This health tip is brought to you by Monica Lawry, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Sutter West Dermatology.

As spring fades into the long days of summer, we find ourselves spending more time outdoors. Enjoying the warm sun at baseball games, a visit to the park or a pleasant bike ride to the store seems to be just what our bodies need to escape the cocoon of winter. The sun is good for our bones and good for our mood, but it can be highly dangerous to our skin.

Exposure to the sun without protection is the main cause of skin cancer. It has also been linked to the premature breakdown of collagen under the skin, causing wrinkles. This process is known as photoaging.

With a tanning salon on every corner, skin cancer is on the rise and becoming a true epidemic. In fact, melanoma has increased more rapidly than any other cancer in the past 10 years, with approximately 1,800 deaths from melanoma reported in 2007. So why have these numbers increased so rapidly? The answer comes down to three major influences.

Tanning beds are the biggest culprits and have been proven to increase the chance of developing melanoma by 75%.

The average consumer applies about half the recommended dose of sunscreen meaning they applied an SPF of 20, but only received protection from an SPF of 10. Be sure to check the expiration dates because products lose potency if expired and reapply every 90 minutes while exposed to the sun.

Consumers are not using the correct type of sunscreen. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will provide the best and most complete form of protection. Also, take a look at the ingredients; zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are safe and highly effective ingredients. Finally, make sure you choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

The Sutter Cancer Centers
At Sutter Cancer Center, we understand that a diagnosis of cancer affects every aspect of a patient’s life and the lives of families, friends and coworkers. We also understand that every person who comes through our doors is completely unique and that dealing with cancer involves an individual’s mind and spirit, as well as the body. Through carefully designed programs delivered by certified professionals, we offer each patient and family the support necessary to meet cancer’s challenges.

Health Tip: Look As Young as You Feel
As we age, our skin changes. Over time, the natural volume of youthful skin begins to diminish as wrinkles and folds form. But now it's possible to look and feel younger. You don't have to just sit back and let it happen! You can restore confidence in your appearance and live a happier, healthier life. Visit checksutterfirst.org to read more.

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Published by Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region shssrwebmaster@sutterhealth.org

Copyright © 2008 Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region. All rights reserved. The Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region enewsletter is designed to provide useful information. Our website does not promote or sell products of any kind. We do hope that the information provided encourages the visitor to consider using the Sutter Health network for medical care, or that visitors might decide to join our organization as an employee, volunteer, or donor.