Who Doesn’t Love a Little Sunshine?

By Jennifer Bowman, DNP, PMHNP

In mental health, we often talk about how “getting some sun” can help improve your mood. I think it’s fair to say that everyone can use a little sunshine. I have always loved being in the sun, but in recent years I’ve become more cautious about sun exposure after having a precancerous mole removed and after my husband was diagnosed with melanoma several years ago. I hate to admit it, but I sometimes assumed I was “safe” because I’m Italian. Unfortunately, it’s not like I have a fur coat! 

While people with fair skin are at higher risk, skin cancer can affect people of all skin tones and ethnic backgrounds. Everyone should practice sun safety and perform regular skin checks.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun over the years, and I can honestly say that most of the time I wore some type of sunscreen. However, there were also times when I used tanning oil and even visited tanning beds a few times. When we’re young, we tend to feel invincible, right? The problem is that by the time we reach our 40s, 50s, and 60s, we often begin to see the effects of what we didn’t do earlier to protect our skin.

With summer quickly approaching, I wanted to share some important facts about skin cancer and offer tips to help keep you safe while still enjoying the sunshine.

Skin Cancer Facts

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. While melanoma represents only about 1% of all skin cancers, it accounts for the majoring of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma is approximately 30 times more common in White individuals, and males have higher incidence and mortality rates across all skin cancer types. Skin cancer rates continue to rise globally due to increased UV exposure, aging populations, and improved detection methods.

Know the ABCDEs of Melanoma:

• A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other.

• B – Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred.

• C – Color: Multiple colors or uneven coloring.

• D – Diameter: Larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can be smaller.

• E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms such as itching or bleeding.

Experts recommend performing a head-to-toe skin check once a month. Look for new spots, changes in existing moles, or sores that do not heal. Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. If you notice any of these changes, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.

Tips for Protecting Your Skin:

• Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

• My dermatologist, Dr. John Orr, FAAD, recommends using SPF 50–70. He notes that anything higher offers little additional benefit. He personally recommends brands such as Neutrogena and Blue Lizard.

• Select a water-resistant sunscreen so it remains effective if you sweat or swim.

• Apply sunscreen to dry skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors. This allows it time to absorb and provide the protection you expect.

• Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours. This is the step many people forget. Reapply even sooner if you are swimming, sweating, or engaging in activities that may remove the sunscreen.

• Be sure to apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including often-forgotten areas such as the scalp, ears, back of the neck, and tops of the feet.

• Don’t forget to protect your eyelids and lips.

• Avoid indoor tanning. Research shows that indoor tanning can increase melanoma risk by approximately 20%.

Additional ways to protect yourself:

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat.

• Choose UV-blocking sunglasses.

• Wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants when possible.

• Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.

As someone who has had a precancerous mole removed and whose family has experienced melanoma, I know how easy it is to think, “That won’t happen to me.”; The truth is that skin cancer can affect anyone. Taking a few simple precautions now—wearing sunscreen, seeking shade, performing regular skin checks, and scheduling routine dermatology visits—can make a tremendous difference. Enjoy the sunshine, but remember that protecting your skin is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health.