Recently I have had more than a few clients have to be tested for skin cancer. As we all head outdoors to enjoy the nice weather I just thought it would be prudent to remind everyone that the name of the game with skin cancers is “Prevention”, so plan ahead.
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. In the U.S., accounting for almost half of all cancers and affecting over 2 million people each year. One in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinomas are the most common type of skin cancer. They rarely spread to other areas of the body, and are very treatable.
Squamous cell carcinomas, on the other hand, can spread to organs and other areas in the body and can be fatal if they are not caught early.
The third type of skin cancer, melanomas are the least common but most dangerous-they kill more than 8,600 Americans every year.[5] If found early, however, melanomas can be treated. Melanomas are most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds. They usually resemble moles and are often black or brown. Most change over time, including an increase in size. In recent years, incidence of melanoma has increased significantly, especially in those with fair skin. While melanoma is more prevalent in men than women, rates of diagnoses and death are increasing for both men and women.
Studies show that high Intensity training outdoors can increase your chances for skin cancer.
In 2006, Dr. Christina Ambros-Rudolph and colleagues at the Medical University of Graz in Austria conducted a study to see if marathon runners are at higher risk of melanoma than people who don’t run as regularly. They examined over 200 runners and found that they are at increased risk for skin cancer. In fact, runners who trained the most intensively had the highest rates of skin lesions. Almost all of the athletes wore shirts and shorts that did not totally cover their arms, back and legs, and only 56% wore sunscreen. Although there was a clear link between sun exposure and skin lesions, the researchers found another reason the athletes who had more intense workouts were more prone to skin cancer. Endurance exercise such as long-distance running suppresses immune function in the body, which is why extreme athletes are often more susceptible to infections than others. This can release a type of protein called cytokines, limiting the ability of the body’s immune system to fight off potential cancers. In addition, sweating a lot while outside is linked to skin cancer. The wetter your skin, the more UV rays are absorbed, which means that exercising on sunny days can be much more dangerous for your skin than just sitting or lying down in the sun.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone wears a water-resistant sunscreen of at least 30 SPF daily. Until 2012 the FDA did not regulate SPF in sunscreen so there was no idea if the stuff you were slathering on was doing you any good what so ever. Currently, Sunscreen companies are required to meet FDA requirements and have their products packaged properly. They recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both types of UV rays (UVA and UVB). When choosing a product, remember that a sunscreen with twice the SPF does not mean you can stay outside in the sun twice as long before you get sunburned. The intensity of UV radiation matters just as much as how long you are in the sun, which is why it’s so important that you limit your exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other precautions you can take are;
§ Put on some sunglasses with high UV absorption to protect your eyes, and a hat to protect your face.
§ Wear clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that you cannot see through. Try to avoid regularly exposing areas of your body such as your shoulders, neck and chest. To prevent overheating, wear light-colored clothing that reflects the sun’s rays.
§ Look for shade: try to do your stretches and other exercises in a shaded area.
