National Safe Sun Week was last week. As Americans set up for Memorial Day, health professionals suggest the most suitable practices in regards to sun exposure for people to participate in to ensure everyone is safe as they enjoy the sunny, warm weather.
Let’s Look Into National Safe Sun Week’s History
National Safe Sun Week’s intent is to encourage the fun of the summer while keeping people mindful of protection against the sun as sun damage and skin cancers are affecting some people across all skin tones. From this framework, National Safe Sun Week was created, according to National Today.
This “holiday” is said to incorporate a “care for the whole person” advance with devotion to honest and open communication revolving around sun protection. In this sun protection, the specific intent is to protect the skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
This protection encompasses reminding people to receive annual skin checks and providing advice and signs with instructions on “how to avoid other sun-related risks such as heat stroke, dehydration, and when it’s time to call the doctor.”
One of the major effects sun damage can have involves skin cancer, which is a real danger. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the most widespread form of cancer in the USA. Recent studies have revealed that recently developed cases of melanoma, a type of skin cancer that is common, “doubled between 1982 and 2011.” In this, the CDC suggests that by utilizing prevention programs, a predicted amount of 21,000 cases per year of this skin cancer can be evaded.
Useful Tips For Sun Protection
Some useful tips in regards to sun protection mentioned involve the following: apply sunscreen, reapply sunscreen (as you stay longer in the sun), and wear eye protection (like sunglasses that preferably block 99% or 100% of UVA & UVB rays).
Written by Ke’Lena Thomas
Edited by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
National Today: National Safe Sun Week May 23-29,2022
Featured Image Courtesy of Theo Crazzolara’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of barnyz’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
