The sun can get so hot it feels like you might be baking inside an oven. You might want to tan ​or just enjoy the warm rays. Whether you're enjoying a warm day on the beach, hanging out ​with friends on a summer day, or simply driving in your car with the rays beaming down on ​one side of your body, this warm and pleasant feeling from the sun is enjoyable. However, ​too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing, so it's important to be in the sun in ​moderation and with adequate skin protection.

What is Skin Cancer and how does it develop?

According to the Worldwide Cancer Research, Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells ​that is divided into two main types: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Non-​melanoma skin cancer grows slowly in the upper layers of the skin and rarely spreads to ​other parts of the body. The second, and more dangerous, type of skin cancer is melanoma ​skin cancer. Melanomas can spread to other organs in the body. Over 80% of skin cancers are ​caused by overexposure to UV radiation. This includes UV rays from the sun.

Myths of Skin Cancer

Just like with many other things, there are some myths about skin cancer that people often ​believe. But thanks to science and years of research, we now know these aren't true.

• You don’t need to wear sunscreen on a cloudy day: The sun’s UV rays are a lot more ​persistent than you think. While clear skies tend to lead to the highest UV levels, up to ​90% of UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.
  

• A quick tan won’t hurt me if I’m not in the sun for too long: False. There is no such thing as a healthy suntan. Any change in your natural skin color is a sign of skin damage. Evidence suggests tanning greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer
  

• I need to get sun exposure to get vitamin D. Not True. You don’t need to bake in the sun to get vitamin D, we get this with everyday foods like Eggs, Milk, Cheese, and fish.
  

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Early Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

If you notice any new or changing spots on your skin that last for two weeks or longer, make sure to show them to your doctor. Information below is provided by the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

• A changes in the size, shape or color of an existing spot. These changes can vary greatly ​so there is no one way to describe how a skin cancer looks.
  
• A spot that is itchy or painful
  
• A non-healing sore that bleeds or develops a crust
  
• A red- or skin-colored shiny bump on the top of the skin
  
• A red rough or scaly spot that you can feel
  
• A growth with a raised border and central crust or bleeding
  
• A wart-like growth
  

Early stages of skin cancer often don't have symptoms. If you've had a lot of sun exposure ​and are noticing issues with your skin, talking to a doctor just to be safe might save your life!

Prevention Startegies

According to the CDC, you need to protect yourself from UV rays all year long, not just in the summer. UV rays can reach you even on cloudy or cool days, and they can bounce off surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. Just be mindful of your sun exposure and remember to wear sunscreen, even when it doesn't seem necessary.

Sources

CDC. (2024, July 1). Reducing Risk for Skin Cancer. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/skin-​cancer/prevention/index.html#:~:text=Wear%20clothing%20that%20covers%20your,SPF)%20of​%2015%20or%20higher

Mary. (2024, April 12). The most common misconceptions about skin cancer. American Society for ​Mohs Surgery. https://www.mohssurgery.org/blog/skin-cancer/the-most-common-​misconceptions-about-skin-cancer/

Skin cancer symptoms. (n.d.). MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancer-​types/skin-cancer/skin-cancer-symptoms.html

Skin cancer | How does the sun cause cancer? (2020, September 11). Be a Curestarter | Cancer Cures ​| Worldwide Cancer Research. https://www.worldwidecancerresearch.org/news-​opinion/2022/march/how-does-the-sun-cause-skin-cancer/

Skin experts. (n.d.). Skin Experts | American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.​ https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-cancer/skin-cancer-myths

Taschery, S. (2020, September 4). 10 skin cancer myths debunked. MD Anderson Cancer Center.​ https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/10-skin-cancer-myths-​debunked.h14-1592991.html

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