July is Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Awareness Month and while we are outside enjoying those warm summer rays, let’s talk this month about sun safety.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and understanding how to protect ourselves from harmful UV rays and sun exposure plays an important role in skin cancer prevention.
What is UV Radiation?
There are two types of UV rays, UVA and UVB. Each can contribute to skin cancer so it’s important to understand that neither are safe and it’s best to protect ourselves against all UV rays. The best way to limit exposure is to understand factors that impact UV ray exposure.
The strength of UV rays is determined by several factors which include: what season it is; how far you are from the equator; what time of day it is; how cloudy the day is; the reflection of the UV rays; and your altitude – the higher the altitude the more exposure to UV rays.
Check the UV Index in your Area
All of these factors play a role in determining what is known as the UV Index. The UV index is a scale from 1 to 11+ that indicates how strong the UV rays are for that day. The higher the number, the stronger the UV rays. Next time you are listening or reading the weather forecast, pay attention to the UV index; it is typically strongest during the middle of the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Knowing the UV index is a good way to determine when you should be outdoors that day or what type of precautions you should take before heading outside.
While being mindful of the UV index it is also important to know the other ways you can protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
Six Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun
- Seek shade as much as possible, especially during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Use sunscreen as often as possible and be sure to apply it correctly. Using and reapplying a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every 2 hours is ideal.
- Be sure to wear clothes that cover your skin. Dry clothing with long sleeves that is made with UV protection is best.
- Wearing a hat is another way to protect yourself. One that covers your ears, forehead, nose, scalp and ears with a 2-3-inch brim will work best.
- While many of us already know that avoiding tanning beds is best, it is worth repeating since tanning beds can be particularly harmful and cancer causing.
- Wear sunglasses. Many people don’t realize that it’s important to protect your eyes from the sun as well. Sunglasses that are large framed or wraparound on the sides can offer the most protection. Eye damage from the sun can put you at greater risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, or eye growths that can lead to cancer. Be sure to protect your eyes!
Spend Time With Family and Friends
While it’s important to protect ourselves against harmful UV rays, we must also remember that it’s important to get outside and enjoy the sun. The outdoors is a wonderful way to connect with family and friends and get fresh air — both of which help our mental and physical health.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Following these tips will help you enjoy the outdoors all year long. We encourage you to reach out to us at VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services (1-888-26VITALity or 1-888-268-4825) if you have any questions or comments.
Until next time, stay healthy, safe, and well!
UV Index Scale
