SunGuard Your Skin

A Lesson About Sun Safety

UV Radiation

Many types of rays come from the sun:Heat rays, visible light, and invisible ultraviolet light or (UV) Radiation.Two kinds of UV radiation reach the earth:UVA rays – longer rays, penetrate skin deeply,and cause wrinkling and tanningUVB rays – shorter rays which cause burningof the skinTanning and burning of the skin are signs of skin damage!

The Dangers of UV Radiation

Overexposure to UV Radiation causes:SunburnDNA DamageSkin CancerPremature aging (wrinkles)CataractsImmune system depression

The Structure of Your Skin

The skin is your body’s largest organ

It protects you from the sun and from infections

The skin has 2 layers:

epidermis and dermis Skin color depends on the

activity of the melanocytes in the epidermis

What Causes Skin Cancer?

UV radiation causes increased activity in the melanocytes

This increased activity is the cause of freckles, tanned skin and sunburns

Sometimes this leads to changes in cell structure and function, causing cancer

Do You Know the Three Main Types of Skin Cancer?

Basal Cell Carcinoma 75% of all skin cancersSquamous Cell Carcinoma 20% of all skin cancersMelanoma 5% of all skin cancers but

responsible for 75% of skin cancer deaths

Signs of MelanomaWhat are the ABCD’s?

Asymmetry

Border

Color

Diameter

CHANGE!

Who is at Risk for Skin Cancer?

Fair skin, burns easily

Light hair colorBlue or green eyesFrecklesMany molesFamily history of

skin cancer

When is UV Radiation Most Intense?

In the middle of the day (Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.)During the summer monthsAt higher altitudes In regions of the earth closer to the equator

Use the UV Index as a tool to help planyour outdoor activities.

Avoid midday sunCover up with hats, clothing and sunglassesUse sunscreenApply liberally and oftenAvoid reflective surfacesSeek shade when your shadow is shorter than

you areAvoid tanning beds

Protective Measures

Tanning Beds are NOT Safe!

Loosely regulated; not enforcedStudies show tanning beds are linked

to skin cancer and premature agingIf you must be tan, use a self tanner.

You still must use sunscreenThere is no such thing as a safe tan!

Visit the Coalition’s web site atwww.sunguardman.org

Visit SunGuard Man Online at www.sunguardman.org, and..

Play GamesEnter ContestsSee The Adventures

of SunGuard ManDo the SunGuard

Man Treasure HuntLearn what you can

do to keep your skin safe and healthy

Coalition for Skin CancerPrevention in Maryland

www.sunguardman.org

SunGuard Your Skin SurveyPart A - Check the space before the best answer.

1. A person with a tan looks attractive. ____ strongly agree ____ agree ____ no opinion ____disagree ____ strongly disagree 2. A person with a tan looks healthy. ____ strongly agree ____ agree ____ no opinion ____ disagree ____ strongly disagree

3. People who protect themselves from the sun are cool. ____ strongly agree ____ agree ____ no opinion ____ disagree ____ strongly disagree

4. How many painful sunburns did you have last summer? ____ none ____ 1 ____ 2 ____ 3 ____ more than three ____ I don’t remember

5. When you were out in the sun last summer, how often did you use sunscreen? ____ always ____ sometimes ____ I don’t remember ____ rarely ____ never

6. When you were out in the sun last summer and wore a hat for protection, what kind of hat did you wear? ____ wide brimmed hat ____ baseball cap ____ visor ____ other ____ I never wore a hat

SunGuard Your Skin Survey

Part B - Fill in the blank with the letter next to the best answer.

__7. The sun’s rays are the strongest, and should be avoided between the hours ofa. 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.b. 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.c. 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.d. 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

  8. What is the minimum SPF (sun protection factor) a sunscreen should have to protect you

adequately from the damaging effects of the sun?a. 15b. 8c. 30d. 5

  9. Which of the following is not a type of skin cancer?

a. Squamous cell carcinomab. Malignant melanomac. Sickle cell carcinomad. Basal cell carcinoma

 

SunGuard Your Skin Survey

10. All of the following are risk factors for skin cancer excepta. Having dark hairb. Having light colored skinc. Being severely sunburned as a childd. Having family members who have had skin cancer

  11. The substance in the skin that makes people tan is called

a. Melatoninb. Myanmarc. Mandarind. Melanin

  12. Which of the following is not one of the ABCD’s of Melanoma?

a. Borderb. Diameterc. Atypicald. Asymmetricale. Color

  13. Which of the following is the best method of protecting yourself from the

harmful effects of the sun?a. Wear light colored clothingb. Wear a baseball capc. Use sunscreen with SPF 8d. Seek shade

SunGuard Your Skin Survey

Part C- True or False: Place a T or F in the blank to make the statement correct. 

14. The sun’s rays are less intense at high altitudes.  15. People with a large number of moles on their bodies are at greater risk for developing malignant melanoma.  16. Sunscreen should be put on ½ hour before going outside and reapplied every four hours. ___17. People with naturally dark skin can develop skin cancer. ___18. A tan is a sign that the skin is damaged. ___19. Tanning salons and sun lamps are safe ways to get a tan.

SunGuard Your Skin Survey

___20. A wide brimmed hat gives more sun protection than a baseball cap.

___21. Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays cause the skin to become sunburned. ___22. Wearing a hat and long sleeved shirts are good methods of protection from

sunburn. ___ 23. You can get burned from reflection of the sun’s rays off sand, water, and snow. ___ 24. Protecting yourself from sunburns as an adolescent will help prevent skin cancer

later in life. ___ 25. The outside layer of skin is called the dermis.  26.People can die from malignant melanoma.