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2005 Research Articles
ONLY SKIN DEEP? HOW TO MAXIMIZE SUNSCREEN EFFICACY Ladies, if you could equip your family with an invisible bulletproof vest that would protect your loved ones from any unseen dangers, you would do it. Wouldn’t you? To have a secure way of ensuring your loved ones safety all day, every day, would definitely make your job easier. And what if I told you that your search for this invisible, yet effective bulletproof vest has been right under your nose—that you can get it at your local grocery store or at your favorite dermatologist’s office? That lifesaving product is called sunscreen. Truth be told, sunscreen, when used properly, works much akin bulletproof vest—a thin and almost invisible bulletproof vest that contains organic molecules that absorb, scatter and reflect UV rays, thus protecting you and your family members from a silent killer called the sun. And over-exposure to UV rays means a significantly increased risk for skin cancer, which is the world’s most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, someone in the United States dies every hour from skin cancer. Two decades ago, sunscreen was relatively unheard of, whereas today it has become common jargon. Heightened awareness of skin cancer and the importance of sunscreen, even sun protective clothing have, in ways, only further confused us and perhaps even caused us to ignore the warnings. Have you ever wondered why there have been occasions when you slapped on a pound of SPF 45 before hitting the lake only return home burnt to a crisp? The problem is, we are told to use sunscreen but aren’t being instructed on how to properly apply it; to maximize its efficacy. Unlike a bulletproof vest, however, sunscreen must be re-applied in order for it to properly provide protection from UV rays. Consider the 30-20-2 rule: Apply an SPF 15+ sunscreen on at least 30-minutes prior to going outdoors (even on cloudy days), then reapply within the first 20-minutes of being outside, and then apply consistently in two hour intervals. (For children under 18, sunscreen must be applied every hour). The reason sunscreen works this way is based on the mechanics of our skin. Our skin works much how a sponge does. The top layer—the epidermis absorbs sunscreen, forming a protective layer on top of the skin that blocks UV rays from reaching the melanocytes (or “pigmentation cells”) that lie deep within the skin. Yet, your skin—the bodily organ—reaches its saturation point after approximately two hours, thus leaving you unprotected from UV exposure and causing sunburn and/or other skin-related damage. Hence, it is imperative that sunscreen be reapplied in order to maximize its protective powers. Alas, not all sunscreen products out on the market today work proficiently. To deliver optimum level of protection, a sunscreen must have sufficient quantities of essential ingredients. In other words, when choosing the best sunscreen product for your family, take a look at the bottle; make sure it contains proven effective agents such as zinc oxide. Furthermore, make sure the product is a broad-spectrum formula, meaning that it blocks both UV-B and UV-A rays. If the sunscreen is not broad-spectrum, don’t buy it! You are not being sufficiently protected or “covered.” The significance of a broad-spectrum sunscreen cannot be over-emphasized. UV-B and UV-A rays have varied affects on your skin, your immune system, and your body as a whole. UV-B irradiation disrupts the melanocytes, causing them to release the “redness” known as sunburn. Any change in the color of your skin as a result of over-exposure to the sun is damage to your skin, even if your skin tends to “tan” as opposed to burn. Any change in your skin pigmentation is your melanocytes trying to tell you that normal, healthy cells have been severely disrupted. On the other hand, damage to your skin caused by UV-A irradiation is far more serious. UV-rays are especially harmful as they penetrate deep beneath your epidermis, into the layer underneath known as the dermis. You typically do not see the immediate affects of UV-A rays, but they are the chief culprit behind photo-aging and wrinkling. Have you ever left basketball outside in the hot summer sun for a lengthy period of time? And after you retrieved the ball, you immediately notice that the elasticity of the ball is weakened—it feels “rubbery” and never quite “bounces back”? This is exactly what happens to your skin as a result of prolonged UV-A exposure. Both UV-B and UV-A rays have cumulative effects and coupled together can lead to skin cancer. Thusly, make sure you understand “SPF” when purchasing a brand of sunscreen, and do not be fooled by those that claim to deliver a high level of protection. For starters, “SPF” stands for sun protection factor (or: “sunburn protection factor”). The way SPF works can be best described by the following example: A SPF 20 sunscreen is only allowing five out of every 100 UV protons to reach your skin; hence it is protecting you from an estimated 95% of UV rays. With that said, dermatologist-oncologist Sancy A. Leachman, director of the Melanoma Research Clinic, recommends a SPF 15 sunscreen as ideal for daily, year-round use. Yet, if you are planning a long, leisurely day at Lake Powell (or even a marathon day on the ski slopes), up your sunscreen to a SPF 30 and be sure to apply the 30-20-2 rule so as to prevent a painful reminder of your day of recreation. In fact, Utahns especially ought to heed the call to become “religious” about sunscreen usage as they are at a particularly elevated risk for skin cancer. Higher land elevation increases the intensity of our UV exposure. In actual fact, nearly 50% of Utahns suffered a “severe sunburn” in a 12-month period last year, according to the American Cancer Society. Could this lack of regular sun safety be contributing to the ever-increasing skin cancer incidence? How many skin cancers could be avoided if we were to only properly use a SPF 15 broad-spectrum sunscreen? Certainly the world’s most common cancer can be prevented if we are more proactive about properly protecting ourselves with adequate sunscreen. © Copyrighted. The Cancer Crusaders Organization. 2005. Originally published in WOMEN’S LIFESTLYLE April 2005.
