Practice Safe Sun: It Saves Lives
by Joanne Eglash

"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy," sang John Denver in one of his country classics. Those warm, bright rays are an invitation to bask outside. Unfortunately, there's the danger of cancer. The good news: There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. In fact, the American Cancer Society says it estimates that approximately 90 percent of skin cancers could be prevented by proper protection from the sun's rays.

The American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation have developed a six-step approach to reducing the risk of sunburn and skin cancer (research suggests that melanoma occurs, in particular, on skin damaged by the sun):

1. Minimize your exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest.
2. Use sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply it to all areas of the body that are exposed to the sun.
3. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days and after swimming or perspiring.
4. Wear clothing that covers your body and shades your face.
5. Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sun lamps or tanning parlors.
6. Protect your children from excessive sun exposure when the sun is strongest, using sunscreen frequently and liberally on children 6 months and older. If your child is under 6 months, experts recommend limiting exposure to the sun as much as possible.

"Think of safe sun as a lifestyle: a mix of shade, clothing, and sunscreen," says Dr. Veronique Bataille, dermatology consultant at London's St. Bartholomew's Hospital and the Royal School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Advertisers boast that their sunscreen contains the "highest" SPF and thus provides "the most protection." Well, maybe.

Experts at the U.S.-based Mayo Health Clinic say most doctors agree you should choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The clinic set up these guidelines to help you decide if you should use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher:

• Skin tone — risk factors are higher for those with fair to light skin, and for those with freckles.
• How much time you spend in the sun — if you're going to spend a lot of time at the beach, you may want to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Where you live — the clinic says if you live or will be visiting an area near the equator or in high altitudes, where the sunlight is stronger, a high SPF is the way to go.

It's important to keep reapplying sunscreen, says Professor Irene Leigh, director of London's Imperial Cancer Research Fund Skin Tumour Laboratory and head of a St. Bartholomew's Hospital research center.

"The sun actually breaks down some of the protective ingredients in sun care," she says. "So your sun cream may be SPF 15 when you put it on, but that dwindles. You must keep reapplying — preferably every hour — or more often if you're swimming, playing sports, or playing with your children."

Joanne Eglash is a freelance writer specializing in health, fitness, nutrition, lifestyles, and sports. She is also the Fitness and Nutrition editor at Suite101.com.

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