My kids are looking forward to a sunny summer on the water, but my husband and I worry about skin cancer. How can we enjoy a day on the water safely?
A: The most surefire way to avoid skin cancer is to stay out of the sun. Try forbidding your kids from water sports and sandcastles, however, and you're asking for trouble. But you can minimize the sun's dangers while soaking in its rewards.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. There are three types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most benign type as well as the most common: It accounts for about four-fifths of all skin-cancer cases. It's also the least likely to spread.
Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for another 16 percent of skin cancers. Men carry four times the risk of squamous cell cancer as women. Basal and squamous cell cancers usually aren't fatal, and neither will progress into melanoma. But squamous cell carcinoma can be life-threatening if it spreads to lymph nodes or internal organs. Fortunately, this type of spread is quite uncommon, and even when it occurs, about half of the cases can be cured.
The most deadly skin cancer is malignant melanoma, which afflicts about 45,000 Americans per year. Although it accounts for only 4 percent of skin cancers, it causes more than three-quarters of all skin cancer deaths. Without early detection and treatment, it can spread to the lymph nodes and internal organs.
Each skin cancer has its own profile.
Basal cell carcinoma may first appear as a pearly pimple or bump, a white or yellow scar, or a scaly red patch. Some basal cell cancers appear as an ulcer that won't heal. A squamous cell carcinoma usually starts as a small, scaly bump and grows slowly until it looks like an ulcer or wart. Squamous cell cancers frequently occur on the face, lips, ears or backs of the hands.
Melanoma requires special attention. To find it early, look for the ABCDs. These letters stand for asymmetry, meaning one-half of the growth looks different from the other; border irregularity, in which the edges are ragged or blurry; color that's unusual (black, reddish, bluish or even multicolored); and a diameter that exceeds 6 mm, about the width of a pencil eraser. And a mole or growth that's evolved or changed in any way should be checked by a dermatologist.
There are two kinds of ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin: UVA and UVB. Sunblocks and sunscreens protect against both, but in different ways. True to the name, sunblocks prevent both UVA and UVB radiation from reaching your skin by reflecting it away. Sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb rather than reflect UV radiation. Lifeguards often use the sunblocking agents zinc oxide or titanium oxide, the creamy white coating that has saved many a nose from too much sun. These ingredients are used in some lotions, such as those labeled as "nonchemical" or "for sensitive skin."
Most people focus on the sun protection factor (SPF) rating of sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the longer it protects against sun exposure. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF rating of at least 15. People with fair skin or at high risk for skin cancer may want a higher SPF.
But SPF rating measures only how well a sunscreen deflects UVB rays. A standard measurement for UVA protection hasn't been determined. Since many sunscreens are not geared to block UVA rays, seek out products labeled "broad spectrum." They should protect against the broadest possible range of UV radiation. Two new sunscreens -- Anthelios SX and Helioplex -- provide longer-lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays than traditional sunscreens.
Even when using a high SPF sunscreen, many sun worshippers get burned. They probably use too little and apply it too infrequently. Use about a shot glass full of sunscreen for exposed areas of skin, and apply it about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply it immediately after swimming and every two hours, even if you stay out of the water.
Because sunscreen and sunblock can't protect you from all of the sun's rays, take other protective measures. Wear clothing made from tightly woven fabrics or those that absorb UV light. Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when its rays are most intense. And wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep sun off your face.
People soak in 85 percent of their lifetime UV rays by the time they are 18. Given this statistic, it's understandable you'd want to protect your children. Fun in the sun has numerous benefits, and a few simple precautions can lower the risk of sunburn, skin cancer and the wrinkled, yellow skin that makes sun worshippers look old before their time.
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