Did You Know?
 | Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. |  | Compared to other counties in Florida, Sarasota has one of the highest
rates of people dying from malignant melanoma, the most serious form of
skin cancer. |
You can protect yourself against skin cancer.
Practice Sun Safety
Here are tips to help you protect yourself against skin cancer:
- Midday Sun.
- Try to avoid being out in the sun during the middle of the day.
- The sun is the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- To find out how strong the sun is in Sarasota, check out the UV index at HeraldTribune.com.
- Cover Up.
- Wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible, even when you are in the water.
- Some clothes have a Skin Protection Factor, or SPF; if you choose these clothes, make sure to get an SPF of 15 or higher.
- Wear a hat.
- Choose a hat that protects you neck, ears, eyes and forehead.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Use a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher.
- Sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum” protect against both UVA and UVB radiation.
- For best results, apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside and reapply after swimming, sweating, towel drying, or extended sun exposure.
- Wear sunglasses.
- Choose sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
- No artificial color.
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths.
- Keep an eye on things.
- Check your skin regularly for signs of changing texture, color, size and shapes or a sore that does not heal.
- If you notice any changes or irregularities, see your doctor or health care provider.
Learn More
To learn more about sun safety topics and skin cancer prevention, visit these Web sites:
American Cancer Society
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Cancer Institute
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