PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY MAY HEALTH TIP

May is Melanoma/skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation can also come from tanning booths or sunlamps. The most dangerous kind of skin cancer is called melanoma. The good news? Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early – even melanoma. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to prevent skin cancer or detect it early on. To help you remember some of the basic sun safety tips, the American Cancer Society has adopted this simple message: SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! WRAP! SLIP on a shirt. Clothing is one of the most effective protections against UV radiation. SLOP on sunscreen. Sunscreens absorb, reflect, or scatter most but not all UV rays before they can penetrate the skin. SLAP on a hat. For the most protection, wear a hat with a brim wide enough to shade your face, ears, and back of your neck. Look for hats made of tightly woven fabrics such as canvas. Avoid loose weaves, particularly straw hats with holes that allow sunlight through. WRAP on sunglasses. Sunglasses protect your eyes, your eyelids, and the delicate skin around your eyes from UV rays. They also reduce the risk of cataracts.