Sun safety tips from Ohio State skin cancer experts

With spring in full swing, Ohio State dermatologists are sharing tips to help you can stay safe in the sun.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S., including approximately 76,000 cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease.

Fortunately, there are easy ways to significantly reduce your chances of developing skin cancer without the need to avoid golfing, grilling or other outdoor activities. Here are some prevention practices you can use to have fun in the sun without sacrificing skin safety.

Choose the right sunscreen

Sunscreen is one of our most important tools for reducing skin cancer risk, but all products are not the same.

When choosing between sunscreens, FDA experts recommend brands that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two ingredients that meet the organization’s GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective) classification.

"Sun protection comes from decreasing our exposure to UV rays, so sunscreen is extremely important when spending time outdoors,” says Merve Hasanov, MD, an oncologist and researcher at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. "This is especially true on sunny days, but UV rays can also come through when it’s cloudy."

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide protect users by blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays, causing them to reflect off the skin. Plus, because they’re minerals and not chemicals, they can reduce the risk of non-cancerous skin irritations that can arise from the use of some other sunscreens.

While the right sunscreen — applied the right way — can greatly reduce the risk of skin cancer, it’s not 100 percent effective at blocking UV rays. To provide an extra layer of protection, wear sun protective clothing and seek shade when possible.

“It’s also important to reapply sunscreen every 50-90 minutes while outside, depending on its SPF, and every time you get out of the water, since it can wash off,” Hasanov says.

Click to learn more about skin cancer, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at the OSUCCC – James.

Remember: tan = skin damage

Many of us grow up believing that tans are the safe side of sun exposure. But, while they may not cause the immediate pain of sunburns, tans are signs from our skin that something is wrong.

“The tanning of your skin is a sign of your skin cells desperately trying to protect themselves from further cancer-inducing damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays,” says Alisha Plotner, MD, a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This might surprise many people who believe that tanning can actually help prevent skin damage by conditioning the skin to better absorb UV rays. This “base tan” myth is widespread, but can lead to dangerous consequences if put into practice.

“There’s really no way to tan safely,” Plotner says. “Even if some of us like to think of tanned skin as healthy, it’s a sign of skin damage.”

Those who want the look of a tan without the UV exposure can turn to “sunless” products, which interact with surface skin cells to simulate the effects of tanning. While sunless tanners can provide a desired result without skin cancer risk, users should take care to avoid potential side effects.

“The main concern regarding artificial tanning products is with inhaling that product or getting it in other mucous membranes, so be sure to cover your eyes, nose and mouth during a spray tan,” Plotner says.

Click to learn about melanoma treatment at the OSUCCC – James.

Screening saves lives

 

Not all skin cancers can be prevented, but early detection can greatly increase the chances of survival.

 

The first skin screening step begins at home with regular self-exams. Dermatologists recommend the ABCDE method to identify possible areas of concern that should lead to follow-up testing by medical professionals:

 

Asymmetry: One half of the spot doesn’t match the other half.

Border: The edges of the mole are uneven or ragged.

Color: The spot has multiple colors, and the color pattern may be changing.

Diameter: The spot is six millimeters — the diameter of a typical pencil eraser—or larger.

Evolving: The spot or mole changes in shape, color or size.

 

Anyone who spots potential symptoms — or those who are at high risk — should be examined by experts, like those at the OSUCCC – James, who can identify and diagnose skin cancers and work with patients to develop comprehensive treatment plans. There are several innovative treatments available for all types of skin cancer, including surgeries, immunotherapies, topical treatments and more.

 

“Outcomes are improving because of the treatments and screenings we have developed,” Hasanov says. “And, we’re conducting research to bring more treatment and prevention options to patients in the future.”

 

Click here to learn more about The James Skin and Melanoma Center at The Ohio State University.