5 Cost-Effective Ways to protect yourself against skin cancer

In the case of skin cancer, you can buy good health, or at least good prevention, and for very little. I’m specifically referring to things you can do on your own.

1. Examine your skin every month. Your whole body. Look for very dark or irregular moles or even specs.

*When I was in my 20’s and shared an apartment with a roommate, she started dating an anesthesiologist. I have no idea how this caught his eye, but he my left hand, palm side up and said, “You better get this looked at”.

When I say, it wasn’t a mole, I mean it wasn’t a mole. It was no more than a fleck. A dot. I thought he was nuts. But he thought it could be a melanoma. I had never heard the term before but there was no mistaking the seriousness of his warning so I made an appointment to see a dermatologist, and had it removed. Afterward, the doctor told not to be concerned about it, and immediately I forgot about it.

Fifteen years later when my husband called from his dermatologist’s office to tell me he had melanoma I knew exactly what it meant because of my long forgotten experience. In my husband’s case, it turned out to be deadly.

2. USE – USE – AND USE - SUNSCREEN

There is some debate going on right now about how effective sunscreen really is, and whether they really block the rays the way they say they do. But each day new and better ones are coming out, so it’s worth getting the best you can afford (read up about what needs to be in there, or ask a dermatologist).

But what’s makes sunscreen effective isn’t only what’s in it. It’s how it’s applied. Most people apply it once a day, if at all. It needs to be reapplied every 2 hours, or more often if you in and out of the water, or sweating, or are, for lengthy period of time, in the sun. If you don’t apply it properly, you’re not using your full chunk of armor.

3. PROTECT YOUR EYES

Use UV Sunglasses. An opthamologist called me from Michigan (in the winter!). That’s when I first learned – not about UV Sunglasses – but about how many people get cancer in and around the eye.

4. GET SUN PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

You won’t always find fabrics that feel good to your skin. But do the research. There are many companies making UV clothing today and eventually you will find something acceptable. And don’t give up. Every day new things come on the market (I know I’ve said this before, but it’s true). You’ll probably find it on the internet.

5. ACCESSORIES TO BLOCK THE SUN

There is an enormous variety of accessories, from UV head scarves, to UV gloves, to UV Hats and UV Umbrellas. And there are many, many more. Some cover part of your arms (for driving). There is enough out there to find protection that is comfortable for you and fits in with your lifestyle.

So go out and buy yourself some good health. It won’t be expensive and it could save your life.

UV Information

Statistics

• More than half of all new cancers are skin cancers.
• One person dies of melanoma every hour.
• The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2007, There will be 59,950 new cases of melanoma in the U.S.
• Melanoma rates have tripled for men over the past 25 years.

*As many of you know, I lost my husband to melanoma. So as many “probables” as you may read here or anywhere else, know that there are definitely exceptions. For example, my husband had olive skin, not light skin. My husband’s family did not have cancer. He did not get the melanoma in the place most men get their’s. And my husband lived a lot longer than anyone thought possible.

Soleil Chic endeavors to educate and bring awareness to skin cancer prevention.

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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans. It is estimated that over 1 million cases occur annually in the United States and that 1 out of 7 people will develop some form of cancer during his or her lifetime.

Types of Skin Cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer: the two most common are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers arise within the top layers of the skin and usually at sun-exposed areas of the body, including the face, neck, and arms, as a scaly area or bump. With a 90 percent cure rate, these skin cancers are easily treated, although treatment may result in some level of scarring.

The third and most dangerous form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma. Treatment is essential because melanoma can spread throughout the body. Although melanomas can occur anywhere on the body, women most often develop them on their legs while men develop them on their chest and head.

Sunscreen Defined

Sunscreens are chemical agents that help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) Radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation damage the Skin.

UVB – Chief Culprit behind sunburn
UVA – These rays penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other effects of aging. They also exacerbate the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and increasingly are being seen as a cause of skin cancer on their own. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.

Who Should Use Sunscreens?

Anyone over the age of six months should use a sunscreen daily.

More on Sunscreen

No sunscreen will stay effective for more than 2 hours without reapplication. Second, “reddening” of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting. Plenty of damage can be done without the red flag of sunburn being raised.

How Can I Protect Myself?

• Limit exposure to reflective surfaces such as sand, snow, water and concrete.
  

• Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Your eyes will be protected from retinal damage, cataracts, macular degeneration and eyelid cancer.
  
  
• When outside, wear UV clothing and/or protect yourself with a UV hat or UV Umbrella. The CDC recommendations include:
  "Get a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head."

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF factor of a minimum of 30.

• Don’t use tanning salons. They damage skin just the way real sunlight does.

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the UV rays are most intense.

Watch for more information.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

You can do more to improve your life right now. I know from personal experience.

I'll never forget the day. It was late in the afternoon midweek and I was preparing dinner for my husband of 9 years. He was not yet home. Then came a phone call, and with it a major shock that changed my life. My husband was diagnosed with malignant melanoma (a potentially fatal skin cancer if not diagnosed early). I subsequently lost him to the disease.

After a period of time passed, I began to notice damage the sun had done to my own skin, particularly on my face, sun spots and other unattractive features. As a teenager, I spent endless summer days at the beach or by the pool with the goal of getting a great tan! Who knew what could result?

The sun, as a source of danger, was having a powerful effect on my life. And from this came the evolution of my Soleil Chic UV umbrellas. With convenience and fashion in mind, some months later, I designed classy tote bags. The umbrellas color-coordinate with the tote bags and fit into a side pocket.

I am committed to educating people about sun safety, and also to providing sun protection for women that is fun, fashionable and easy to use. I wish you the enjoyment and many benefits of using my products.

Sincerely,


Lynn Rose
President