UVB rays. But, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, you need a little more than the creamy stuff for full protection. You should avoid peak sunlight, which is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wear lip balm and sunglasses, and if you’ll be outside for a while, wearing sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat is a good idea. Seek out shade whenever you can. Also keep your tanning bed sessions to a minimum. Several studies, including one by the Dartmouth Medical School, indicated that tanning bed users had a higher risk of certain types of skin cancer.

2. TRUE OR FALSE: Fair-skinned people are the only ones with a higher risk of skin cancer?
False. Fair-skinned people produce less melanin, a pigment which helps to protect the skin from the sun’s rays. So, they’re more at risk for skin problems, including skin cancer. However, that doesn’t mean that darker-skinned people are safe; they should still protect their skin.

Also, the American Cancer Society states that if you are an athlete, work outdoors, have an autoimmune disease like lupus, or have freckles or irregular moles, your risk for skin cancer may also be higher.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 is all you need.
True and false. If you’re just sitting around outside near a shaded area, SPF 15 will get the job done. But if you’re outside for a long period of time, or working or playing in the sun, go for a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Also, according to Cancer Research UK, children have sensitive skin so they are more likely to burn; a higher SPF is a better choice for them.

To brush up on your sun safety just in time for summer, check out the rest of Core Content Media’s "Skin Cancer and Sun Safety I.Q." quiz at http://corecontentmedia.com/health/test-your-skin-cancer-....

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Core Content Media, http://corecontentmedia.com/contact/, provides affordable, high-quality articles and press releases for websites, blogs, and newsletters on a range of topics including health, natural health, beauty, weight loss, self empowerment, and careers. Our articles can also be used for article marketing or promotional purposes.
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Source:Kay Wilton
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Tags:Skin Cancer, Sun Safety, Health, Melanoma, Non Melanoma, Core Content Media, Skin
Industry:Health, Beauty, Lifestyle
Location:Ontario - Canada
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