Indianapolis, May 19, 2011 -- With warmer temperatures upon us and spring in full bloom, the sun can play a tricky role in our daily lives. While the sun tends to brighten our moods and provide health benefits with regards to vitamin D production, ultraviolet rays can have damaging short- and long-term affects on our skin. Even on cloudy days it is important to be aware of the sun's impact.
Spending time outdoors can often contribute to an increased spirit and a boost in quality of life and not just for obvious reasons. The sun and bright light stimulate the production of dopamine and serotonin hormones in the body and has a positive affect on the body’s melatonin levels, all of which contribute to how emotion and mood function in the brain.
In addition, according to a study released by the U.S. Department of Energy, the positives can outweigh the negatives with regards to moderate sun exposure, especially since sunlight converts certain chemicals to vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the human body and has several crucial roles, including contributing to calcium absorption for bone health, neuromuscular functions, cell growth and significant immune functions. It also helps protect the body against effects of certain diseases and cancers.
However, vitamin D can be obtained through certain foods and supplements, and overexposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays can be far-reaching. Affecting more people in the United States than any form of cancer, skin cancer is one of the only known cancers that can be greatly reduced or prevented by avoiding certain environmental factors, said Dr. Lawrence Mark, dermatology service chief at Wishard Health Services and assistant professor of dermatology at the IU School of Medicine.
There are several forms of skin cancer, the most common and least serious being basal cell carcinoma caused primarily by UVB rays that combat the surface of the skin. This and others of its kind are generally easy to cure and have low mortality rates. Malignant melanoma, however, is the most serious form of skin cancer and is caused by UVA rays that penetrate deep within the skin. Dr. Mark said melanoma can spread quickly and affects approximately one out of 50 Americans.
Although moderate exposure to sun of around 20 minutes at a time, two or three times a week, is usually not a problem, doctors recommend certain precautionary measures for increased exposure times. Some recommendations include: avoiding the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun is at its highest peak; applying a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to exposure and reapplying every two hours or after swimming or sweating; wearing a baseball hat or a hat with a three-inch brim; finding shade to sit in when applicable; and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
"Our general stance is that sun avoidance is the best prevention," Dr. Mark said, adding that the time it takes for skin damage to develop as a result of sun exposure can vary from person to person, but is usually measured in years.
As with any cancer, skin cancer is most easily treated when spotted early, so doctors suggest monthly self-examinations to check for signs that skin cancer may be present. An easy test is looking for what dermatologists term the A-B-C-Ds, standing for asymmetric, border, color and diameter. Doctors stress that any skin marks that are asymmetric, have an irregular border, have recently changed color or have grown larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser should be examined more closely.
Dr. Mark suggests that if someone has a concern about skin health, he or she should make an appointment to see a primary care physician or dermatologist. For more information about finding a primary care physician or dermatologist, please call Health Connection at Wishard at (317) 655-2255.