Practice Safe Sun Habits

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers according to the American Cancer Society. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. Over exposure to the sun, especially sunburn, is the cause of most of the more than one million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnosed annually in Americans.

Have fun in the sun, but remember to practice safe sun habits.

Here are some sun safety tips from the American Cancer Society.

When you are outdoors:

• Cover up as much as possible with a long-sleeved shirt and pants.
• Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and reapply after swimming, sweating, or toweling dry. (Note: Do not use sunscreens on babies younger than 6 months. Use hats, clothing, and shade to protect young babies from the sun.)
• Wear a hat that shades your face, neck, and ears.
• Wear sunglasses that block the UV rays.
• Limit sun exposure in the midday sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Parents, remember to protect your children`s skin as well from the sun.

Source: American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org