|
Did You Know That Most Cancers Can Be Linked To Nutrition Deficiency?
Click Here For The Latest In Proven Cancer Nutrition And Supplements!
Skin Cancer
Prevention and Early Detection
Contents:
Understanding Skin Cancer
Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation
What Is the Ultraviolet (UV) Index?
Are Some People More Prone to Sun Damage?
How Do I Protect Myself from UV Rays?
What About Tanning Pills and Other Tanning Products?
Examining Your Skin
If You Find Anything Suspicious
Additional Resources
Skin cancer is the most common of all
cancer types. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer
types. There are more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed
each year in the United States. That’s more than cancers
of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and
pancreas combined. And the number of skin cancers has been
on the rise for the past few decades.
The good news is that there is a lot you
can do to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer,
or to catch it early enough so that it can be treated effectively.
Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) rays. Much of this exposure comes from the sun, but
some may come from manmade sources, such as tanning beds.
This document discusses how skin cancer develops and some
simple steps you can take to help protect yourself from
getting it. It also describes how to look for possible signs
of skin cancer on your body. Finding possible skin cancers
doesn’t require any x-rays or blood tests -- just your eyes
and a mirror. If skin cancer does develop, detecting it
early is the best way to ensure it can be treated effectively.
Understanding Skin Cancer
Types of Skin Cancer
Skin cancers are often divided into 2 groups – melanomas
and non-melanomas. It is important for doctors to tell these
apart, because they are treated differently. It is also
important for you to know what melanomas and non-melanomas
look like. That way, you can find them at the earliest possible
stage, when skin cancers are most easily cured.
Non-melanomas
Non-melanomas include basal cell cancers and squamous cell
cancers. They are the most common cancers of the skin. They
are called non-melanomas because they develop from skin
cells other than melanocytes (the cells that make the brown
pigment that gives skin its color). Both basal cell and
squamous cell cancers are found mainly on sun-exposed parts
of the body such as the head and neck, and their occurrence
is related to lifetime sun exposure.
Non-melanomas rarely spread elsewhere in the body and are
less likely than melanomas to be fatal. Nonetheless, they
are important to recognize. If left untreated, they can
grow quite large and can cause scarring, disfigurement,
or even loss of function in some parts of the body.
Melanomas
A melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes. Melanomas
can occur anywhere on the skin, but are more likely to develop
in certain locations. The trunk is the most common site
in men. In women, the legs are most commonly affected. Some
experts think that melanomas develop more often in these
spots because sun exposure in these areas comes and goes
and sunburn is more likely. Rarely, melanomas can also develop
in other areas, such as the eyes.
Melanoma is much less common than basal cell and squamous
cell skin cancers, but it can be far more serious. Like
basal cell and squamous cell cancers, melanoma is almost
always curable in its early stages. But it is much more
likely than basal or squamous cell cancer to spread to other
parts of the body, where it can be very hard to treat.
Understanding Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a form of invisible energy given
off by the sun. Ultraviolet radiation is divided into 3
wavelength ranges:
• UVA rays are involved in the aging of cells and produce
some damage to cells’ DNA. They are mainly linked to long-term
skin damage such as wrinkles, but are also thought to play
a role in some skin cancers.
• UVB rays are mainly responsible for direct damage to the
DNA, and are the rays that cause sunburns. They are also
thought to cause most skin cancers.
• UVC rays don’t penetrate our atmosphere and therefore
are not present in sunlight. They are not normally a risk
factor for skin cancer.
While UVA and UVB rays make up only a
very small portion of the sun's wavelengths, they are primarily
responsible for the damaging effects of the sun on the skin.
UVB radiation damages the DNA of skin cells. Skin cancers
begin when this damage affects the DNA of genes that control
skin cell growth. Recent research has found that UVA also
contributes to skin cancer formation. Scientists now believe
that both UVA and UVB rays damage skin and cause skin cancer.
There are no safe UV rays.
Skin cancers are one concern from getting
too much sun, but there are others as well. The short-term
results of unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays
are sunburn and tanning. Long-term exposure causes prematurely
aged skin, wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, dark patches
(lentigos, sometimes called "age spots" or "liver
spots"), and precancerous skin changes (such as actinic
keratoses).
The sun's UV rays also increase the risk
of cataracts and certain other eye problems and can suppress
the immune system. Although dark-skinned people are generally
less likely to get skin cancer than light-skinned people,
they can still get cataracts and immune system suppression.
What Is the UV Index?
To increase awareness of the damaging potential of UV radiation,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National
Weather Service have developed the UV Index. The UV index
number, on a scale from 1 to 11+, is a measure of the amount
of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface during an hour
around noon. The higher the number, the greater the exposure
to UV radiation.
The UV index is projected daily for regions throughout the
country. Many newspaper and television weather forecasts
now include the projected UV index for the following day.
Further information about the UV index, as well as predictions
for the following day’s UV index by zip codes, is available
on the EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html
Are Some People More Prone to
Sun Damage?
Everyone's skin and eyes can be damaged by the sun and other
UV rays. Although people with light skin are more likely
to have sun damage, darker skinned people, including African
Americans and Hispanic Americans, also can be affected.
People with darker skin tan more easily
than others. But tanning is still a form of skin damage.
Tanning occurs when UV radiation is absorbed by the skin,
causing an increase in the activity and number of melanocytes,
the cells that make the pigment melanin. Melanin helps to
block out damaging rays up to a point, which is why darker
skinned people burn less easily.
