Melanoma rates on the rise in Utah — are you doing enough to prevent it?

Melanoma rates on the rise in Utah — are you doing enough to prevent it?

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SALT LAKE CITY — In 2015, 22,441 people in the U.S. died from car crashes, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 9,874 of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

Meanwhile, an estimated 9,320 people will die of melanoma in the U.S. in 2018, according to skincancer.org.

Most Utahns use a seat belt every time they get into a car — but why are they not as diligent about preventing skin cancer? Despite public awareness, the most recent data show Utah’s melanoma rate is drastically rising every year, well above the national average.

Even if you wear sunscreen when you're outside during the summer, and get a sunburn maybe once a year, doctors and researchers agree: that's not enough.

Do you also:

  • use sunscreen year-round?
  • apply sunscreen throughout the day, even when you spend the majority of your time indoors?
  • know WHY you should reapply sunscreen throughout the day, every day?
  • make sure your kids have sunscreen on before and during the school day?
  • make sure you’re covered up when you’re outdoors?
  • stay out of the sun or stick to shaded areas when the sun's rays are most intense?
  • know the difference between UVA and UVB rays and know how to prevent damage from both?
If your answer to any of those questions is no, you’re not alone. The majority of Americans, especially teenagers, are indifferent to sun safety and don't use sunscreen. But it's not too late to change a lackadaisical attitude — the fix is simple.

It all comes down to awareness and a lifestyle change, says Dr. Matthew Mahlberg, a spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation and a board-certified dermatologist in Denver. He answered some questions for KSL.com about daily sun prevention, sunscreen use, and how Utahns can easily fit skin cancer prevention into their routine.

KSL: Utahns know there is a high rate of skin cancer here, but it can be hard to remember to use sunscreen every day. What's an easy daily regimen they can follow all year long?

Dr. Mahlberg: Applying sunscreen should become as routine as brushing your teeth in the morning. Sunscreen is just one part of a sun protection strategy, though. In addition to daily sunscreen use, you should cover up with clothing, broad-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses. Also seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest.

KSL: Why do we still need sunscreen during the winter and on cloudy days?

Dr. Mahlberg: There are two types of ultraviolet rays that penetrate Earth’s atmosphere and reach your skin: ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn. The intensity varies by time, season and location, but the most significant amount of UVB hits the U.S. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from April to October.

However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice, which bounce back up to 80 percent of the rays so that they hit the skin twice.

UVA rays penetrate deeper into your skin and are responsible for skin aging and increasing your risk of skin cancer. UVA rays are present with relatively equal intensity year-round during daylight hours. Unlike UVB rays, they can penetrate clouds and fog. Both UVA and UVB rays play a role in the development of skin cancer — that’s why it’s so important to make sun protection a daily habit.

Related:

KSL: What are your sunscreen recommendations and should people use different types for outdoor activities?

Dr. Mahlberg: The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. For extended outdoor activity, choose a broad spectrum, water-resistant formula with an SPF of 30 or higher.

KSL: If someone puts on sunscreen in the morning before work, school, or anything that takes them outside for brief periods of time, when do they need to reapply if they are indoors most of the day?

Dr. Mahlberg: When it comes to daily sun exposure, there are a few things to keep in mind. One is that sun damage is cumulative. Brief, incidental sun exposure, the kind you get while running errands or taking a lunch break outdoors, can add up and contribute to your overall skin cancer risk.

It’s also important to remember that window glass blocks UVB rays but not UVA rays. In fact, studies have shown that chronic exposure to UVA rays through windows may accelerate skin aging by five to seven years, and most importantly, can increase skin cancer risk. So, even if you work indoors, sun exposure is still an issue, particularly if you have a long car commute or work by a window.

For indoor workers who receive a significant amount of incidental sun exposure, it’s important to reapply sunscreen, especially before going outside for breaks or errands. If it is not feasible to reapply sunscreen during the workday, you can still protect your skin by pulling down the window shade during peak sun hours, installing UV-protective window film on your car and covering up with clothing, broad-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses when you go outside.

KSL: What about kids at school? What type of sunscreen is best?

Ed. note:H.B. 288 School Sunscreen Provision was signed into law last March allowing students to bring and apply sunscreen at school.

Dr. Mahlberg: Sun protection early in life is crucial — the damage sustained during your childhood and teen years adds up and contributes to your skin cancer risk later in life. On average, about 23 percent of a person’s total sun exposure occurs by age 18. Sun protection should be a priority for school children, who often spend a lot of time outdoors during the school day for P.E. classes, recess and afterschool sports. Sunscreen should be reapplied whenever kids head outside for activities.

Look for a broad-spectrum, water-resistant product with an SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreens come in many formulations including lotions, sprays and sticks. The best sunscreen is the one your child won’t mind using. If they like the feel and smell, they won’t mind putting it on.

Remember, sunscreen is just one part of sun safety — send your child to school with a hat and sunglasses to wear during outdoor activities.

KSL: How dangerous is each sunburn?

Dr. Mahlberg: On average, a person's risk for melanoma, one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns. It’s very important to take the time and effort to prevent sunburns in the first place. A sunburn may seem like a temporary annoyance, but it can cause long-lasting damage to your skin.

KSL: When should people start getting yearly checks, especially if they’ve used tanning beds or had bad sunburns before?

Dr. Mahlberg: The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that all adults over the age of 18 see a dermatologist once a year for an exam. Your physician may recommend more frequent exams if your history of sun exposure puts you at higher risk for skin cancer, or if you have a personal or family history of the disease.

Adults should also perform monthly self-exams, looking for new or changing moles or lesions that should be examined by a dermatologist.

I can’t overstate the importance of early detection. Skin cancers are much easier to treat when diagnosed early, but when allowed to progress, they can cause disfigurement and may even be deadly.

Editor's note: This is the first article in KSL.com's new Protect & Prevent series in an ongoing effort to motivate Utahns to protect themselves against the sun and lower Utah's melanoma rate. Have a question about skin cancer or prevention that KSL.com can answer in a future article? Want to share your skin cancer story? Email tsnowder@deseretdigital.com for more information.

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