Can you believe that Friday is the first day of SUMMER! Goodness, where has the time gone?
Here in Southwest Louisiana, our Spring said hello and goodbye within the time frame of a few weeks. It feels as if we went from Winter straight through to Summer without warning.
If you followed my blog the past few weeks, I’m sure you noticed the stories of a horrific sunburn that I obtained while staining the deck in my backyard. I’m ashamed to say that I’m an Oncology nurse and I 100% know better. So, consider this your warning from me, the Oncology Nurse who doesn’t always follow the rules…ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN!
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 hour in the sun wearing SPF 30 sunscreen is the same as spending 2 minutes totally unprotected.
The American Cancer Society also coined a cute phrase that might be helpful to remember when out in the sun for a length of time – “Slip! Slop! Slap!… and Wrap”!
- Slip on a shirt.
- Slop on sunscreen.
- Slap on a hat.
- Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them.
While all four of these items are important individually, when used together they will provide optimal protection from the sun’s harmful UV Rays. Source: cancer.org
The most common form of cancer in the US is Skin Cancer and it accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. Risk factors for skin cancer (Melanoma and Non-Melanoma type) include:
- Unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (sunlight or tanning booths)
- Pale complexion (difficulty tanning, easily sunburned, natural red or blond hair color)
- Occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium
- You or other members of your family have had skin cancers
- Multiple or unusual moles
- Severe sunburns in the past
Source: cancer.org
I’ve had the chance to speak with patients being treated for skin cancer over the past few years and each one has told me the SAME thing…“I never wore sunscreen and I used to spend HOURS in the sun as a child”…
While following the ACS Guidelines will help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, it is not a 100% guarantee. ALWAYS take extra precaution when venturing out in the sun. Many companies offer a “Sport” based sunscreen but when choosing sunscreen, read the bottle. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is best and you should slather sunscreen on at least 20 minutes before you head out so that your skin has time to absorb the lotion. Also, running early in the morning will help prevent exposure.
Next time you are going for a mid-day run or even when having a fun day outdoors, remember
“Slip! Slop! Slap!… and Wrap”!
Do you wear sunscreen? I sometimes forget to apply before heading out the door – do you have any tricks that help you remember?
Anyone remember this “song”? I’m listening to the lyrics now and I realize WOW he had some good advice!
Good tips! I hope that sunburn is feeling better. I was (am) so fair that my mom always slathered me in sunscreen. I've gotten worse about it over the years, especially with running as I tend to build a base and get a slight tan by the end of summer.
ReplyDeleteThank you! My sunburn is so much better! :0)
DeleteThe only time I wear sunscreen is when I'm at the beach....horrible, I know. I don't really "lay out" in the sun, but I do go on long runs without any protection. Need to change that!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the only times I think to apply it as well. I need to make it a habit!
DeleteGreat post Karen. Anyone that spends time outdoors needs to heed your advice. I apply sunscreen to my face every morning and a hat and sunglasses are a must for many of my outdoor activities.
ReplyDeleteThanks! That's great, Pam!! :0)
DeleteI carry a travel-size container of sunscreen in my purse at all times, and yes, my parents made me wear sunscreen as a kid. I am extremely fair, and my grandfather had to have moles removed as a precaution because he was out in the sun a lot before sunscreen.
ReplyDeleteThat's so smart!! What a great idea!
DeleteGreat advice Karen! Happy Running! Keli :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!! :0)
Deletegreat tips, I am so fair skinned and I hate the feeling of sunscreen, I don't always put it on when I should. I have started wearing a hat more though. When I was working for my dad in high school on the ranch I would wear long sleeve shirts and big hats everyday, I was so much better about it then than I am now.
ReplyDeleteGreat that you covered your skin from the sun for so long! I know what you mean about the feeling of sunscreen...I'm still trying to find a sport based one that love!
DeleteGreat reminders! I'm so pale, I'm practically translucent so sunscreen is a MUST for me! I can't believe its so hot and humid already! I dread being in Southern Louisiana this time of year. I miss the winter!
ReplyDeleteI can't either...so crazy how fast the weather changed! Thanks! :0)
DeleteI spent most of yesterday in the pool and didnt reapply as often as I should, so ended up rather red - today I will be making sure I slap it on more often.
ReplyDeleteI had a bad experience in Cuba on our honeymoon with sunburn and I never want to feel like that again
Thanks for the reminder and advice
Uhoh! Definitely guilty of that as well! You're welcome! :0)
DeleteThanks for the tips! Though I miss running outside, I do pat myself on the back that I'm not in the sun when I run on the indoor track!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to avoid sun exposure while still getting in a run! Great job! :0)
DeleteI cover myself in sunscreen because I am so pale. I also limit my time in the sun a lot.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Abby!! :0)
DeleteCute reminder! Thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome! :0)
Delete