CHOOSE YOUR COVER: FINDING EFFECTIVE SUN PROTECTION By Danielle M. White With all of us feverishly trying to keep up with the latest fads Hollywood exports, finally there is a fashion tip that will truly enhance our lives. Recently, Tom Cruise’s former sidekick Nicole Kidman was quoted by the Associated Press as saying she wished she had not been born with red hair and fair skin as she is concerned about the amount sun exposure and its direct link to an increased risk for skin cancer. She should know, too. After all, she hails from Australia where skin cancer is an exploding epidemic. Subsequently, Australia is the leading the world in heightening the quality of skin cancer prevention education and proactive sun safety behavior. Truth be told, skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer. And we, Americans, are no exception to the rule. Every hour someone in the United States dies from skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Perhaps, Kidman’s example will encourage the propagation of a new fashion wave—that of sun protective clothing. Whereas, sun protective clothing (also known as ultraviolet radiation protective clothing) is widely used in Australia, Europe, and South Africa, it is relatively unknown here in the U.S.; however, UVR clothing has become a highly effective option for individuals to protect themselves from the harmful effects of UV-rays every day, all-year-round, especially when considering that the average white 100% cotton t-shirt is equivalent to only a SPF 6 and thus leaves us inadequately “covered up” from the sun. .On the other hand, UVR clothing blocks out 97.5% of UV rays (which is an equivalent to a SPF 30 or a “UVR 50”). This is considered by the Skin Cancer Foundation to be the most revolutionary new sun safety product available on the market today. If you consider that a SPF 20 is allowing only five out of every 100 UV protons to reach your skin, clearly wearing just a t-shirt is not enough to sufficiently protect ourselves from the damaging affects of the sun. Dermatologist-oncologist, Sancy A. Leachman of the Tom C. Matthews Jr. Familial Melanoma Research Clinic recommends that everyone use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 for daily, year-round use; SPF 30 is recommended if we are outdoors between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when UV rays are most intense. Proper use of sunscreen coupled with the wearing of UVR clothing is the quite simply the best protection available, she says. And her colleagues in the field of dermatological medicine agree. “Appropriate sun apparel should offer effective protection against both short term and long term photo damage [such as wrinkling, skin cancer, and even cataracts],” says Dr. J.M. Mentor, who also teaches dermatology at the Morehouse School of Medicine. In other words, effective sun safety apparel ought to protect against both UV-B and UV-A rays, and sun protective products such as those specially engineered and manufactured by Stingray® in Australia do exactly that. Stingray® is the original sun protection clothing company to specialize in UV protection swimwear and daily attire for children and adults. “As a result of listening to the needs of our many customers, we are able to deliver products that take the ‘sting out of the sun’s rays,’” says Wendy Lister, Managing Director of Stingray®. “[People] are now getting the best possible UV protection.” And now Utahns, who have the highest risk in for skin cancer in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Dermatology, are also being offered this essential UV protection. Glen and Liisa Tomson, natives of South Africa, have co-founded and established SunSmart Clothing, LLC. (a.k.a. GT Advantage) in Pleasant Grove, which is the premiere provider of this specially-engineering UVR clothing manufactured by Stingray®. As such, they have recently partnered up with the Cancer Crusaders Organization in a five-year international skin cancer prevention education campaign called Only Skin Deep? This aims to actively engage parents and young adults in the fight against this common, yet preventable disease. “We see a great and pressing need for increased awareness and education here in Utah,” says Glen Tomson. “Too many times my wife and I will be at the pool, and see all these children running around sun burnt. Often, we’ll offer to shade and sunscreen to the parents so they can better protect their children.” Glen and Liisa, in addition to being entrepreneurs and experts, are parents and realize the importance of instilling the practice of sunscreen usage and the wearing of UVR protective clothing among people while they are at a young age so as to develop a lifelong habit of sun safety behavior. In fact, the AAD reports that sustaining just one severe—blistering— sunburn before age 18 increases one’s likeliness of a future skin cancer diagnosis by an estimated 60%. In other words, 80% of one’s lifetime skin damage occurs in the first 18 years of life. This is of particular concern here in Utah, where our high elevation exposes us to more intense UV irradiation. Dr. Leachman illustrates it best by saying, “Someone standing on the summit of Mt. Timpanogos will burn 77 times faster than someone standing on a beach in Los Angeles.” The American Cancer Society solidifies Leachman’s remarks. The ACS estimates that more than 500 Utahns will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in 2005 (this is up from nearly 400 last year). “The risk is real,” Leachman says. “There is a real need for people to take necessary precautions.” On that note, there will be a free skin cancer screening at the Huntsman Cancer Institute on May 21. Please call 1-88*-424-2100 for details. Additionally, both SunSmart Clothing, LLC, and the Cancer Crusaders Organization will be hosting a skin cancer prevention education conference on May 23 at Corporate Alliance featuring special guest Miss Utah Amy Davis who will present a Sun Safety Fashion Show to introduce the revolutionary UVR products SunSmart Clothing, LLC, has to offer. For more information, please call 801.863.6351 or visit www.sunsmartclothing.com © Copyrighted. The Cancer Crusaders Organization. 2005. Originally published in WOMEN’S LIFESTLYLE May 2005.
