La Roche Posay Preventing Skin Cancer

This was one of those lovely unusual mornings I get to experience here and there. I am not a morning person but when that morning is a pickleball match to announce a $50,000 donation to the American Cancer Society The Edge with La Roche Posay, sign me in!

Now let’s get serious (lol) and let’s talk skin cancer. The following information was provided by the American Cancer Society:

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. More than 5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. That is more than all cancers combined. Skin cancer rates have been on the rise over the past few decades. The good news is that you can do a lot to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer.

UV rays from the sun cause DNA damage, leading to skin cancer and aging.

• Dark patches

• Wrinkles

• Loose skin

• Premature aging

• Sunburns

• Eye problems

Anyone can get skin cancer, but be extra careful if you:

• Have blond or red hair

• Have Freckles

• Fair skinned

• Spend a lot of time outdoors

• Have had skin cancer before

• Live in or travel to tropical climates or high altitudes

• Take medications that make you sensitive to light

• Have had a lot of sunburns and burns before tanning

• Have a condition that lowers your immune system

• Have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma

• Have a lot of moles or large irregularly shaped moles. See https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html

Actions you can take to protect your skin

• Protect your skin all - year - round, UV rays are around all the time, no matter what the season.

• Seek shade, especially from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

• Don’t use tanning beds or lamps.

• Wear sunglasses

• Use sunscreen

Cover up the kids too, kids burn more easily. Babies younger than 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight.