ased on statistics compiled by the Skin Cancer Foundation, 90 percent of
nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from the sun. The danger is real. But while many may have heard about
harmful effects of sun exposure, much is still to be done to ensure that the general
public is aware of the health risks involved.
“The American Cancer Society cites that nearly 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin
cancers are diagnosed each year. This means that despite the enormous amount of information available to consumers, there is still a great deal to be done to educate people on the
risks of exposure to UV damage,” says Sanitas Skincare owner and CEO Lisa Crary.
Children learn sun safety at a colorescience sun awareness campaign.
The Dangers of Skin Cancer
Annette Sandford-Lopez, director of health club and spa at
The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place located in Charleston,
South Carolina, is a long-time advocate of sun protection
awareness. “Over the past three decades, more people have
had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. One person
dies of melanoma every hour! An estimated 74,000 new cases
of invasive melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2016,”
says Sandford-Lopez, citing statistics from the American
Cancer Society.
Nikki Peters, global marketing director of Exuviance Skin
Lab, says there are clear pieces of research that point to sun
exposure as the primary cause of skin cancer. “The impact of
unprotected UV exposure on later development of melanoma
August 2016
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