EXPOSING THE TRUTH ABOUT TANNING, SUNSCREENS AND THE WORLD’S MOST COMMON CANCER By Danielle M. White With all of us feverishly trying to keep up with the latest fads Hollywood exports, finally there is a fashion tip that will truly enhance our lives. Recently, Tom Cruise’s former sidekick Nicole Kidman was quoted by the Associated Press as saying she wished she had not been born with red hair and fair skin as she is concerned about the amount sun exposure and its direct link to an increased risk for skin cancer, and for that reason is “big believer in using sunscreen.” She should know, too. After all, she hails from Australia where skin cancer is an exploding epidemic. In reality, skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer. And we, Americans, are no exception to the rule. Every hour someone in the United States dies from skin cancer, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In fact, Utah’s risk for skin cancer is the highest in the nation. Two decades ago, sunscreen was relatively unheard of, whereas today it has become common jargon. Heightened awareness of skin cancer and subsequently the importance of sunscreen and sun protective clothing have, in ways, only further confused us--or, perhaps even caused us to ignore the warnings. Have you ever wondered why there have been occasions when you slapped on a pound of SPF 45 before hitting the lake only return home burnt to a crisp? The problem is, we are told to use sunscreen but aren’t being instructed on how to properly apply it; to maximize its efficacy. Truth be told, sunscreen, when used properly, works much akin bulletproof vest—a thin and almost invisible bulletproof vest that contains organic molecules that absorb, scatter and reflect UV rays, thus protecting you and your family members from a silent killer called the sun. And over-exposure to UV rays means a significantly increased risk for skin cancer, which is the world’s most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, someone in the United States dies every hour from skin cancer. Unlike a bulletproof vest, however, sunscreen must be re-applied in order for it to properly provide protection from UV rays. Consider the 30-20-2 rule: Apply an SPF 15+ sunscreen on at least 30-minutes prior to going outdoors (even on cloudy days), then reapply within the first 20-minutes of being outside, and then apply consistently in two hour intervals. (For children under 18, sunscreen must be applied every hour). The reason sunscreen works this way is based on the mechanics of our skin. Our skin works much how a sponge does. The top layer—the epidermis absorbs sunscreen, forming a protective layer on top of the skin that blocks UV rays from reaching the melanocytes (or “pigmentation cells”) that lie deep within the skin. Yet, your skin—the bodily organ—reaches its saturation point after approximately two hours, thus leaving you unprotected from UV exposure and causing sunburn and/or other skin-related damage. Hence, it is imperative that sunscreen be reapplied in order to maximize its protective powers. With that said, comes the issue of tanning and the toll it takes on our skin, and ultimately our health. Contrary to popular belief, there simply is NO SUCH THING AS A SAFE TAN. Any tan is damage to your skin. The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) would have the consumer-driven pop culture hold to the myth that tanning beds are safe, and are even a viable way of treating a variety of skin issues such as acne, or even Seasonal Affective Disorder. Much to the contrary, and research proves it. The Food and Drug Administration, in juxtaposition with research conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology and the Centers for Disease Control have shed some light on this issue, thus proving valuable insight into a media-inundated industry wrought with misleading, confusing, and even erroneous claims. Dr. Elizabeth Whitmore, of the AAD, says “People continue to invest both time and money into visiting tanning salons despite evidence which have found an increased incidence of melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer— in those who visit indoor tanning salons.” Joyce Ayoub, director of public information at the national Skin Cancer Foundation, agrees, “There is a myth that people like to believe, but it is a myth; not fact. Any tan means damage to the skin.” Further illustrating this point is a recent study headed by a team of scientists and researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. These researchers discovered that the use of tanning beds and artificial tanning light sources—even just once, can, indeed, lead to molecular changes in the skin that may lead to cancer. “In comparing the effects of a teenager who was exposed for the first dose of tanning beds to multiple doses […] it is evident that there is damage