Almost everyone looks forward to the summer. It’s the time of year when most people have off at the same time and can go on vacation or visit friends and family. Most importantly, it’s the time of year when you can strip down to your bathing suit and head for the beach. But don’t go looking for your beach towel and sunglasses just yet because too much sun might be bad for you.

Of all the cancer groups, skin cancer is the most common Each year, more than 1 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer. This particular type of cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, which is most often found in the form of sunlight. There are also other ways in which you can get skin cancer which include:

• Genetics- For some people, skin cancer may be a hereditary thing. In these particular cases, skin cancer is caused by abnormal genes that children inherit from their parents.
• Tanning Beds- These are worse for you, in some cases, than tanning on the beach because the concentration of UV rays is stronger.
• Overexposure- exposure to high levels of x-rays may cause skin cancer (which is why doctors make you wear that heavy vest thing).
• Chemicals- Coming into contact with certain chemicals such as arsenic may cause cancer to develop.

Two Types of Light

When discussing how UV rays cause cancer, there are two types of UV rays, but you might be wondering what a UV ray even is. UV rays come from energy that the sun gives off. It’s a type of radiation which we see in the form of visible light (although there are other rays that we cannot see). For example, invisible (aka: infrared) radiation is what makes the sunlight feel hot.

UV rays damage DNA (the stuff that your genes are made of). Genes are important because they control the overall health of your skin cells. When your skin cells are damaged, they begin to grow in an uncontrolled, chaotic way. This damaged, uncontrolled growth of what used to be normal cells is what we refer to as cancer cells. Among other not-so-nice things, UV rays also cause that horrible sunburn you get the day after laying out for hours on the beach. It also makes your skin age a lot faster (ex: wrinkles, age spots, etc.).

Who’s Gonna’ Get it First?

Skin cancer is an equal opportunity employer. Translation: anyone can get it. However the people who are at a slightly higher risk for it are people who:

• have fair skin, especially people who freckle easily or get sunburned easily
• have blond or red hair and light colored eyes
• have genetic disorders such as albinism and xeroderma pigmentosum
• have already been treated for skin cancer
• have a lot of moles
• have close family members who have skin cancer

While skin cancer is treatable, prevention is better than cure. Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun; and if you do go out, make sure you’re properly dressed and armed with your sunblock!

For information about individual health insurance in North Carolina, visit BCBSNC.

Tags: Health, Health Insurance, Healthy Living //