Consumer Reports dubs the sun “a mixed blessing.”
As a cancer benefits management platform, we couldn’t say it better.
The sun’s warm, golden rays are a welcome sight if you live in a colder climate and transition to summer months. Those rays, although providing you and your family with a natural source of vitamin D, can harm you no matter where you live or what the thermometer reads outside.
Children can get a sunburn easier than adults because of more time spent outdoors and they just generally burn more easily. The American Cancer Society guides that “babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from the sun using hats and protective clothing.”
Even with the positive benefits of limited sun exposure, “including stronger bones, better sleep, improved mood, and a healthier immune system,” there are significant reasons to take the sun’s risk seriously (Consumer Reports).
And according to a JAMA study, many Americans aren’t taking sun protection measures. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Sunburns can happen so frequently and easily…
…that it might not seem like a concern, but “even getting just one sunburn every two years, according to Cancer Research UK, can triple your risk of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer” (Consumer Reports).
To make an informed decision about what precautions to take for sun protection, check the UV index before going outside.
The sun’s UV rays are what’s dangerous, and they are present no matter the season. UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight saving time.
- When checking the weather online, many weather reports will include the current and hourly forecasted UV index.
- If you have a smartwatch, see if the weather statistics include the UV index. On an Apple Watch, tap to view the weather and the UV index for your set location will appear right under the hourly forecast and air quality score. This is an easy, on-the-go way of checking if you should take sun safety precautions.
When the index is 3 or higher, take the following ways to protect yourself from the sun (recommended by the CDC):
- Stay in the shade.
- Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around the block both UVA and UVB rays.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor *SPF) of 15 or higher.
If you notice abnormalities, talk to your primary care physician. They can recommend you to a dermatologist who will evaluate the area(s) in question. You know your body best, so if something is questionable, reach out and find answers. While it may feel scary to get it checked out, this knowledge can empower you to make informed decisions, bring peace of mind, and catch a disease in earlier stages if not ignored.