sustained to the molecular structure of the skin even having only been exposed once,” Whitmore says. The researchers at Johns Hopkins, who conducted the study of 10 teenagers who were exposed to full-body tanning beds over a period of two weeks which, she says was similar to the routine “a teenager preparing for prom or for a tropical vacation” would undertake. The researched found that the subjects’ skin and blood, (which was carefully analyzed both prior to the UV exposure and after the exposure) had two distinct markers that indicated molecular change. Whitmore adds, “It’s another indication that there is biologic activity and that there is cell damage when the skin is exposed to UV rays. This repair process can eventually fail to do its job completely or correctly causing the cells to replicate abnormally [...] this breakdown in the normal functioning of cells can lead to malignant cancer.” In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology asserts that nearly 90% of skin carcinomas are a result of over-exposure to UV rays. Thusly, the Cancer Crusaders Organization randomly surveyed 500 Utah college-aged students (18-to-25), and found that nearly 100% reported to having used a tanning bed at least once in their lifetime. After having been apprised of the risks and dangers associated with tanning, many were undeterred. “Not only does tanning help my acne, it helps me a lot during this time of year when there’s a great deal of pressure with upcoming finals and during the stresses of the holidays,” says Amanda Gusciano, a senior Brigham Young University. “Even though, I am aware of the dangers of tanning, there is still that temptation; I haven’t stopped using tanning beds and I never use sunscreens.” The significance of a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UV-B and UV-A rays cannot be over-emphasized. UV-B and UV-A rays have varied affects on your skin, your immune system, and your body as a whole. UV-B irradiation disrupts the melanocytes, causing them to release the “redness” known as sunburn. Any change in the color of your skin as a result of over-exposure to the sun is damage to your skin, even if your skin tends to “tan” as opposed to burn. Any change in your skin pigmentation is your melanocytes trying to tell you that normal, healthy cells have been severely disrupted. On the other hand, damage to your skin caused by UV-A irradiation is far more serious. UV-rays are especially harmful as they penetrate deep beneath your epidermis, into the layer underneath known as the dermis. You typically do not see the immediate affects of UV-A rays, but they are the chief culprit behind photo-aging and wrinkling. Have you ever left basketball outside in the hot summer sun for a lengthy period of time? And after you retrieved the ball, you immediately notice that the elasticity of the ball is weakened—it feels “rubbery” and never quite “bounces back”? This is exactly what happens to your skin as a result of prolonged UV-A exposure. Both UV-B and UV-A rays have cumulative effects and coupled together can lead to skin cancer. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure you understand “SPF” and do not be fooled by those that claim to deliver a high level of protection. For starters, “SPF” stands for sun protection factor (or: “sunburn protection factor”). The way SPF works can be best described by the following example: A SPF 20 sunscreen is only allowing five out of every 100 UV protons to reach your skin; hence it is protecting you from an estimated 95% of UV rays. With that said, dermatologist-oncologist Sancy A. Leachman, director of the Melanoma Research Clinic, recommends a SPF 15 sunscreen as ideal for daily, year-round use. Yet, if you are planning a long, leisurely day at Lake Powell (or even a marathon day on the ski slopes), up your sunscreen to a SPF 30 and be sure to apply the 30-20-2 rule so as to prevent a painful reminder of your day of recreation. In fact, Utahns especially ought to heed the call to become “religious” about sunscreen usage as they are at a particularly elevated risk for skin cancer. Higher land elevation increases the intensity of our UV exposure. In actual fact, nearly 50% of Utahns suffered a “severe sunburn” in a 12-month period last year, according to the American Cancer Society. Could this lack of regular sun safety be contributing to the ever-increasing skin cancer incidence? How many skin cancers could be avoided if we were to only properly use a SPF 15 broad-spectrum sunscreen? Certainly the world’s most common cancer can be prevented if we are more proactive about properly protecting ourselves with adequate sunscreen.
© Copyrighted. The Cancer Crusaders Organization. 2005. Originally published in UTAH VALLEY MAGAZINE May/June 2005.
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Utah Cancer Crusaders Organization (UCC) |