Protecting Yourself in the Sun – Part 2
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Tip excerpted from: www.osha.gov
Most people have experienced the discomfort of sunburn at one time or another. Few tend to realize that unprotected exposure to the Sun increases one’s risk of developing skin cancer which can be fatal. Early detection is your first line of defense in treating skin cancer.
Sun exposure at any age can cause skin cancer. Be especially careful in the sun if you burn easily, spend a lot of time outdoors, or have any of the following physical features:
- Numerous, irregular, or large moles
- Freckles
- Fair skin
- Blond, red, or light brown hair
It’s important to examine your body monthly because skin cancers detected early can almost always be cured. The most important warning sign is a spot on the skin that is changing in size, shape, or color during a period of 1 month to 1 or 2 years.
Skin cancers often take the following forms:
- Pale, wax-like, pearly nodules
- Red, scaly, sharply outlined patches
- Sores that don’t heal
- Small, mole-like growths – melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer
If you find such unusual skin changes, see a health care professional immediately. For more information about preventing, detecting, and treating skin cancer, check out these sources:
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover
The Skin Cancer Foundation www.skincancer.org
For more information on this topic or on other workplace safety and health issues, visit www.osha.gov.
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