Sun Smart
July 6, 2007
Despite increasing knowledge on the dangers of sun exposure, Americans are increasingly finding themselves sunburned. According to federal researchers, between 1999 and 2004 the number of adults who reported getting sunburned rose from 31.8% to 33.7%, with men being more likely to get burned than women. 1 Recent research indicates that the increase in sunburns is due to a compilation of factors. First, the FDA has not updated the rules and regulations regarding the safety and efficacy of sunscreen in almost 30 years, thus many products fail to provide adequate sun protection. 1 In addition, many sunscreen manufacturers have created misleading marketing campaigns, such as "all day protection" that have promoted the misuse of sunscreen.1 And finally, many consumers simply lack knowledge about the harmful effects of the sun and the proper use of sunscreen.
Cost to Employers
Sunburns and other sun-related skin damage is not just a nuisance; it is a serious and costly health problem. According to the World Health Organization, 60,000 people a year die from prolonged sun exposure around the world (48,000 deaths are from melanoma and 12,000 are from other skin cancers).2 Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States and during 2007, the National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be 1 million new cases of skin cancer and approximately 60,000 new cases of melanoma.3 There are three different types of skin cancer; squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. While basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms of skin cancer, melanoma is the most deadly.3
The total direct cost associated with the treatment of melanoma was $291 million in 2004.2 This direct cost estimate includes office visits, hospital inpatient and outpatient treatment, prescription drugs, and emergency room treatment. The cost of non-melanoma skin cancer is even higher: in 2004 direct cost totaled $1.5 billion.2 As people continue to spend time outside, the costs associated with skin cancer will continue to rise unless steps are taken towards prevent sun damage.
Tips for staying safe in the sun:
According to the National Cancer Institute, reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation reduces the incidence skin cancer.3 Thus, protecting skin from the sun's harmful rays is one of the most integral steps in skin cancer prevention. Those people whose skin tans poorly, who have a large number of abnormal moles or who have a family history of skin cancer have an increased risk of developing skin cancer and should take all the necessary precautions in the sun.3
- Use sunscreen with a minimum protection of SPF 15 and apply 30 minutes before sun exposure everyday.
- Ensure sunscreen provides both UVB & UVA protection.1
- Sunscreen should be applied immediately after swimming and sweating (even if the bottle says that it is water or sweat proof) or every 2 hours.
- At least 2 ounces of sunscreen should be used in each application (one shot glass worth of sunscreen should be used for the body and one teaspoon of sunscreen should be used for the face).1
- Check prescription medications for sun warnings- many medication such as antibiotics and acne medications cause sun sensitivity and increase a person's likelihood of burning, even when using sunscreen.
- Be sure to check the sunscreen's expiration date, as sunscreen only has a shelf life of about a year.
- Protect both skin and eyes with wide-brimmed hats, clothing, and sunglasses.
- Remain out of the sun from 10am-4pm when the sun is the strongest.
- Conduct monthly self-exams to look for new growth such as lumps, sores that will not heal or any changes in existing moles or growths.3
- Avoid sun lamps and tanning salons.
Children and the sun
Children are especially sensitive to the sun due to their delicate skin. Protecting children from the sun not only helps prevent painful rashes and sun burns, it also helps prevent skin cancer later in life, as 50 percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure will occur before the age of 18.4 Teaching children sun safety is as simple as leading by example, but there are a few extra steps that can be taken to protect a child from the sun.
- Infants should be kept out of the sun entirely. 4
- Encourage children to play in the shade, especially from 10am-4pm.
- Use a high SPF on children. 5
- Reapply sunscreen often throughout the day.
- Ensure that protective clothing is always worn in the sun.5
- Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if a child is sunburned or develops a rash.
What employers can do:
- Educate employees through wellness and health incentive programs about the importance of sunscreen use and the risks of skin cancer.
- Encourage beneficiaries to consult their primary care provider about skin problems and concerns.
- Provide employees with free educational materials on skin cancer including:
- Skin cancer and sunscreen use fact sheets.
- Brochures on staying safe in the sun.
- Skin cancer risk assessments.
- Tips about talking to your doctor about skin cancer.
1. Screening Sunscreens. The Washington Post, July 3, 2007;Health.
2. American Melanoma Foundation. Facts About Melanoma. Available at:
http://www.melanomafoundation.org/facts/statistics.htm. Accessed July 9, 2007.
3. National Cancer Institute. Cancer Topics. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/. Accessed July 9, 2007.
4. Netdoctor.co.uk. Protecting Children from the Sun. Available at:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/sunchildren.htm. Accessed July 10, 2007.
5. American Cancer Society. Parents Guide to Skin Protection. Available at:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1x_Parents_Guide_To_Sun_Protection.asp.
Accessed July 10, 2007.
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