FREE SAMPLE ARTICLE

Soaking up the sun’s rays is tempting, especially after a long, cold winter. But in the absence of proper sun safety, those toasty rays can also lead to skin cancer — the most common type of cancer in the world.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that there were over one million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer in 2009 and 68,720 cases of melanoma skin cancer, the more deadly form.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that most skin cancer can be prevented. But, how much do you really know about sun safety and protecting your skin? Test your knowledge in our short quiz:

1. TRUE OR FALSE: You can fight skin cancer with food.
-
-
-
-
True. There is some evidence that antioxidants such as green tea can help to protect the body against various forms of cancer. Also, according to John E. Wolf Jr., chair of the dermatology department at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, a low-fat diet can help reduce the risk of skin cancer by improving the immune system and preventing cancer cells from forming.

2. TRUE OR FALSE: Some medications can make you more sensitive to sunlight.
-
-
-
-
True. Photosensitivity is a side effect of many medications, such as Tazorac, acne medications such as tretionoin (Retin-A™) and isotretinoin (Accutane™), topical eczema creams, some allergy medications, birth control pills, high blood pressure drugs, and even some common antibiotics.

As your sensitivity to sunlight increases, so do your chances of sunburn and skin cancer. As part of an overall sun safety routine, always ask your doctor if any medication you're taking will make you more sensitive to the sun.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: Applying sunscreen once is enough.
-
-
-
-
False: Think that just one application of sunscreen will protect you from skin cancer? Not so. Even water resistant sunscreen can be washed off if you’re working up a sweat or swimming. For effective sun safety, you should apply sunscreen 20 minutes or less before heading outside, and reapply it after a swim, or every two hours if you’re perspiring.

4. TRUE OR FALSE: You can fight skin cancer with food.
-
-
-
-
True. There is some evidence that antioxidants, such as green tea, can help to protect the body against various forms of cancer. Also, according to John E. Wolf Jr., chair of the dermatology department at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, a low-fat diet can help reduce the risk of skin cancer by improving the immune system and preventing cancer cells from forming.

5. TRUE OR FALSE: Sunscreen can actually cause cancer.
-
-
-
-
Possibly true. According to a study at the University of California, some sunscreens don’t block UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply. Another study at the University of Staffordshire raised concerns about the level of aluminum in sunscreens. Aluminum can be absorbed into the skin, and promotes oxidation of cells, which increases the risk of cancer.

However, there is no conclusive study on whether sunscreens can cause cancer. And, various cancer and dermatology organizations around the world continue to recommend using them for sun safety.

Still, a big concern is that sunscreen users often don't use these products properly, and they often don't use other forms of protection. They also stay outdoors longer when the sun is strongest. Proper sunscreen use and all-around sun safety necessary to ward off sun damage and skin cancer.

6. TRUE OR FALSE: There is no cure for skin cancer.
-
-
-
-
False. Most skin cancers are very treatable. Even melanoma, considered the most deadly, has a high survival rate with early detection and treatment. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, there are numerous options available such as surgery, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy and topical chemotherapy — all of which can destroy cancer cells.

If you pay attention to proper sun safety techniques, you reduce your risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. You’ll also fight off premature aging so you can enjoy healthy, youthful skin well into your later years.
Source: Core Content Media
Type: Original SEO article
Keyword density: Skin cancer - 3%

Test Your Skin Cancer and Sun Safety I.Q. by Core Content Media is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://corecontentmedia.com/contact/.