People in Washington, DC, know more about sun safety than residents of other US cities, according to a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology. The professional group polled adults in 32 US cities and regions to see just how savvy Americans are when it comes to sun protection and lowering their risk for skin cancer.
"Based on our initial review of what people are currently doing, know, and believe about sun protection, 35% of the national public score above average, with grades of A or B," says Diane R. Baker, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The goal, she added, is to have 45%-50% of Americans in the above-average range.
The "RAYS: Your Grade" survey, which was conducted online, included more than 3,000 men and women. Some of the questions focused on attitudes, asking participants to agree or disagree with statements like: "People look more attractive with a tan," "Sun exposure is good for your health," and "I am concerned about skin cancer and feel it's important to protect myself."
Other questions focused on habits like when people apply sunscreen, where they use it, and how often they check their skin for suspicious moles. The survey also asked participants to judge the accuracy of statements like: "You can get sunburned on cloudy days" (true); "Tanning beds are safer than the sun" (false); and "You don't need to use sunscreen if you have dark skin or already have a tan" (false).
Skin Cancer a Risk Even in Cloudy Climates
Forty-seven percent of survey respondents in Washington, DC, scored an A or B on the survey, putting the city at the top of the sun-savvy list. Rounding out the top 5 (in descending order): New York City, Miami, Tampa, and Los Angeles.
Chicago, where only 21% of respondents got an A or B, came in last. Nearly half of respondents there said they don't worry too much about sun exposure because of their skin type, and 41% said they prefer to enjoy sunshine and not worry about protecting themselves from it. But sun protection is important for people of all skin types. While it's true that people with fair skin are more susceptible to skin cancer, this disease can strike people with any skin tone.
Forty percent of Chicago respondents said their city's climate was a key reason they didn't worry about skin cancer.
Yet people in all parts of the country are at risk, experts say. Damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun can penetrate through clouds and fog, and be reflected off water, snow, and sand.
"The notion that only people living in year-round sunny climates are prone to developing skin cancer is completely untrue," says Baker. "The bottom line is that everyone needs to be concerned about protecting themselves from skin cancer, no matter where you live."
Use Sunscreen, Cover Up
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from sun damage:
* Before you go outside, even if you're only staying out briefly, generously apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. Choose a product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and be sure to apply it correctly: cover all exposed skin and don't be stingy with the amount you use.
* Wear protective clothing -- long sleeves, pants, and hats -- when you're in the sun. And don't forget sunglasses that block UV rays. Your eyes need protection from the sun, too.
* Stick to the shade when you're outside. Limit your outdoor time between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when sunlight is most intense.
* Stay away from tanning beds and sunlamps. The light from these devices can harm your skin, too, and put you at risk of developing skin cancer.
Even if you follow all the recommendations for protecting your skin, it's still important to check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer.
* Look for any new growths, spots, bumps, patches, or sores that don't heal after 2 or 3 months.
* Check for melanoma using the ABCD rule.
* Watch for any changes to existing moles or freckles: redness, swelling, itching, tenderness, bleeding, oozing, scaliness, or bumps.
If you find anything suspicious, show it to your doctor. Also, get your doctor to check your skin as part of your routine cancer-related check-ups.
source : health.yahoo.com
"Based on our initial review of what people are currently doing, know, and believe about sun protection, 35% of the national public score above average, with grades of A or B," says Diane R. Baker, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The goal, she added, is to have 45%-50% of Americans in the above-average range.
The "RAYS: Your Grade" survey, which was conducted online, included more than 3,000 men and women. Some of the questions focused on attitudes, asking participants to agree or disagree with statements like: "People look more attractive with a tan," "Sun exposure is good for your health," and "I am concerned about skin cancer and feel it's important to protect myself."
Other questions focused on habits like when people apply sunscreen, where they use it, and how often they check their skin for suspicious moles. The survey also asked participants to judge the accuracy of statements like: "You can get sunburned on cloudy days" (true); "Tanning beds are safer than the sun" (false); and "You don't need to use sunscreen if you have dark skin or already have a tan" (false).
Skin Cancer a Risk Even in Cloudy Climates
Forty-seven percent of survey respondents in Washington, DC, scored an A or B on the survey, putting the city at the top of the sun-savvy list. Rounding out the top 5 (in descending order): New York City, Miami, Tampa, and Los Angeles.
Chicago, where only 21% of respondents got an A or B, came in last. Nearly half of respondents there said they don't worry too much about sun exposure because of their skin type, and 41% said they prefer to enjoy sunshine and not worry about protecting themselves from it. But sun protection is important for people of all skin types. While it's true that people with fair skin are more susceptible to skin cancer, this disease can strike people with any skin tone.
Forty percent of Chicago respondents said their city's climate was a key reason they didn't worry about skin cancer.
Yet people in all parts of the country are at risk, experts say. Damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun can penetrate through clouds and fog, and be reflected off water, snow, and sand.
"The notion that only people living in year-round sunny climates are prone to developing skin cancer is completely untrue," says Baker. "The bottom line is that everyone needs to be concerned about protecting themselves from skin cancer, no matter where you live."
Use Sunscreen, Cover Up
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from sun damage:
* Before you go outside, even if you're only staying out briefly, generously apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. Choose a product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and be sure to apply it correctly: cover all exposed skin and don't be stingy with the amount you use.
* Wear protective clothing -- long sleeves, pants, and hats -- when you're in the sun. And don't forget sunglasses that block UV rays. Your eyes need protection from the sun, too.
* Stick to the shade when you're outside. Limit your outdoor time between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when sunlight is most intense.
* Stay away from tanning beds and sunlamps. The light from these devices can harm your skin, too, and put you at risk of developing skin cancer.
Even if you follow all the recommendations for protecting your skin, it's still important to check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer.
* Look for any new growths, spots, bumps, patches, or sores that don't heal after 2 or 3 months.
* Check for melanoma using the ABCD rule.
* Watch for any changes to existing moles or freckles: redness, swelling, itching, tenderness, bleeding, oozing, scaliness, or bumps.
If you find anything suspicious, show it to your doctor. Also, get your doctor to check your skin as part of your routine cancer-related check-ups.
source : health.yahoo.com
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