Evelyn Bruder, Associate Broker, CRS,GRI,ABR
Steinborn & Associates
Real Estate 575-522-3698
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HOMES IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO
SKIN CANCER AWARENESS
SUNBURN AND SKIN CANCER UV radiation '
the invisible menace
The sun gives off many different types of radiation. As well as visible light or sunlight, there is invisible radiation known as ultraviolet radiation or 'UV'. UV is not warm; we can neither see nor feel it. We can, however, see the damage it causes for it is these rays that penetrate the skin and cause ageing, wrinkles, discoloration, sunburn and even skin cancer.
UV is made up of UVA and UVB. These are present every day and can rise to extreme levels during our warm, sunny days. Contrary to common belief, both UV types cause skin damage and increase your risk of developing both common skin cancer and melanoma.
SUNBURN
Almost all Americans will have experienced a painful dose of sunburn at some stage in their lives.
One bad sunburn can double a child's risk of contracting skin cancer later in life.
Sunburn is your skin's reaction to ultraviolet radiation or 'UV'. Step outside without any form of protection, and UV (both UVA and UVB) will immediately start to penetrate deep into the layers of your skin. In reaction to UVB, the top layers of your skin will release chemicals that cause your blood vessels to expand and leak fluids, causing inflammation, pain and redness'otherwise known as sunburn. This type of damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes.
UVA penetrates deeper into the skin, affecting the living skin cells that lie under your skin's surface. It is these rays that cause longer-term damage like wrinkles, blotchiness, sagging and discoloration while also laying the ground work for future cases of skin cancer.
Damaged skin cells will self-destruct and peel off. Although peeling is unsightly, it is actually your body's way of getting rid of damaged skin cells that could potentially develop into cancers.
All types of sunburn, whether serious or mild, can cause permanent and irreversible skin damage. Further sunburn only increases your risk of developing skin cancer. By being aware of these facts and protecting your skin every day, you can avoid sunburn and lower your risk of skin cancer.
SKIN CANCER Basal Cell Carcinoma
**Most common and least dangerous skin cancer
**Appears as a lump or scaling area
**Red, pale or pearly in colour
**As it grows it may become ulcerated like an unhealing sore or one that heals then breaks down again
**Grows slowly, usually on the head, neck and upper torso
 Squamous Cell Carcinoma
**Not as dangerous as melanoma but may spread to other parts of the body if not treated
**A thickened red, scaly spot. Later it may bleed easily or ulcerate.
**Appears on sites most often exposed to the sun.
**Grows over some months
 Melanoma
**The deadliest skin cancer
**If untreated, cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.
**Appears as a new spot, or an existing spot, freckle or mole that changes colour, size or shape
**Usually has an irregular or smudgy outline and is more than one colour.
**Grows over weeks to month, anywhere on the body (not just in places that get a lot of sun)
Skin cancers form when skin cells are damaged by UV penetrating the skin. Each cell carries DNA or genetic material that 'tells' each cell what it is, when to develop and when to die. UVA disrupts your cells' DNA and can cause them to mutate and grow abnormally. If these mutant cells are not destroyed by your body's natural defence systems they will continue to develop and can turn into skin cancers.
Skin cancer rates have been increasing steadily in the last two decades. Sunburn is not the only cause of skin cancer. Tanning or just too much sun exposure, year after year, can also lead to people developing the disease. New Mexico and Arizona have some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the US because of our direct sunlight and our outdoor living style.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT...Skin cancer is very easy to prevent and can be treated successfully in 95% of cases if detected early.
SUN PROTECTION TIPS * SHADE
* CLOTHING
* HATS
* SUNGLASSES
* SUNSCREEN
 SHADE
Seeking shade is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from the sun. At all times, shade should be used along with other forms of protection to ensure you have the best level of protection from the sun.
