24-Hour Emergency Hotline:4105436996

Notifiable / Reportable Conditions Line:4105436943

MD Relay:8007352258

Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Prevention

Information

 

Phone: (410) 548-5175

Fax: (410) 543-6964

Location: 300 West Carroll Street, Salisbury, MD 21801

Services:

  • Sun Safety and Skin Cancer prevention education
  • Use of derma scan machine to educate on skin cancer prevention

Video Transcript

Factors that increase your risk of skin cancer:

Live Sun Smart - ABCDE's of Melanoma. A = Asymmetry - one half doesn't look like the other half. B = Borders - uneven, notched or fuzzy. C = Color - more than one color or shade. D = Diameter - Size greater than an eraserhead. E = Evolution - Sudden change in appearance. Genetics

  • Naturally red, blond, or light brown hair color
  • Light eye color – blue, gray or green
  • Fair or light skin that burns or freckles easily
  • Many moles on your body, irregular moles, or large moles
  • Family history – blood relatives who have had skin cancer

Behaviors

  • History of sunburns – just two severe sunburns as a child or adolescent doubles your risk of developing melanoma later in life
  • Repeated sun exposure without adequate sun protection during outdoor work or play
  • History of using tanning beds

Sun Education Program - Did you know? All skin types are at risk for skin cancer. 1 out of 5 children will grow up to develop skin cancer. It is estimated that one American dies every hour from skin cancer. The Wicomico County Health Dept offers age appropriate presentations for children (ages 3 to 18), parents, teachers and caregivers. Call 410-548-5175 for more info. Ways to decrease your risk:

Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds
If you want to look tan, use a sunless self-tanning product. There is no such thing as a safe base tan, a tan is evidence of skin damage.

Do Not Burn
Remember to use sunscreen every day, in every season, even if it’s cloudy because Ultraviolet (UV) rays go through clouds all year long. Be aware that UVA rays go through car windows and can burn or damage your skin.

Generously Apply Sunscreen
Use at least 1 ounce with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30, which provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.  Reapply sunscreen according to the products label. Remember after swimming or sweating your sun screen will need to be reapplied. Most are water resistant but not water proof.

Wear Protective Clothing
Long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection will protect your skin and help prevent cataracts.

Seek Shade
When your shadow is shorter than you are, remember that the sun’s rays are the strongest (between 10 a.m.. and 4 p.m..). Try to plan your activities to limit time in the midday sun and find the shade of trees, umbrellas, and buildings whenever possible.

Skin cancer is the most common but the most PREVENTABLE cancer.

Wicomico County Health Department will do age appropriate presentations. This includes children age 3 to 18, parents, teachers and caregivers at daycare centers. Presentations feature free incentives such as UV detector bracelets, sunscreen samples, pencil pouches, activity booklets, and more!

 

Would you like to have a nurse speak at your event or group about sun safety and skin cancer prevention?

Call 410-548-5175 to schedule a presentation

Additional Resources:



View Full Site