Why_

TEENS----SUNSCREEN=SAFETY Facts: 1) Around 160,000 new cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed in the world each year. 2) In 80 percent of all cases, basal cell cancers are found on the head and neck. 3) More than 700,000 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed every year. | | | 4) Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States — more than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in 5) 80% of skin damage occurs before 18 years of age Treatments: Surgery-many skin cancers can be cut from the skin quickly and easily. In fact, the cancer is sometimes completely removed at the time of the biopsy, and no further treatment is needed. Curettage- Doctors commonly use a procedure called curettage. After a local anaesthetic numbs the area, the cancer is scooped out with a curette, an instrument with a sharp, spoon-shaped end. Radiation therapy- Doctors often use radiation treatments for skin cancer occurring in areas that are difficult to treat with surgery. Obtaining a good cosmetic result generally involves many treatment sessions, perhaps 25 to 30. Safety Tips: 1) Reduce sun exposure, especially between 11am and 4pm. 2) Use sunscreen with UVA/UVB SPF 15+. Reapply every 2 hours 3) Sunscreen should be used in combination with shade, clothing, hat and sunglasses. 4) Wear sunglasses with darker shading with UVA and UVB protection. UVA: UVA rays are long rays that penetrate deep into the skin. UVA damages the skin causing wrinkling, sagging and premature aging. UVB: UVB rays are short, powerful and harmful rays that affect the outer layers of the skin. UVB causes sunburn and produces melanin, which gives people a tan. It also damages DNA in the skin, which causes skin cancer. SPF: Sun protection factors-this is the degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from the direct rays of the sun. Causes: 1) Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, most commonly from sunlight, is overwhelmingly the most frequent cause of skin cancer. 2) Use of tanning booths. 3) People with numerous moles, unusual moles, or large moles that were present at birth. 4) Exposure to unusually high levels of x-rays. Consequences: Basal Cell Carcinoma- This is the most common type of skin cancer. It rarely kills, but it is still considered malignant because it can cause significant destruction by invading surrounding tissues. Squamous Cell Carcinoma- This is a form of cancer of the carcinoma type that may occur in many different organs, including the skin, lips, mouth, esophagus, urinary bladder, prostate, lungs, vagina, and cervix. Malignant Melanoma- This is one of the less common types of skin cancer, but causes the majority (75%) of skin cancer related deaths. Slop-on the sunscreen Slip-on a shirt Slap-on a wide hat