Sun Safety Awareness Month: July

Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Awareness: Protecting Your Skin This Summer

CDR Julie Cure

As summer quickly approaches, it’s crucial to remember that while the sun provides us with much-needed vitamin D and boosts our mood, it also poses significant risks to our skin health. Skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the United States, with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun being a major contributing factor. As physician assistants, we play a vital role in educating our patients about sun safety and skin cancer prevention.

Being a Florida native and having a family history of melanoma, I find it important to protect myself and educate my patients on protecting their skin and avoiding skin cancer.

Types of UV Radiation:

There are 2 main types of UV radiation from the sun: 

• UVA Rays: These rays penetrate the skin more deeply and are primarily responsible for premature aging and wrinkling. They can also contribute to the development of skin cancer.
• UVB Rays: These rays are responsible for causing sunburn and play a key role in the development of skin cancer. They can damage the DNA in our skin cells, leading to mutations that may result in cancer. 

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is categorized mainly into three types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are more common and less aggressive, while melanoma is less common but more deadly due to its tendency to spread to other parts of the body.

There are more than 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer daily. Preventive measures and early detection are critical for skin cancer detection and treatment.

Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

Several factors increase the risk of developing skin cancer, including:

• Fair Skin: Individuals with lighter skin tones have less melanin, which provides some protection against UV radiation.
• History of Sunburns: Experiencing blistering sunburns, especially during childhood, increases the risk.
• Excessive Sun Exposure: Spending a lot of time in the sun without protection increases risk.
• Tanning Beds: Use of indoor tanning devices significantly increases the risk of all types of skin cancer.
• Family History: A family history of skin cancer can increase an individual's risk.

Sun Safety Tips

1. Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Encourage patients to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Remind them to apply it generously 15 minutes before going outdoors and to reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.
2. Seek Shade: Advise patients to seek shade, especially during peak sun intensity hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when UV rays are strongest.
3. Wear Protective Clothing: Recommend wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats. Clothing made from tightly woven fabric offers the best protection.
4. Use Sunglasses: Sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays protect the eyes and the surrounding skin.
5. Avoid Tanning Beds: Educate patients about the dangers of tanning beds, which can emit UV radiation levels up to 12 times higher than the sun.
6. Be Cautious Near Water and Sand: These surfaces reflect the sun’s rays, increasing the chance of sunburn.

As healthcare providers, physician assistants/associates are in a critical position to detect and treat skin cancer as well as provide education.  Some ways PAs are involved:

• Conduct Skin Exams: Encourage regular skin self-exams and offer to perform skin checks during routine visits. Early detection of suspicious moles or lesions can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
• Educate on the ABCDEs of Melanoma: Teach patients to recognize the warning signs of melanoma using the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than 6mm, and Evolving shape or size.
• Promote Awareness Campaigns: Participate in or organize community events and campaigns to raise awareness about sun safety and skin cancer prevention.
• Utilize Technology: Recommend apps and tools that help track UV exposure and remind users to apply sunscreen.

Addressing Common Myths

There are several misconceptions about sun exposure and skin cancer that need to be addressed:

• Myth 1: "I don’t need sunscreen on cloudy days."Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate clouds, so sunscreen is necessary even on overcast days.
• Myth 2: "A base tan protects against sunburn."A tan is a sign of skin damage, and it offers minimal protection against further UV exposure.
• Myth 3: "Darker skin tones don’t get skin cancer."While darker skin has more melanin, which offers some protection, individuals with darker skin can still develop skin cancer and should practice sun safety.

As summer starts, PAs can promote sun safety and skin cancer awareness.  We play a pivotal role in reducing the incidence of skin cancer and fostering a culture of proactive skin health. Through education, preventive measures, and early detection, we can help our patients enjoy the sun safely and reduce their risk of skin cancer.