Calvert County Health Department
Skin Cancer Awareness
The Health Promotions staff is working to make Calvert County residents aware of the dangers of too much exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. One in five Americans is expected to get skin cancer in their lifetimes. Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States. While usually curable, skin cancer is a serious disease that can lead to death.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Try to stay out of the sun midday when ultraviolet rays are strongest.
- Cover up with wide brimmed hats and long sleeved shirts.
- Wear sunglasses with 100% of UVA and UVB protection.
- Use sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher about 30 minutes before going outside. Remember to reapply sunscreen after going into the water or at least every two hours. Use a lip balm with a SPF of 15 or greater.
- Make sure children six months and older are protected with sunscreen and hats. Use an umbrella at the beach or pool to avoid too much sun. Infants should always stay in the shade whenever outdoors.
- Protect yourself year-round when working or playing outdoors. You still need to use sunscreen in the winter on any exposed skin, particularly the face. Wear sunglasses.
Warning Signs of Skin Cancer:
- Sudden or progressive change in a mole’s appearance.
- A sore that doesn’t heal.
- A mole, bump, or nodule that is scaly, lumpy, crusting, or bleeding, or takes an irregular shape.
- Swelling, irritation, redness or spread of color into the skin near a mole, birthmark, or freckle.
- Dark, freckle like areas under a fingernail or toenail.
Learn more:
Maryland Skin Cancer Prevention Program 2013 Fact Sheet
Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Prevention
A Tan is not Worth the Trouble
Contact Info:
410-535-5400 x 348
Email: CommunityHealthCCHD@dhmh.state.md.us
Related Links:
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/skin-cancer-awareness
The Coalition for Skin Cancer Prevention in Maryland
http://www.healthymaryland.org/skin-cancer-prevention.php
http://www.sunguardman.org/
American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
Skin Cancer Foundation
www.skincancer.org
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma
Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation
www.melanomaresource.org
