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Dermatology Nursing News

SUN SAFETY NEWS
New Survey Ranks the Nations Most and Least
Sun-Smart Cities

At first glance, Hartford, Salt Lake City, and Denver

might not seem to have much in common. But a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology
(Academy) found these three cities outshine other U.S.
cities in heeding advice on preventing and detecting skin
cancer.
The Suntelligence: How Sun Smart is Your City?
online survey polled more than 7,000 adults nationwide
to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors
toward tanning, sun protection, and skin cancer detection.
Twenty-six cities were ranked based on respondents
answers to several questions in each category.
One common thread we found encouraging is that
the majority of people polled expressed concern about
skin cancer and had awareness of the importance of proper sun protection, said dermatologist William D. James,
MD, FAAD, president of the Academy. However, we
found that peoples behaviors did not always correlate
with their concerns.
While Hartford, Salt Lake City and Denver ranked
No. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, Cleveland, Chicago, and
Pittsburgh fell to the bottom of the sun-smart spectrum
with rankings of 24, 25, and 26, respectively. When results
for these cities were compared to the average collective
responses for all survey respondents, significant differences were observed in the top and bottom-ranked cities.
Hartford respondents excelled in their knowledge of
sun protection and the risks associated with tanning, scoring above the average of adults overall. For example, only

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about one-third of respondents (35%) nationwide correctly answered the question that asked whether some types
of ultraviolet (UV) rays are safe for your skin. Forty-two
percent of Hartford respondents knew this statement was
not true that all forms of UV exposure, from natural
sunlight and artificial light sources such as tanning beds
are harmful.
Similarly, residents of Salt Lake City, Denver, and
Hartford all scored better than the national average when
they disagreed with the statement they are not too concerned about skin cancer because it is easily detected and
treated. Overall, 76% of respondents nationwide disagreed with this statement, while 85% of respondents
from Salt Lake City disagreed.
While skin cancer can be successfully treated if
detected early, the 5-year survival rate for individuals with
regional and distant-stage melanomas are 65% and 16%,
respectively. Thats why people must be vigilant about
protecting their skin from sun exposure and aware of the
early warning signs of skin cancer, said Dr. James.
However, when examining skin cancer detection
behaviors, nationally 59% of respondents had never been
screened for skin cancer by a health care provider.
Respondents from Pittsburgh and Chicago fared even
worse, with 69% of Pittsburgh respondents and 67% from
Chicago admitting they had never had an examination.
On the other hand, 48% of Hartford residents had never
undergone a skin examination.
Despite dermatologists repeated warnings about the
dangers of tanning, Dr. James added respondents in lastplace Pittsburgh scored significantly worse than the overall average when asked if people look more attractive with
a tan. Specifically, 81% of Pittsburgh respondents agreed
with this statement compared to 72% of the general public.

Sun Safety Tips for Infants, Babies, and Toddlers

Just one blistering sunburn in childhood more
than doubles a persons
chances of developing
melanoma later in life.
According to one U.S. study,
54% of children become
sunburned or tanned in their
second summer, versus 22%
in their first. Many parents
dont know the best ways to
protect their young children.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the following sun safety tips for infants, babies, and toddlers.

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Infants
0-6 months. Infants under 6 months of age should be
kept out of the sun. Their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen. An infants skin possesses little melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes, and provides
some sun protection. Therefore, babies are especially susceptible to the suns damaging effects.
o Use removable mesh window shields to keep direct
sunlight from coming in through the windows of your
car or invest in UV window film, which can screen
almost 100% of ultraviolet radiation without reducing
visibility.
o Take walks early in the morning before 10 a.m. or late
afternoon after 4 p.m. and use a stroller with a sunprotective cover.
o Dress baby in lightweight clothing that covers the
arms and legs.
o Choose a wide-brimmed hat or bonnet that protects
the babys face, neck, and ears. A baby who wears a
hat during the first few months will get used to having
it on.
Babies
6-12 months. Its now safe to use sunscreen on babies.
o All the protection methods explained above still
apply; however, now sunscreen use should be incorporated.
o Apply a broad-spectrum, SPF 15+ sunscreen to areas
left uncovered such as babys hands. Many companies
have tear-free formulas that wont sting babys eyes.
o Most importantly, sunscreen must be applied 30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every 2 hours
or after swimming or excessive sweating.
Toddlers/Pre-School Age
Protecting toddlers from the sun requires a little more
thought and effort. It is important to educate your child
and caregivers.
o Make sure your child seeks the shade between 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m. Check the outdoor area where your child
plays to make sure there is adequate shade.
o Make sure toddlers are covered. Long-sleeved,
unbleached cotton clothing is cool and comfortable,
while also highly protective. Clothing with an
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) listing on the label
offers extra security. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends clothing with a UPF of 30 or higher.
o Dont forget hats and sunglasses. Choose a widebrimmed hat that protects face, neck, and ears.
o Water-resistant, spray-on sunscreens are a good choice
for toddlers who wont sit still. Look for sunscreens
with an SPF 15 or higher with some combination of
the following UVA ingredients: avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.
To learn more about the Foundation, www.skincancer.
org

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SKIN CANCER UPDATE

Skin Cancer on the Eyelids Surprisingly Common
Skin cancers of the eyelid, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell
carcinoma
(SCC),
and
melanoma, account for 5%10% of all skin cancers,
according to The Skin Cancer
Foundation. While only a
small number are lethal, eyelid skin cancers can cause significant tissue damage, blindness, and can spread into the
nasal and orbital cavities.
Eyelid skin cancer is not something most people
think about, said C. William Hanke, MD, senior vice
president of The Skin Cancer Foundation. With their
thin, delicate structures, the eyes and surrounding areas
are particularly prone to cancers. And, its an area people
often forget to protect from the sun.
Most eyelid skin cancers occur on the lower lid,
which receives the most sun exposure. Approximately
90% of all eyelid cancers are BCCs, 5% or more are
SCCs, and 1%-2% are melanomas.
Detection and treatment. Early detection is essential, but
is often difficult to achieve because eyelid tumors often
grow under the skin for years before presenting on the
surface.
Early warning signs include:
A lump or bump that frequently bleeds or does not
disappear.
Persistent red eye or inflammation of the eyelids that
does not respond to medication.
Newly acquired flat or elevated pigmented lesions
that have irregular borders and growth.
Unexplained loss of eyelashes.
Treating skin cancers of the eyelids poses special challenges. Eyelids are composed of extremely specialized
mobile skin. To remove BCCs and SCCs, Mohs micrographic surgery is highly effective.
Prevention. Fortunately, preventing eyelid skin cancer
can be easy and fashionable. Today there are sunscreens
and moisturizers specially formulated for the eye area,
which makes wearing an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen daily
around the eyes much easier. In addition, sunglasses have
become the ultimate fashion accessory. They not only
make a chic fashion statement, but protect your eyes from
the suns harmful UV rays. When it comes to selecting the
most flattering style, face shape is probably the most
important feature to keep in mind. Eyewear experts suggest following these simple guidelines:
Oval face: square or cats eye frames
Round face: rectangular frames
Square face: rounder oval cats-eye frames

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