Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
May 8th, 2007 spryken
As the weather turns warmer and we all start to get out on the trails more, we should remember the sunscreen. I was scanning some news headlines on the web when I ran across Skin Cancer: Skin Color Doesn’t Matter at East West Magazine. The one quote that got me was “anyone — light or dark — is at risk”.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness month!! For some facts check out the Skin Cancer Foundation.
A couple of things to keep in mind while hiking or backpacking:
- More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure *
- A person’s risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns *
That last tidbit is telling. I had more than 5 sunburns before I turned 13. And I have had a basal cell removed, along with 2 precancerous moles. I now have a heightened appreciation for sunscreen. I dislike it, but I use it. I use to get down right brown in the summers. Now it is just my arms that tan. I have the classic farmer’s tan. Even that isn’t healthy, but the only way to stop it is to wear long sleeve shirts.
As a Boy Scout Leader, I not only need to remind my boys to apply and reapply sunscreen, I need to provide a good example. We are off on a backpacking trek on the Appalachian Trail in June. I better stock up!!
* from Skin Cancer Foundation
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