Being 'Sun Safe' Is Key to Enjoying Summer, Say Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network

DETROIT, July 1 -- Summer is a great time to be outside enjoying the sun's warmth, but there are some rules you should follow to avoid overdoing a good thing over the Fourth of July holiday and throughout the season, say Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network.

The days of lying in the sun for hours on end to get that "healthy tan" are as old-fashioned as the Model T. Prolonged and repeated exposure to the sun used to be the recipe for a good tan. Physicians now know that tanning now leads to cancer later, and that research shows that even five sunburns can lead to prematurely aged skin, wrinkles and doubling your risk of developing skin cancer as well.

Burning can occur in as little as 15 minutes. Skin type is the most important determinant in your risk for burning and sun damage. The more fair- skinned, the more apt you are to burn. More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and most are preventable.

Research also shows that cancer can show up years after a tan or burn. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that 60 to 80 percent of sun exposure occurs before we turn 18. The more sunburns you experience, the more likely you are to develop skin cancer. This is especially important for sun worshippers younger than age 18.

Visiting a tanning salon, used by more than 1 million Americans daily, isn't the answer, either. Tanning is the skin's response to danger, and the more you tan, the more damage is done to skin in the form of premature aging and increased skin cancer risk.

So, what can you do to reduce your risk? You can avoid outdoor activities in direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are strongest, but since that is often hard to do in summer, there are other steps to take.

* The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that protects against both UVA rays that penetrate deeper into the skin and cause wrinkling and contribute to skin cancer and UVB rays that produce sunburns and contribute to skin cancer. Apply 30 minutes before you go outside and every 90 minutes thereafter.

Even waterproof sunscreens should be reapplied. Apply to especially vulnerable areas including top of head, ears, back of neck, nose and cheeks, backs of hands and forearms. Remember, the sun's rays can still reach you even on overcast days. One ounce per application is generally considered to be enough.

* Children may need help applying a sunscreen, and infants should not have any prolonged sun exposure.

* Wear a wide-brimmed hat that protects the head, neck and ears against the sun. Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants when exposed to the sun for long periods, and wear sunglasses with UV protection. Seek shade when possible, especially during the time of highest ultraviolet radiation, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

* See your doctor if you notice any new skin growths or changes in size, color or texture of moles or birthmarks. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma, the sixth most common form of cancer in men. This potentially life-threatening form frequently appears as a dark brown or black mole-like growth, usually on the upper back of men and women, the chest of men and the lower legs of women. If caught early, it is highly treatable and can be cured by surgery.

  Look for the "A, B, C, Ds" of danger in moles:
  --Asymmetry - the shape of one half does not match the other
  --Border irregularities, including notches or ragged edges

--Color variations, or changes in color over time, and moles that may be deep blue-black in color

--Diameter, any mole greater than one-quarter inch

Any rapidly enlarging or bleeding mole also could be dangerous. If in doubt, see a dermatologist. Early diagnosis and treatment could save your life or that of a loved one.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, provides health care benefits to just over 4.7 million members through a variety of plans: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue PPOs; Blue Choice Point of Service; Blue Care Network HMO, and Blue HSA(SM) plans compatible with health savings accounts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit http://www.bcbsm.com/ .