| |
Welcome to the new home of Lee's Summit Tribune. We are dedicated to providing you the most current and accurate news and events in Lee's Summit
 | |  |
|
SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! & WRAP
By Rodney McBride
One in five of today’s children will someday have some form of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most common cancer in young adults, ages 25 to 29; approximately, one American dies from skin cancer every hour. Skin cancer actually is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. These facts are compelling reasons to make time for Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month during July.
What exactly is the UV Index and how can it help us? This is the amount of skin damaging ultraviolet radiation expected to reach the earth’s surface at the time when the sun is highest in the sky. The index can range from 0 (night time) to 16 (in the tropics). The higher the UV Index, the shorter the time it takes before skin damage. There are two prices to pay for overexposure to UV radiation: a severe sun burn following an intense short term exposure and the more serious skin cancers developing after long term overexposure.
The EPA has devised general guidelines as far as what to do to protect yourself from overexposure to UV radiation. When planning your outdoor activities, you can decide how much sun protection you need by checking their website index. Did you know July has the highest average UV index for our region? July’s average places us in the “High” range for UV exposure. The recommendations for this category are: SPF 15, protective clothing, sun glasses (overexposure can lead to cataracts) and make attempts to avoid the sun between 10am to 4pm.
The American Cancer Society’s awareness campaign for skin cancer prevention promotes the slogan “Slip! Slop! Slap! & Wrap” which is a catch phrase that reminds us of the 4 key ways we can protect ourselves from UV radiation:
•Slip on a shirt, wearing clothing that will protect your skin from harmful UV rays is very important.
•Slop on the sunscreen, to be safe, apply sunscreen at a rate of one ounce every two hours, thus a full-day (six hours) outing would require one whole tube of sunscreen.
•Slap on a hat, be sure and protect your head and face with the shade that is created by wearing your hat.
•Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them from the ultraviolet light
Remember…a little preparation before going outside will make for a more enjoyable outing—and can prevent development of skin cancer over time!
This article was submitted by Rodney McBride, who is the Vice President of Health & Community Services for John Knox Village. He also serves as a member of Lee’s Summit’s Health Education Advisory Board.
The Lee’s Summit Health Education Advisory Board is a Mayor-appointed, volunteer board that promotes and advocates community health by assessing health issues, educating the public and government agencies, developing plans to address health issues, encouraging partnerships and evaluating the outcomes.
“Health is a state of complete mental, physical, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” World Health Organization
This article was submitted by Rodney McBride, who is the Vice President of Health & Community Services for John Knox Village. He also serves as a member of Lee’s Summit’s Health Education Advisory Board.
| |
 | |  |
| | |
|
Other Recent Articles from the Community Category:
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Eyes of a Twenty Year Old, Harold Braden of Lee's Summit
|
|
|
