No such thing as a healthy tan.Don't think for a second that this modern axiom overstates the case. Healthy skin is the color you were born with or the color still hiding under your bathing suit. The cumulative effects of exposure to the damaging effects of the sun or the ultraviolet (UV) light in tanning salons include (along with your tan) wrinkling, sagging, liver spots, and, vanity aside, skin cancer. Over the last 30 years the number of cases of malignant melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) has increased from six per 100,000 to 12 per 100,000, a good indication that the anti-tanning message isn't changing attitudes and lifestyles since this is a preventable cancer. This year the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, estimates that UV exposure will cause more than one million new basal and squamous cell cancers and approximately 53,600 new cases of malignant melanoma. While certain individuals with fair or freckly freck·le n. A small brownish spot on the skin, often turning darker or increasing in number upon exposure to the sun. tr. & intr.v. skin, a family history of melanoma, or a history of severe sunburn sunburn, inflammation of the skin caused by actinic rays from the sun or artificial sources. Moderate exposure to ultraviolet radiation is followed by a red blush, but severe exposure may result in blisters, pain, and constitutional symptoms. in childhood have increased risk, no one is immune to the damaging effects of UV light. As a runner, your cumulative exposure, particularly to hands, ears, face, neck and the tops of your knees, is very significant. Take charge of your health and make the following recommendations by the American Cancer Society part of your daily fitness habits. * Avoid running or other outdoor activities when UV rays are most intense, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. * Always wear a hat and choose clothing with as much coverage as possible for the weather. * Cover exposed skin with a waterproof, broad spectrum (UVA and UVB UVB ultraviolet B; see ultraviolet. ) sunscreen with a sun protection factor sun protection factor n. Abbr. SPF The ratio of the minimal ultraviolet dose required to produce erythema with and without a sunscreen; a measure of the degree to which a sunscreen protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, the higher (SPF (1) (Stateful Packet Firewall) See stateful inspection. (2) (Sender Policy Framework) An e-mail authentication system that verifies that the message came from an authorized mail server. ) of at least 15. * Just say no to tanning beds and sun lamps. (The Physician and Sportsmedicine 2000, Vol. 28, No. 7, pp. 79-85; American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2002. For more information visit www.cancer.org |
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