Skip to OncoLog navigation.Skip to page content. Leave this site and go to M. D. Anderson Patients & Public - M. D. Anderson Cancer Professionals - M. D. Anderson About M. D. Anderson Site Map for M. D. Anderson Contact M. D. Anderson Search M. D. Anderson
Navigate www.mdanderson Above
Rule
OncoLog: Report to Physicians M. D. Anderson's report to physicians about advances in cancer care and research.
Click for Patient Referral.
Navigate OncoLog Below    
Español

Home/Current Issue
Previous Issues
Articles by Topic
Patient Education
About OncoLog
Contact OncoLog

         
Sign Up for E-mail Alerts.

 

 

  

Spacer

From OncoLog, July/August 2004, Vol. 49, No. 7/8

House Call: Information and advice for patients and those who care for them.Graphic: Sun protection

Protecting Yourself Against Skin Cancer

Around the world, the incidence of skin cancer is skyrocketing. More than one million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. And the occurrence of the most serious form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, has more than doubled since 1973, according to the American Cancer Society.

What has caused this dramatic increase in skin cancer incidence? The popularity of suntans, increased recreational time spent outdoors, and thinner material used in today’s clothing that allows ultraviolet light to penetrate to the skin have all contributed to the increase in skin cancer cases, as has the continual depletion of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from ultraviolet light.

Despite these factors, there are many fairly simple changes that all of us can make to protect ourselves from the sun’s damaging rays:

  • Apply liberal amounts of sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Use a palm-full of sunscreen to cover your arms, legs, neck, and face. Reapply every two hours and right after swimming.
  • Make sure that babies are never exposed to direct sunlight. When they are outside during the day, protective clothing should be used to shield them from the sun. Sunscreen, however, should not be used on infants younger than six months old.
  • Stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s ultraviolet rays are strongest.
  • Use a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and protects against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays (see box). Both types increase your risk of skin cancer. Be aware that the SPF applies only to UVB blocking ability. Currently, there is no rating system for UVA protection.
  • Be extra vigilant about protecting children from the sun. Melanoma is linked to severe sunburns and intermittent exposure to intense sunlight, mainly before the age of 18. Children should always wear sunscreen when going outside. Regular use of sunscreen during the first 18 years of a child’s life could reduce his or her lifetime incidence of skin cancer by 78%, according to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
  • Cover up with a broad-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, clothing made of tightly woven fabrics (preferably long-sleeved shirts and pants), and, of course, sunscreen.
  • Don’t use tanning beds. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2002 found that people who used tanning lamps and tanning beds were 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to develop common kinds of skin cancer than those who did not. If you want your skin to look tanned, try a spray-on tan from a bottle.
  • Check your skin regularly for changes in moles and birthmarks, and see your physician if you notice any changes. Remember that skin cancer, if detected early, is curable.

Getting the Most out of Sunscreen Lotions

When buying a sunscreen lotion, look for brands that are waterproof or water-resistant and that contain broad-spectrum ingredients. The following ingredients provide protection against both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays:

  • Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), oxybenzone, and sulisobenzone. These organic formulas filter out and absorb UV light.
  • Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These inorganic pigments physically block nearly all UVA and UVB rays and are not absorbed by the skin. Newer inorganic sunblocks called microfine oxides are less visible and not as messy as older ones, which left thick, hard-to-remove smudges. People with light-sensitive skin conditions should be aware that neither organic formulas nor inorganic microfine oxides protect against visible light. Inorganic, transparent sunscreens that block visible light are currently available in Europe but not in the United States.

You may notice that a lot of sunscreens say “PABA free.” The problem with PABA (para-amino benzoic acid), an organic formula that was once very popular, is that it does not provide protection against UVA rays, many people are allergic to it, and it can stain clothing. Worst of all, PABA may actually break down when exposed to UV light and release free radicals, which are atoms or groups of atoms that damage cells and promote aging.

For more information on this topic or for questions about M. D. Anderson’s treatments, programs, or services, call askMDAnderson at (877) MDA-6789.

Other articles in OncoLog, July/August 2004 issue:

TopTOP

Home/Current Issue | Previous Issues | Articles by Topic | Patient Education
About Oncolog | Contact OncoLog
Sign Up for E-mail Alerts

©2008 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030
1-877-MDA-6789 (USA) / 1-713-792-3245  
 Patient Referral    Legal Statements    Privacy Policy
Patient Referral