May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. As the hot sun of summer approaches, both work and play in the sun can be a threat to your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on the dangers and how to protect yourself from them.

When it comes to skin cancer prevention, everyone is at risk from exposure to the ultra-violet radiation in sunlight. But fair-skinned individuals, or those with a personal or family history of skin cancer, are at the greatest risk. To protect yourself in the sun, follow these guidelines:

Exposure

• Limit exposure during the most dangerous time of day, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Limit exposure by finding and using shaded locations.

Clothing

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sun glasses that wrap around blocking more sunlight.
• When working in the sun, stay hydrated and wear loose-fitting, light-weight clothing to cover as much skin area as possible.

Sunscreen

• Use a high-SPF sunscreen (SPF-15), and reapply it every two hours.
• Use it again after swimming or during periods of heavy perspiration.

Tanning beds

• Stay away from tanning beds and sun lamps. They can deliver higher concentrations of the dangerous UV rays than the sun, itself.

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