Skin Cancer Rates on the Rise and How You Can Protect Yourself

According to new data from the United States government, the rate of skin cancer has doubled over the last 30 years.  Melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease, is also on the rise.  According to the latest research, the yearly cost for treating it is expected to triple to an estimated $1.6 billion by the year 2030.

So how do you protect yourself?  One way to prevent skin cancer is to cover up by wearing clothing that covers your skin or applying sunscreen when you are going to be outside in the summer heat.

However, recent data has suggested that while sunscreens do provide extra protection, they aren't doing their job properly and often brands make claims that they can't deliver.  On top of that, most Americans still do not wear it daily, apply it properly, and many still use indoor tanning beds.

In a recent report from the Environmental Working Group, researchers revealed that many of the sunscreens available on the market offer poor coverage or have ingredients that the organization views as troubling.  Some brands, for example, advertise their SPF 70 or even SPF 100 even though in reality they don't offer much more protection than SPF 50.

Better sunscreen ingredients could help.  Legislation was recently passed to make the U.S. Food and Drug Administration respond more quickly to pending applications for new ingredients to add to sunscreens.  Many of these ingredients have already been in use overseas for many years.  The law is designed to compel the agency to act more quickly so better improved sunscreen products reach the American public much faster.

The FDA also stated several years ago that it would begin to crack down on sunscreen regulation, by placing caps on a SPF at a max of SPF 50, and establishing labeling standards for testing the effectiveness, and enforce better labeling on each of the products by manufacturers.

So what can you do to make sure your skin is protected from the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to the sun?  First, you should keep wearing sunscreen, and apply it more regularly.  Most Americans fail to apply sunscreen on a regular basis or as often as it is needed while they are out in the sun.  However, experts also recommend that you do more.  For example, you should cover your skin with clothing and avoid being outside between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest.  Remember, if you are outdoors, use sunscreen and reapply it regularly - at least every two hours.