CLOTHING
Appropriately designed clothing is great for protecting you from the sun. Steer clear of shorts and tank tops and choose clothes that cover the arms, legs and neck to ensure you are properly protected. Go for long sleeves, collars and if possible long pants or skirts. You won't get hot or uncomfortable if you choose lightweight fabrics like cotton, hemp or linen.
Tests on clothing show that most polyester/cotton and cotton clothing items protect against 95% of ultraviolet radiation. Some factors can reduce the UV protection of your clothing. If your clothing gets wet, fades or is a few years old, its ability to shade against UV will be reduced.
 HATS
Hats are the simplest, cheapest form of sun protection and can be worn everyday.
Follow these simple steps to get into the hat habit:
* Choose a style that you like. Stylish, funky or dapper headwear will not only look good, you are more likely to want to wear it.
* Choose a hat with a broad brim. Baseball caps, visors or small peaked hats will not protect your face or neck.
* Choose a hat made from a close-weave fibre: if you can see through it then the sun will get through.
*
Make sure your hat is comfortable and fits well enough not to blow off when you are outdoors.
Hats can protect you from ultraviolet radiation from above but not from reflected radiation. Remember to wear sunglasses and sunscreen on your face and neck to increase your level of protection.
SUNGLASSES Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses offer excellent protection for your eyes. Like your skin, your eyes are at risk of damage and trauma if exposed to too much UV radiation or 'UV'.
Look for lens that block out at least 95% of UV. Check the tag on sunglasses before purchasing. You don't need to spend a fortune to ensure your sunglasses will protect you, in fact some of the cheaper brands have been proven to be the best in the market.
Correct use of sunglasses should begin during childhood, but no one is too old to begin wearing them. If you wear corrective lenses you should add UV-protective coating or obtain prescription sunglasses if you spend significant periods outside. You can buy protective shades to attach to your glasses or sunglasses that you can wear over your corrective lenses.
Other factors can improve the functions of your sunglasses but not their ability to screen out UV. Polychromatic or coloured glasses are less effective in blocking out UV. Polarizing lenses reduce glare substantially and are favored by many people for comfort, but polarization itself has little effect on the UV-absorbing properties of lenses. Similarly, mirror finishes by themselves do not significantly reduce UV absorption.
Lens shape and contour should also be considered. Wrap-around style glasses give almost complete protection, whereas regular frames still let up to 5% of UV reach the eyes.
SUNSCREEN
Sunscreens protect the skin in two different ways, by reflecting UV away from the skin and by absorbing UV before it can penetrate your skin. In essence, sunscreen is a chemical barrier that protects your skin.
Hundreds of varieties and brands of sunscreen are now on the market for you to choose from. When choosing a sunscreen that will protect you, there are a few things you should know:
No sunscreen offers 100% protection from the sun's damaging UV. Even with sunscreen, UV will still get through to the fragile upper and lower layers of your skin.
Sunscreen should always be used in conjunction with other forms of protection like hats, sunglasses, clothing and shade.
Sun protection factor (SPF) 30+ sunscreen offers you maximum protection from the sun, blocking out 96% of UV. SPF 15+ will block out 93%. Using SPF 30+ instead of SPF 15+ does not mean you can safely double the amount of time you spend in the sun. Never use sunscreen to extend the amount of time you would normally spend in the sun.
For sunscreen to be effective at protecting you from sunburn, slop it on 20 minutes before going outside. This gives the protective elements in sunscreen time to bond to your skin. Don't rub it in, a light film should stay visible. Remember to reapply every two hours or more regularly if swimming or sweating a lot.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. You should also try to buy sunscreens that are labelled 'Broad Spectrum' as they will protect you from both types
 Protect Children from the Sun
One bad sunburn can double a child's risk of contracting skin cancer later in life. Keep them covered up with clothing, hats and sunglasses, in the shade and apply sunscreen daily to children over 6 months. Infants are not sufficiently developed to metabolize sunscreen chemicals safely. It is recommended that sunscreen not be used on babies less than 6 months old. Specific questions about using sunscreen on babies should be directed to your pediatrician.
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