Skin cancer is becoming more of a threat to people every day, as people are now getting skin cancer more often than all other types of cancer combined since around 1980. Additionally, forty to fifty percent of Americans who reach the age of 65 will deal with either a case of basal cell carcinoma (a slow-growing type of skin cancer that rarely spreads unless left untreated for long periods) or squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer that grows more aggressively than basal cell cancers2) at some point in their lives.1 Due to this increasing threat, it is vital that people take every possible step to ensure that they keep their risk of contracting skin cancer as low as possible.
This also includes those people who have active lifestyles. Many people fall under the impression that those who appear healthy, strong, and active have virtually no chance of getting such a disease as skin cancer. However, this is not the case, as virtually any person can contract skin cancer, depending on his or her individual risk factors.
While a person is not able to change any occurrences of skin cancer in one’s own family line, you can take action toward limiting exposure to the sunlight and its harmful ultraviolet rays, which have been proven to be a direct link to increasing one’s skin cancer risk.
Even Skiers and Snowboarders Should Be Wearing Sunscreen
It makes perfect sense to presume that people who are out in the hot, bright sunshine on a regular basis should be wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher, as this will help to block out much of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.3 This includes such groups of people as beach volleyball players, golfers, and soccer players, who spend considerable amounts of time in the sun while playing their particular sport.
However, what one may feel to realize is that groups such as skiers and snowboarders should also be wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks out both UVA and UVB rays. In fact, it’s recommended that the sunscreen has an SPF factor of at least 30 and has some type of combination of the following ingredients.4
- Avobenzone
- Ecamsule
- Oxybenzone
- Titantium dioxide
- Zinc oxide
This may be surprising to some people due to the fact that skiing and snowboarding are most commonly associated with the winter season, as well as with the elements of snow and ice and not with the sun. However, the places that offer the best skiing and snowboarding conditions are up at higher altitudes in the mountains, and that is what makes the sun’s rays deadly for these sports enthusiasts.
The higher altitude leads to a higher risk of sun-induced skin damage from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. In fact, UV radiation exposure increases by 8-10% for every 1,000 feet one climbs above sea level. This means that the sun’s rays are actually more lethal and increase the chances of contracting skin cancer than they do if people are at sea level, as golfers, swimmers, and beach volleyballers often are.
This is why it’s recommended that snowboarders and skiers wear a broad spectrum sunscreen that has a SPF of at least 30, along with a combination of the ingredients mentioned above. It should be applied 30 minutes before hitting the slopes and it should be applied generously to all areas of exposed skin.4 These sports enthusiasts should also wear a lip balm that has an SPF of 15 or higher, as lips can take quite a beating from the wind, cold, and sunshine located at higher altitudes. These steps will provide these sports enthusiasts with the proper protection to keep the sun’s lethal UV rays from increasing one’s chances of obtaining skin cancer.
Hats and Sunglasses Can Lead to Greater Protection from Skin Cancer
Virtually every person wants to look cool when he or she is out and about, but choosing the proper attire can decrease one’s risk of contracting skin cancer. One such accessory that every person should be wearing to protect from the sun’s harmful UV radiation is the broad-brimmed hat. The tightly-woven straw hat or the versatile floppy hat is not only a popular fashion piece in the summer, but also provides adequate protection for one’s neck, face, and the tops of the shoulders.5
Another smart accessory to wear during the summer months is sunglasses, particularly sunglasses that provide 99-100% filtration of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. These will help to protect one’s eyes from the bright sun, as well as areas of one’s face. “Aviators” that have oversized, teardrop-shaped lenses or “wayfarers” that have distinctive four-sided lenses are great choices for fashionable sunglasses that provide adequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays.5
Clothing Can Also Provide Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation
Many sportswear outfitters are providing clothing options that are not only stylish, but also increase one’s protection from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. It’s important to look for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of at least 30 or higher, as this will allow no more than 1/30th of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to reach your skin. There are summer dresses, cargo shorts, polo shirts, long pants, and other summer outfits that will not only protect you from the sun, but will also make you look good and keep you dry and cool as well, as they draw sweat and water away from your skin.5
Steps for Sports Enthusiasts to Take To Protect Themselves from Skin Cancer
Obviously, if you are training for an outdoor sport, such as marathons or triathlons, you’re going to be outdoors during your training sessions, as well as for the actual event when it occurs. To minimize your risk of skin cancer, you should do the following steps.
If you’re involved in a triathlon that involves swimming, biking, and running, make sure to reapply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher after you are finished with the swimming portion of your training or event, as sunscreens with SPFs of 30 or higher still need to be reapplied regularly, especially after being in water.
Try to train outside of the time period when the sun’s rays are strongest, between 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., as this will help to minimize your risk of contracting skin cancer later in life.
While many athletes conditioning themselves for marathons and triathlons prefer to wear as little clothing as possible for the purposes of gaining better speed, you should cover as much skin as possible during your training to reduce your skin’s exposure to the sun. This includes wearing long shorts or sweatpants, a sleeved shirt or sweatshirt, along with socks and UV-blocking sunglasses.6
Wearing the Proper Attire and Accessories Can Greatly Minimize Your Risks of Developing Skin Cancer Later in Life
Sports enthusiasts are out in the sunshine regularly, whether they are training for marathons or triathlons, play summer sports such as beach volleyball or golf, or play winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding. All of these enthusiasts are at the increased risk of developing skin cancer later in life due to the absorption of the sun’s UV rays. By wearing the proper attire that has a UPF of at least 30, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and hats and sunglasses to protect their faces, necks, and shoulders, sports enthusiasts can continue enjoying the sports they love without increasing their risks for skin cancer later in their lives.
References
1 2009 Skin Cancer Fact Sheet. (2011). American Melanoma Foundation. Retrieved from: www.melanomafoundation.org/facts/statistics.htm
2 What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers? (2011, June 21). From The American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-BasalandSquamousCell/DetailedGuide/skin-cancer-basal-and-squamous-cell-what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell
3UV Radiation and Cancer. (2007) American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/documents/document/uvradiationandcancerpdf.pdf
4 Outdoor sports and skin cancer. (2008 Jan-Feb). Clinical Dermatology, 26(1)12-5.
5 Choose Your Cover. (2008 April 28) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/chooseyourcover/.
6 Ibid
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