subscribe
send to a friend

Protect Your Skin, Protect Yourself

SunBy: Megan Nelson

Contact us for more info.

Thanks to a long, gloomy winter, Pullman residents are not concerned with proper sun and skin care. People tend to be concerned about their lack of tan, but this should not be a reason to discount the importance of protecting their skin, both now and all year long.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It is the sixth most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. according to the National Cancer Institute. Caucasian men and women are 30 times more likely to develop melanoma than African American men and women.

Melanoma begins in cells of the skin called melanocytes. Rarely, this form of malignant cancer can also begin in the cells of the eye or the digestive tract. Studies have allowed researchers to learn much more about this disease, however, specifically what causes melanoma is still unknown, only that it is more common with age and with people living in areas that receive more sunlight. Studies by the National Cancer Institute report that approximately 1 in 58 males and females born today will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin during their lifetime.

It is important to understand that there are many factors that influence the likelihood of developing skin cancer, including skin coloring, amount of existing moles, genetic disposition, and gender. Cancerous cells develop over time, therefore physical symptoms or concerns may not develop until later in life.

It is important to know the primary source for melanoma is from ultra violet rays. UV light is made up of invisible energy that comes from the sun, sun lamps and tanning beds. While excessive time in the sun does not directly result in a diagnosis of melanoma, it is known that UV exposure can damage DNA, the genetic material that contains all of our genetic composition; including how and when our cells will divide which can in turn lead to cancer.

For the duration of the typical school year in Pullman the amount of sun received is relatively low. This may lead residents to believe that they are not at risk for skin cancer, or that going without protection in the sun is okay. However, making certain precautions a habit can help ward off the risk of developing any kind of skin cancer. Wearing protective clothing, especially on a sunny day is important.  Hats, sleeves, and sunglasses should be worn to cover areas of skin likely to be exposed. Sunscreen should also be worn thoroughly at all times on all exposed areas of skin, regardless of skin type, because UV rays penetrate skin and damage cells deep in the skin, even on cloudy days.

When purchasing sunscreen, look for an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. A higher SPF does not mean an individual should spend more time in the sun, only that a slightly higher percentage of sunlight is being filtered or blocked. For the best protection, apply sunscreen liberally to exposed parts of the body at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every two hours.

Taking these preventative steps can decrease the risk of melanoma as well as protect the skin from premature aging. To learn more about melanoma and skin cancer, please attend the Wellbeing Lecture Series workshop “Staying Safe in the Summer Heat” on Tuesday April 15, 12:10–12:50 p.m. in CUE 512. This workshop will be presented by faculty members from the College of Pharmacy and University Recreation.  

For questions, further information, or additional resources on this topic, please contact Brad Stewart, Employee Wellbeing Coordinator for University Recreation, at 335-7101 or bjstewart@wsu.edu.