Tanning and Skin Cancer Myths
Jillita Horton
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Protect Yourself From This Killer!
If not detected early, it can spread to your lungs and brain and kill you. One in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, says the American Cancer Society. That comes to about 1,053,000 new cases every year in the U.S., making it the most common form of cancer. The deadliest type, me 
lanoma, kills about 7,500 to 9,500 people a year. The other two forms, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, can also be fatal, though in a small percentage of cases.
Myths
As long as I tan instead of burn, I don't have to worry.
A tan-no matter how gorgeous and "healthy looking," is actually skin damage. The skin has become browned in response to radiation from the sun. Even though there's no peeling or red burn in that bronze tan, there's still DNA damage and increased production of free radicals (free radicals are unstable oxygen atoms that mangle up DNA molecules), which heighten cancer risk.
I stay out of the sun between 10 am and 3 pm, so I'm safe.
The sun's rays still penetrate right through to your DNA as long as it's above the horizon. But the rays are most potent between 10 am and 3 pm.
I've built up a base tan, so I'm not at risk.
That "base tan" is synonymous with DNA damage! A base tan is not a lead shield; it still lets dangerous radiation penetrate
the skin.
My naturally dark (or olive) skin protects me from cancer.
Though naturally-dark people have a much lower risk of skin cancer than fair-toned people, this does not make them immune. Dark-complected people get skin cancer.
The winter sun isn't strong enough to cause harm.
Oh yes it is, especially when the rays are intensified (by 80 percent) by surrounding snow.
Sunscreen isn't necessary on cloudy days.
80 percent of the sun's rays penetrate clouds. Do not mistake cloud-cover as a lead shield.
Risk Factors
1. Skin that burns easily, or fair skin
2. Red or blonde hair, blue eyes; freckles
3. Northern European heritage
4. Many moles on the body, especially large ones
5. Excessive sun exposure during childhood and/or adulthood, even if you never burned
If not detected early, it can spread to your lungs and brain and kill you. One in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, says the American Cancer Society. That comes to about 1,053,000 new cases every year in the U.S., making it the most common form of cancer. The deadliest type, me
Myths
As long as I tan instead of burn, I don't have to worry.
A tan-no matter how gorgeous and "healthy looking," is actually skin damage. The skin has become browned in response to radiation from the sun. Even though there's no peeling or red burn in that bronze tan, there's still DNA damage and increased production of free radicals (free radicals are unstable oxygen atoms that mangle up DNA molecules), which heighten cancer risk.
I stay out of the sun between 10 am and 3 pm, so I'm safe.
The sun's rays still penetrate right through to your DNA as long as it's above the horizon. But the rays are most potent between 10 am and 3 pm.
I've built up a base tan, so I'm not at risk.
That "base tan" is synonymous with DNA damage! A base tan is not a lead shield; it still lets dangerous radiation penetrate
the skin.
My naturally dark (or olive) skin protects me from cancer.
Though naturally-dark people have a much lower risk of skin cancer than fair-toned people, this does not make them immune. Dark-complected people get skin cancer.
The winter sun isn't strong enough to cause harm.
Oh yes it is, especially when the rays are intensified (by 80 percent) by surrounding snow.
Sunscreen isn't necessary on cloudy days.
80 percent of the sun's rays penetrate clouds. Do not mistake cloud-cover as a lead shield.
Risk Factors
1. Skin that burns easily, or fair skin
2. Red or blonde hair, blue eyes; freckles
3. Northern European heritage
4. Many moles on the body, especially large ones
5. Excessive sun exposure during childhood and/or adulthood, even if you never burned