Fun-in-the-sun season is troubling dermatologists again.
"Our (skin cancer) patients are getting younger," said Dr. Mary Noel George, a dermatologist with DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton, Mo.
The American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons reports that melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the second most common cancer in women ages 20 to 29 and is increasing among all people younger than 30. The doctors say the cause is people spending too much time in the sun without taking precautions, as well as the use of tanning beds.
The medical community says all forms of skin cancers result primarily from too much sun.
Still, Consumer Reports found that 31 percent of Americans in a recent poll never use sunscreen or sun protection. Another 27 percent said they never or rarely use it on their children, even when they're in the sun for more than two to four hours.
The options for protection haven't changed much, the doctors said: use sunblocks, sunscreens and wear protective clothing.
All of the products reduce the amount of harmful ultraviolet A and B rays from reaching your skin. UVA and UVB rays both cause cancer, except UVA doesn't cause sunburn, but may cause wrinkling and aging of the skin.
THE BEST DEFENSES
Sunblocks - These contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide powders and are the most effective rub-on protection, says Dr. Scott Fosko, head of dermatology with St. Louis University Hospital. "That's the white blocker that you see on the noses of lifeguards," Fosko said.
Sunscreens - Chemicals rather than metals block or absorb harmful sun rays.
Clothing - Sun protective clothing generally is made from tight-woven fabrics. That type is more popular than chemically treated clothing because it stands up to washing. Special clothing often uses UPF rating, ultraviolet protection factor. UPF 50 means 1/50th of the suns rays penetrate the fabric.
Drs. Mary Noel George and Scott Fosko offered some suggestions for a sun-safe summer.
-Apply at least an ounce - the equivalent of a shot glass - of sunscreen over your body, even under clothing.
-Apply 30 minutes before getting into the sun so your skin can soak up your sunscreen.
-Reapply sunscreen generously about every two hours regardless of the labels and claims, even with water resistant sunscreen, because it can rub off.
-Use sunscreen all the time; much of the sun you get comes through car and house windows and from being outdoors for short periods.
-African-Americans need sunscreen, too. Melanoma kills a higher percentage of black people than whites - a 45 percent survival rate compared to 69 percent for whites, says the American Cancer Society.
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KNOW THE LABELS
SPF - Stands for sun protection factor. SPF 15 means you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than with no sunscreen without getting sunburned. The numbers aren't cumulative. SPF 15 blocks 92 percent of the rays responsible for sunburn. SPF 30 blocks 96 percent.
The limit - SPF 45 is about the maximum reliable protection, regardless of the labels, the doctors said.
Sun check - Gauge your need for SPF protection by the intensity of the sun, not the time you'll spend in the sun. High noon, no clouds and you need an SPF 45. SPF 15 is the recommended minimum for everyday use.
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(c) 2009, St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.