Skin Cancer Program
Protection is important for all people because damage from the sun can occur in just 15 minutes. Studies have shown that just a few severe sunburns during the childhood and/or adolescent years can increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
What you can do:
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For people over the age of 6 months, generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Sunscreen should offer both UVA and UVB protection, and should be reapplied every two hours, even on cloudy days, and especially after swimming.
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Wear protective clothing, such as a loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirt, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
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Limit time outside between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are the strongest.
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Seek or create shade.
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Take extra precautions around water, snow, concrete, glass, and sand which reflect the sun's rays.
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Take extra precautions on cloudy days when the sun's rays can still damage skin.
Infants under 6 months:
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Infants are at risk for sun damage because they have sensitive skin, an immature body system, and they are unable to communicate if they get too hot.
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***Important: Do not apply sunscreen on babies under the age of 6 months!***
You should not use sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age because sunscreen can impair the baby's ability to stay cool, sunscreens are made of chemicals so the exposure is higher for a newborn baby as compared to older children and adults, and lastly, most research on sunscreen has been performed on children 6 months and older. -
Keep your baby out of direct sunlight. If your baby is outside, protect them from the sun by keeping them in a shady area such as under an umbrella, a large tree, or the sun shade on a stroller.
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Protect your baby's skin by using wide brimmed hats, tight weave clothing, and light-weight long sleeves and pants.
Children 6 months and older:
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Once children are 6 months old, sunscreen can be used, however, you should still limit sun exposure especially during peak hours (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
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Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Play close attention to the ears, lips, nose, and area around the eyes. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outside, and reapplied every 2 hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
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Protect your children's eyes by having them wear sunglasses. Large, wrap-around glass provide the most protection. Buy sunglasses that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen:
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Many different types of sunscreen are available: lotions, spray, sticks, creams, and lip balm.
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An expensive brand of sunscreen does not provide any better protection than a cheaper brand of sunscreen.
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Many people do not use enough sunscreen. They end up getting burned and then think the sunscreen doesn't work. In fact, most people do not use enough sunscreen. Generally, if you use enough sunscreen, you should not have any left over from summer to summer. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be using several bottles per summer.
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Buy a sunscreen that is "broad spectrum": protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.
No Sun for Baby
Exposure to the sun's rays can harm your baby's skin. Too much sun early in life can lead to serious health problems later, including a skin cancer called melanoma. The No Sun for Baby program highlights the importance of sun protection for children of all ages, but also educates parents and caregivers not to use sunscreen on babies under the age of 6 months.
Click on the links below to see some No Sun for Baby materials:
Team Sun Safety
Team Sun Safety Factsheet:
English Español
Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Environmental Protection Agency
Advisory Group
An advisory group has been formed to address skin cancer in this region. Please contact the program coordinator if you are interested.
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2013 Meeting Schedule |
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June 13 September 12 October 10 November 14 |
8:30-9:30 a.m. |