If you&r squo;re tempted to forgo the sun screen this time of year. After all, May 23rd is the unofficial beginning of summer in the northern climates. You might want to consider the fate of a Hollywood icon and former sun worshiper. Brooke Shields is going public with her skin cancer scare.
People magazine reports that Shields had a spot on her face removed and later learned it was precancerous. Don’t worry -Shields is doing fine. She hasn’t purposely tanned in more than a decade. But that wasn't the case when she was a teen whose summer fun included baby oil, tin foil and baking in the sun, says People. You see, skin cancer is something you get for being foolish in younger years and not wearing sunscreen is foolish.
Ironically, Shields' news comes out on National Don't Fry Day in the United States.. The American National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated Friday, May 22, as National Don't Fry Day to raise awareness of the importance of skin safety and to help slow the rising rate of skin cancer caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation supports this public awareness campaign, although they have designated a different National Fry Day for Canada.
And recently Eric Dane, who plays the hunk “Mark McSteamy” on the hit Grey’s Anatomy and Michael Jackson have also been diagnosed with skin cancer.
“We know people are anxious to get outside and start enjoying the warmer weather,” said Dr Barry Lycka, president of the Canadian Skin Cancer foundation. “We’re simply asking everyone to keep skin safety in mind and take the proper steps to help protect the health of you and your family by limiting exposure to potentially harmful UV rays.”
“Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is also one of the most common cancers among young adults,” said Lycka. “Fortunately, skin cancer is highly preventable through limiting exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, and tanning beds, all sources of UV radiation.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that one American dies every hour from skin cancer. The good news is you don't have to stay inside to avoid becoming a statistic. Just do what the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation recommends: slip, slop, slap and wrap. What they mean is you should "slip" on a shirt, "slop" on sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, "slap" on hat with a wide brim, and "wrap" on some sunglasses. You’ll look cool, too, and prevent the rays from damaging the skin. “Plus, you’ll prevent photo-aging,” says Lycka
Enjoying the sun safely takes a little extra work. But Shields ' experience shows that protecting the skin is a small price to pay to help keep yourself and your family healthy.
