July Is UV Safety Awareness Month

UV Radiation Can Cause Skin Cancer - July Is The Month We Remind Ourselves To Stay Safe

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, but Dr. Shyamali Singhal, surgical oncologist and founder of H&B, says it is also important to remember to protect our skin throughout the whole year. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), ultra-violet (UV) radiation exposure is the root cause of most skin cancers. Let’s begin with some basic terms: what is ultraviolet radiation? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation are invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays is known to cause damage to the skin and it can certainly cause different types of skin cancer. It’s always important to stay safe when your family is playing in the sun. While it may seem like a sunburn is just a mild nuisance, it can leave long-lasting damage to the skin. According to some studies, even just one blistering sunburn during childhood can double the chances of developing melanoma later in life. With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to head outdoors and enjoy the sun and warmth. But are you protecting yourself from potential risks?

Prolonged Sun Exposure Can Cause Different Kinds Of Skin Problems

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named July as Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month. The goal is to spread the word about how important it is to protect everyone’s skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. This presents a teaching opportunity for oncology nurses and their patients—not just during July but all year long. 

Extended sun exposure creates the likelihood of many negative health effects in the eye, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and growths on the eye, including cancer. The sun's effects are fundamentally related to the ultraviolet rays it produces. These ultraviolet rays, specifically the ones called UV-B rays - which cause the most damage to the human body, are an invisible form of radiation and are able to penetrate human tissue and cause harm. UV rays are accountable for 90% of tissue damage – to both the skin and the eyes. The areas of the eye that are usually damaged include the surface tissue, the cornea, and the lens. There is also the likelihood of cosmetic changes to the eye, including tumors and lesions to the white part of the eye, which may demand surgical treatment and/or removal.

UV Light Is A Form Of Radiation

Most people don’t recognize that UV light is just another form of radiation. By definition, radiation is the discharge of energy from any source. Radiation has many different types, but UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. The main source of UV radiation is the sun, although it can come from man-made sources such as tanning beds and welding torches. Radiation exists across a spectrum from very high energy, such as x-rays and gamma rays, to very low energy, such as radio waves. UV rays have more energy than visible light, but not as much energy as x-rays.

The sun emits radiation in the form of UV light, which is classified into three types by wavelength: UVA, UVB, and UVC. The ozone layer is a protective layer in Earth’s stratosphere that blocks all UVC light, but UVB and UVA light pass through it. UVA penetrates deeply into the skin. It’s the type of UV radiation that causes wrinkling or leathering of the skin. UVB is the type of radiation that causes sunburns. Exposure to both UVA and UVB is associated with the development of skin cancer, so it is important to protect the skin during exposure to sunlight.

Don’t Forget To Protect Your Eyes!

UV radiation is at its highest when and where the sun’s rays are the strongest. This means that UV levels will be highest around noon on a clear sunny day, even more so during the summer months. UV levels will also be highest near surfaces that reflect sunlight, such as snow or sand, and it’s more pervasive at higher altitudes.

Guarding your eyes against harmful UV rays is not difficult. The easiest solution is something that most people already practice – the use of sunglasses. The key is to find sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection. Glasses in a wrap-around style are also a great idea so that UV rays cannot enter from the side. If sunglasses are your preferred method of protection, remember that it is especially important to wear them in the early afternoon and when traveling at higher altitudes, where UV light is most intense. Hats with a broad edge are also an efficient form of UV protection. There are some contacts that offer UV protection, but that is limited and should be used in combination with other forms of defense against UV rays.

Enjoy The Sun, But Be Smart About It

While being in the sun can offer some health benefits, such as an uptake in vitamin D, it is important to talk to your health care provider about any particular risks you might face regarding exposure. And remember, be smart in the sun!

When you are outside this summer, whether it be at the beach, the ballpark or just playing in the backyard, don't forget to shield your eyes!

Many are scared by the term radiation. Many realize that radiation is dangerous, and it increases the risk of developing cancer. If people understand that sunlight is just a form of radiation, they may be favored to make a stronger push to evade exposure and lessen the risk of forming malignancy.