Q: What is Summer Sun Safety?
A: Summers in Iowa offer plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the weather. Whether it is a farmer working his field or a family enjoying the State Fair, millions of Iowans will be out in the sun. It is important to get out and enjoy these activities, but it is also important to make sure you are doing so safely. The most common form of cancer in the United States is skin cancer. Melanoma, skin cancer’s most deadly form, claims one American life every hour. Earlier this month, The National Association of Broadcasters, in conjunction with the Entertainment Industries Council and the Sun Safety Alliance, began a national public service campaign relating to skin cancer. These groups distributed public service announcements to radio and television media hoping to raise awareness about skin cancer. The public service announcements also included simple safety measures that can reduce the risk of skin cancer. Children were a large focus of this year’s campaign. It is no secret that children spend the most time outside, so we must make sure they are protected from the sun when doing so. Parents can instill good habits in their children by helping them work on sun safety at a young age.
Q: What can I do to reduce the risk of skin cancer?
A:
The Sun Safety Alliance offers several simple steps that can reduce the risk of skin cancer. The group stresses that sunscreen with ultraviolet protection should be worn at all times while outdoors. Adults are encouraged to wear sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of at least fifteen while children should use a sun protection factor of thirty or more. The sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours to ensure protections and should be reapplied after swimming or toweling off. Protecting your eyes from the sun is also important. When purchasing sun glasses, you should always make sure the glasses have ultraviolet protection. Wearing a baseball cap or another hat with a large brim can protect both your eyes and face when out in the sun. Some of these activities seem simple and even second nature, however they are vitally important and can save lives. Putting these simple steps into practice will make sure Iowans, both young and old, have a fun and safe summer. For more information on sun safety visit www.sunsafetyalliance.org.