With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Valley of the Sun residents are exposed to UV rays more than most Americans. Test yourself on how sun-smart you really are:
Watch your exposure
True or false:
- The best time to avoid the sun is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The sun’s rays are stronger when you’re in or near water.
- People with blond hair are most at risk of skin cancer.
- My makeup has SPF, so I don’t need a separate sunscreen.
- The best sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
Answers:
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True. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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True. The sun’s rays reflect off the water.
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False. Natural redheads, regardless of skin tone, have a higher risk of skin cancer than brunettes. But remember, people with all colors of hair are at risk.
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False. Although some makeup products may have SPF, it’s not a broad spectrum that protects from UVA and UVB rays.
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False. SPF 15 blocks about 30 per-cent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent. Be sure to check the label beyond the number. You want a broad-spectrum product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
What do you know about skin cancer?
True or false:
- Skin cancer is easy to spot.
- If diagnosed early, skin cancers can almost always be cured.
- The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma.
- The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma.
- People of color don’t need to worry about skin cancer.
Answers:
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False. Skin cancers appear in many colors, shapes and sizes. The most important warning signs are a new spot, bump or growth on your skin or a spot that looks different from the others.
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True. The most common types can be cured when they’re small and have not spread.
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True. Ninety percent of skin cancer in the U.S. is basal cell carcinoma.
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True. It’s the most serious and aggressive of the three main skin cancers.
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False. All people are at risk of skin cancer. Although people of color may have a lower risk of developing skin cancer than Caucasians, they are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, ac-cording to the American Academy of Dermatology.