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<\/a><\/h3>\nThere are risk factors for skin cancer.\u00a0 If you are at a higher risk, you can take the proper steps to protect yourself.<\/p>\n
You may be at a higher risk for developing skin cancer if you have:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A personal or family history of melanoma<\/li>\n
- Many moles or moles that are unusually shaped or large<\/li>\n
- A susceptibility to burning easily in the sun<\/li>\n
- Light coloured skin, eyes, and hair<\/li>\n
- A history of excessive sun exposure<\/li>\n
- A disease or diseases that suppress your immune system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
One of the main causes of skin cancer is over exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.<\/p>\n
The sun naturally gives out ultraviolet radiation. There are two main types of UV rays that can damage skin.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>UVA Rays<\/h4>\n- \n
- UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB and play a major part in the aging of our skin.\u00a0 Think wrinkle rays:)\u00a0 UVA rays can damage skin cells called keratinocytes. Basal and squamous cells are types of keratinocytes.\u00a0 UVA rays can contribute to and possibly initiate the development of skin cancers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
UVB Rays<\/h4>\n
- \n
- UVB rays cause skin reddening and sunburn damaging the skin’s more superficial epidermal layers. These rays play a key role in the development of skin cancer.\u00a0 UVB rays can burn and damage your skin all year-round.\u00a0 Even in the snowy winter months the snow and ice can reflect UVB rays and damage your skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Interesting facts to note<\/h3>\n
Your skin does not have to be in a blistering, peeling state to be considered burnt.\u00a0\u00a0If your skin has gone red or pink it has been sunburnt\u2060.<\/p>\n
When your skin gets burnt, the UV radiation causes damage to the DNA of your skin cells and it is this damage that is the underlying cause of skin cancer\u2060.<\/p>\n
\u2060You can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer with proper sun care aimed at avoiding harmful UV rays.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Here are 3 important tips to protect yourself<\/h3>\n- \n
- Seek shade when the sun is at its highest point in the sky.\u00a0 This is when it is strongest<\/li>\n
- Cover up with clothing \u2013 wear a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses<\/li>\n
- Apply sunscreen regularly with at least a SPF15. Use it generously and re-apply regularly<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
\nReferences<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.cancer.ca\/en\/cancer-information\/cancer-type\/skin-melanoma\/melanoma\/?region=on#ixzz5u2kUehFF<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org\/2017\/05\/08\/sun-awareness-week-10-new-sun-safety-myths-debunked\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/10985-sun-exposure–skin-cancer<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/prevention\/uva-and-uvb<\/a><\/p>\n
- UVB rays cause skin reddening and sunburn damaging the skin’s more superficial epidermal layers. These rays play a key role in the development of skin cancer.\u00a0 UVB rays can burn and damage your skin all year-round.\u00a0 Even in the snowy winter months the snow and ice can reflect UVB rays and damage your skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB and play a major part in the aging of our skin.\u00a0 Think wrinkle rays:)\u00a0 UVA rays can damage skin cells called keratinocytes. Basal and squamous cells are types of keratinocytes.\u00a0 UVA rays can contribute to and possibly initiate the development of skin cancers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n