The Home Page Network

Our Movin’ Together tools this month are protecting our largest organ, our skin! Every tool we suggest encourages us to try new ways or renew healthy ways of living that give us an advantage over cancer by strengthening and shielding our bodies.

There are three major types of skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. The first two skin cancers are grouped together as non-melanoma skin cancers.

More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. Predictions estimate 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70.

How can we change that statistic for us?

On this broadcast Home Page Vice President, Sara Vogt sat down with Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, Brittany Wilson to discuss the many ways to be safe in the sun and protect our skin while having fun.

There are three different rays of the sun, UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays have more energy than the other types of UV rays, but they don’t get through our atmosphere and are not in sunlight.

UVA rays are commonly called the Aging Rays. These rays are responsible for the breakdown of the collagen penetrating deeply into our skin resulting in the formation of wrinkles. Eighty to ninety percent of the aging in our skin comes from this exposure to the sun as well as cause skin cancer. They are present year round, cloudy or sunny and can penetrate through glass.

UVB rays are referred to as the Burning Rays which also penetrate the skin’s layers but not as deeply. These rays can trigger the burning of our skin as well as cause cancer.

How do we protect ourselves from these rays harming us? Brittany stressed coverage is very important and encouraged us to wear an SPF of 15 for everyday wear which can be found in many foundations and moisturizers. She also explained that the sunscreen should be SPF of 30 or higher for outdoor activities. She also emphasized when buying a sunscreen to be sure that it is labeled broad spectrum to provide coverage for both UVA and UVB rays. (SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor)

The sunscreen on the broadcast is produced by Alba Botanica and is approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

All of the clothing with sunscreen protection shown on the broadcast were purchased at Wild Asaph Outfitters.

To find out more about Wild Asaph Outfitters please visit their Facebook page.

The following links below offer more information about safety while having fun in the sun!

Movin’ Together: Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide

SkinCancer.org

UPMC