Despite our overcast climate, Northeast Ohioans still need to protect themselves from sun's harmful rays
Sunshine and vitamin D are important to our physical and mental health, especially in Northeast Ohio, where gray skies dominate.
Exposure to the sun lowers blood pressure, improves sleep quality, reduces stress and anxiety and even helps battle depression.
But over exposure-and failing to protect your skin-can have devastating results. Even in Northeast Ohio, where overcast skies are prevalent about seven months of the year, according to Weather Spark.
Despite the gray, you may still be at risk from the sun's damaging rays. Harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation can still pass through clouds, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
In particular, the risk is skin cancer-the most common type of cancer in the United States, with more than 5.4 million cases diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society. But it's also among the most preventable forms of the disease-which is why wearing sun protection throughout the year is essential.
"We are seeing an alarming increase in melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer in Northeast Ohio," said Gary Schwartz, director of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) and vice dean of oncology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "In fact, the incidence of melanoma in our region exceeds that of the entire United States, and the death rate is 10% higher according to our studies. We don't know why, but we do know that the best way to prevent melanoma is to use sunscreen."
To help residents protect themselves this summer, the Case CCC is launching a campaign called "Stop the Burn," providing dispensers and kiosks with free sunscreen throughout Lorain County Metro Parks, the City of Lorain and the Cuyahoga County cities of Parma, Strongsville, Mayfield Village, Euclid and Westlake.
In the meantime, Case CCC offers the following tips to help prevent skin cancer:
1. Wear sunscreen.
Every two hours, broadly apply sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. After swimming, or if you sweat a lot, reapply more frequently. SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97% of ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Sunburns are mostly caused by UVB rays, which have shorter wavelengths.
2. Wear sun-protective clothing, sunglasses and a wide-brim hat.
The ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of clothing designed for sun protection measures the percentage of UV rays that pass through the fabric. For instance, clothing with a UPF of 50 lets only 1/50th, or 2%, of UV radiation reach the skin. To protect your face and ears, wear sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.
3. Avoid the sun during peak hours.
Avoid the sun or seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest. Planning outside activities can be aided by the UV index, which gauges the intensity of UV radiation.
4. Avoid tanning beds.
Every year, about 7.8 million Americans-mostly teenagers-visit tanning salons. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, using tanning beds before age 20 increases the risk of melanoma by 47%.
5. Recognize lesions suspicious for skin cancer.
Precancerous or early stages of many skin cancers are detectable. See a board-certified dermatologist if you see any new or changing spots on your skin, especially if they hurt, bleed, or look different from existing areas.
