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Sun's Dangers More Than Skin Deep

Tribune photo by VICTOR JUNCO

These teenagers from the Clearwater area enjoy a beautiful Thursday at the beach. The school year had just ended for them and they didn't waste any time to work on their tan. From left: Alexa Holloway, 17; Maria Gianfilippo, 17; Justin Miles, 17; Carlo Ignacio, 16; and Brian McArdle, 17.

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By MARY SHEDDEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 6, 2008

It's hot outside, the kids are itching to go play at the beach, and you know everyone's epidermis needs some level of protection. But the latest news about skin safety is so overwhelming, sitting in a dark room seems the only safe option.

You're right to worry. "People who mean well often don't get the protection they need," says Vernon Sondak, division chief for cutaneous oncology at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America. At its simplest, it is the abnormal growth of skin cells and comes in three forms. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and affects the cells at the lowest layer of the epidermis, while squamous cell carcinoma affects the middle layer of the skin. Melanoma - the most serious and deadly form - attacks cells producing pigment. Nearly 54,000 people a year are diagnosed with this level of the disease, says the National Cancer Institute.

The more you know about the dangers of skin cancer, and the more you learn about how to protect yourself, the safer you and your loved ones will be.

Can Sun Exposure Boost My Vitamin D?

Recent research ties heading out in the sun to increased levels of Vitamin D, a key nutrient for bone strength, and that news has been embraced by those who use tanning beds to obtain a darker tone.

But the debate continues. For example, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that diet and supplements can be better sources of Vitamin D than sun worshipping.

"It's not an endorsement to go out in the sun every day. Ten to 15 minutes in the sun, twice a week is sufficient epidermis exposure for Vitamin D," says Neil Fenske, chairman of the University of South Florida's department of dermatology. "There's no doubt about it, sun exposure causes sun damage and wrinkling."

What Ingredients Should Sunscreen Include?

Sunscreens are the most well-known source of skin protection, but it seems every day a new product comes online suggesting it's the best available. SPF, or sun protection factor, numbers are standard on all sunscreens and address the level of protection from ultraviolet B - or medium-length light waves.

Worry less about the SPF number, which looks at the length of time between applications, and more about the spectrum of coverage, Fenske says. Make sure the sunscreen addresses both UVB and UVA, or longer light waves. Look for a combination of ingredients that are organic (absorbing) and inorganic (reflective) ingredients.

Organics like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation and dissipate it as heat, according to the Library of Congress. The old-school white lotions with zinc oxide or titanium oxide scatter UV rays off the skin.

How Do I Assess Blemishes and Moles?

Moffitt operates an annual sun safety bus tour, screening visitors to Tampa Bay Rays spring training games, and finds plenty of people who wonder or worry about their skin. About 15 percent of the 695 people screened this year were found to have a suspected skin cancer lesion or mole. Nearly 40 percent had other suspicious pre-cancerous lesions or moles.

Sondak says people who make a point of knowing their skin don't have to wait for their "mole patrol" to assess their skin. He says you should examine your skin in front of a mirror once a month and note any changes. Ask the ABCs of skin cancer: Is a mole or growth asymmetrical? Is its border irregular or notched? Does the mole's color vary in shades of browns, blues, red or black? Is its diameter larger than a pencil eraser? Is it elevated from the skin?

Will Special Clothing Make A Difference?

Any clothing that keeps the sun off your skin is good. Clothes designed with sunscreen in them, or with it washed in with a product like RIT Sun Guard additive, are likely to be more comfortable - and costly. That protection is better than sunscreen because it doesn't come off in the water, Fenske says.

The best advice may be to have two or three tightly-woven shirts to wear whenever you're gardening, fishing, playing golf or goofing around outside. A plain white T-shirt, for example, will provide protection comparable to sunscreen with an SPF of 6.

"If you can see through it, it's not giving you enough protection," Sondak says.

Are Kids More Sensitive To The Sun?

Between 75 percent and 80 percent of all lifetime exposure happens before a person turns 18 years old, both doctors say. That means parents have an enormous responsibility to cover up their kids and teach good sun safety habits. Children younger than 6 months shouldn't be exposed to the sun at all, Fenske says.

But this fact doesn't mean adults can blow off the risks. Research indicates that adults who avoid the sun lower their risk of skin cancer. More important to our vanity is the need to understand that sunburns and overexposure play a huge role in the advancement of wrinkles, Sondak says.

Will Eating Certain Foods Lower My Cancer Risk?

Observational research the past few years has proposed that eating bright-colored fruits rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of skin cancer. Sondak says while the concept isn't far-fetched, it's anything but conclusive.

"You want to eat tomatoes and mangoes? Knock yourself out. ... But we certainly don't know if that's going to curb cancer," Sondak says. Cover up instead, he cautions.

Are Some Body Parts More At Risk?

Yes and no. Any skin exposed to the sun is at risk. However, Fenske notes that a lot of patients he sees with skin cancers seem to overlook their ears and necks. Men forget a balding scalp, too. The nooks and crannies of the ear, Fenske says, are a common site for "dastardly cancers."

What Should I Pack For A Day At The Beach?

Seek shade. That includes umbrellas and blankets, which can buffer the bright reflections from the sand, Fenske says. Cover up with sun-protective clothing. Apply and reapply sunscreen to any exposed area.

"Sunscreen should never be the only line of defense," Sondak says.

Want to cover up from the sun and look great doing it? Here are some ideas to help you ward off the ravages of a hot summer day:

GEARING UP: STAY COOL, LOOK HOT

Glamorous Sun Guard

Imagine a Land's End catalog soaked in sunscreen. Sun Precautions (www.sunprotections.com) touts its Solumbra-brand shirts, skirts, pants and accessories for all-day sun protection, with a minimum of 30 SPF. Colorful prints and fashionable feminine options (such as the women's floral beach tunic, $89.95) offer a broader selection for sun-sensitive shoppers tired of dressing in boring pullovers.

Wet, Dry and Comfortable

Sunscreen never lasts in the pool, but shirts do. UV Skinz sells chemical-free swim shirts for the whole family. Short- and long-sleeve options offer a Uniform Protection Factor rating of 50, which the company claims blocks out more than 98 percent of the sun's harmful rays. Prices for the shirts vary from $24.95 to $42.95, depending on size and style. They're available at www.uvskinz.com.

Hot Heads

All hats are not made alike. There are a growing number of chapeaus today made with materials that maximize the sun protection factor. Wallaroo Hats, www.wallaroohats.com, has several new models this year, including the cowboy hat-inspired Duster ($36), and the Nantucket ($36) with its multicolored bands and wide 3-inch brim.

Ingesting Sun Protection

Craving sun protection? Head to your local produce stand. The Times of London recently reported that ingesting tomato juice or ketchup won't replace high-factor sunscreens, but they can add some protective action against premature skin aging and some skin cancers. Thank the carotenoids in tomatoes for the boost, say researchers at the First International Congress on Nutrition and Cancer.

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