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The Baker County Health Department wants to remind everyone that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers of all. Baker County has the 8th highest skin cancer death rate of Florida’s 67 counties. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays appears to be the most important environmental factor in the progression of skin cancer. This makes skin cancer a largely preventable disease when sun protection measures against UV rays are used consistently. |
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Here’s what you can do to protect yourself: |
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Seek shade under a tree, umbrella or shelter | ||||||||||||||||||
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Cover up with light-weight clothing | ||||||||||||||||||
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Wear a hat to protect your face, scalp, ears and neck | ||||||||||||||||||
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Rub on sunblock with at least an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Wear sunglasses that deter UV rays, which can cause cataracts | ||||||||||||||||||
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Avoid the sun between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM (even on cloudy days). | ||||||||||||||||||
| Enlightening Facts | |||||||||||||||||||
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer has increased in the United States and more than one million new cases will be diagnosed this year alone. The incidence of malignant melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, has doubled in the past 20 years. Melanoma is more common than any non-skin cancer among people between 25 and 29 years old. |
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A survey by the American Academy of Dermatology shows that of the summertime sun protection used by adults for their children, many parents are not effectively protecting their kids from the harmful rays of the sun. They inadvertently may be increasing a child’s risk of developing melanoma during their lifetime. |
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| The Florida Department of Health encourages everyone to not only protect their skin, but to also get screened for skin cancer. For more information, call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER or go to the CDC’s website at: www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover. | |||||||||||||||||||