Those with lighter skin are more likely
to burn. Sunburns are thought to increase your risk of skin
cancer, especially melanoma. But UV exposure can raise skin
cancer risk even without causing a sunburn.
Aside from skin tone, other factors can
also affect your risk of damage from UV light. You need
to be especially careful in the sun if you:
• have lots of moles, irregular moles, or large moles
• have freckles and burn before tanning
• have fair skin or blond, red, or light brown hair
• were previously treated for skin cancer
• have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
• live or vacation at high altitudes (UV radiation increases
4% to 5% for every 1,000 feet above sea level)
• live or vacation in tropical or subtropical climates
• work indoors all week and then get a tan on weekends
• spend a lot of time outdoors
• have certain autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE, or “lupus”)
• have had an organ transplant
• take medicines that lower your immunity
• take oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• take tetracycline, sulfa drugs or certain other antibiotics
• take naproxen sodium or certain other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs
• take phenothiazines (major tranquilizers and anti-nausea
drugs)
• take tricyclic antidepressants
• take thiazide diuretics (medicines used for high blood
pressure and some heart conditions)
• take sulfonylureas (a form of oral anti-diabetic medication)
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist
about the risk of any medicines you may be taking that could
be harmful to you if you are exposed to sunlight.
How Do I Protect Myself From UV
Rays?
It isn’t possible or practical to completely avoid sunlight,
and it would be unwise to reduce your level of activity
to avoid the outdoors. Small amounts of sunlight also help
the body to make vitamin D, which can be important for good
health. But too much sunlight can be harmful. There are
some precautions that you can take to limit your amount
of exposure to UV rays.
Some people think about sun protection
only when they spend a day at the lake, beach, or pool.
But sun exposure adds up day after day, and it happens every
time you are in the sun. Following these practical steps
can help protect you from the effects of the sun. These
steps complement each other – they provide the best protection
when used in combination.
Limit Direct Sun Exposure During
Midday
UV rays are most intense during the middle
of the day, usually between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM.
If you are unsure about the sun's intensity, take the shadow
test: If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun's rays
are the strongest. Plan activities out of the sun during
these times. If you must be outdoors, protect your skin.
UV rays reach the ground even on cloudy
days. UV rays can also pass through water, so don't assume
you're safe if you're in the water and feeling cool. Be
especially careful on the beach and in the snow because
sand and snow reflect sunlight, increasing the amount of
UV radiation you receive.
Some UV rays can also pass through windows.
Typical car, home, and office windows block most of the
UVB rays but a smaller portion of UVA rays, so even if you
don’t feel you’re getting burned your skin may still get
some long-term damage. Tinted windows help block more UVA
rays, although this depends upon the type of tinting. UV
radiation that comes through windows probably doesn’t pose
a great risk to most people unless they spend extended periods
of time close to a window that receives direct sunlight.
If you plan to be outdoors, you may want
to check the UV Index for your area. The UV Index usually
can be found in the local newspaper or on TV and radio news
broadcasts. It is also available on the EPA’s Web site at
www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html.
Cover Up
When in the sun, wear clothing to protect
as much skin as possible. Clothes provide different levels
of protection, depending on many factors. Long-sleeved shirts,
long pants, or long skirts are the most protective. Dark
colors generally provide more protection than light colors.
A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven
clothing. Dry fabric is generally more protective than wet
fabric. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can
get through too. Be aware that covering up doesn’t block
out all UV rays. A typical light T-shirt worn in the summer
usually provides less protection than a sunscreen with a
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
The ideal sun-protective fabrics are lightweight,
comfortable, and protect against exposure even when wet.
A few companies in the United States now make sun-protective
clothing. They tend to be more tightly woven, and some have
special coatings to help absorb UV rays. Some sun-protective
clothes have a label listing the Ultraviolet Protection
Factor (UPF) value - the level of protection the garment
provides from the sun's UV rays (on a scale from 15 to 50+).
The higher the UPF, the higher the protection from UV rays.
Children’s swimsuits made from sun-protective
fabric and designed to cover the child from the neck to
the knees are popular in Australia. They are now available
in some areas of the United States.
Wear a Hat
A hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim
all around is ideal because it protects areas often exposed
to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose,
and scalp. A shade cap (which looks like a baseball cap
with about 7 inches of fabric draping down the sides and
back) also is good. These are often sold in sports and outdoor
supply stores.
A baseball cap can protect the front and
top of the head but not the back of the neck or the ears,
where skin cancers commonly develop.
Use a Sunscreen With a Sun Protection
Factor (SPF) of 15 or Higher
A sunscreen is a product that you apply
to the skin for some protection against the sun's UV rays,
although it does not provide total protection. Sunscreens
are available as lotions, creams, ointments, gels, and wax
sticks.
Some cosmetics, such as lipsticks and
foundations, also are considered sunscreen products if they
contain sunscreen. Some makeup contains sunscreen, but only
the label can tell you. Makeup, including lipstick, without
sunscreen does not provide sun protection. Check the labels
to find out.
Experts recommend products with an SPF
of at least 15. The SPF number represents the level of protection
against UVB rays provided by the sunscreen -- a higher number
means more protection.
It is important to remember that sunscreen
does not give you total protection. When using an SPF 15
and applying it correctly, you get the equivalent of 1 minute
of UVB rays for each 15 minutes you spend in the sun. So,
2 hours in the sun wearing SPF 15 sunscreen is the same
as spending 8 minutes totally unprotected. For high-glare
situations, a higher SPF sunscreen or zinc oxide may be
used on your nose and lips.
When selecting a sunscreen product, be
sure to read the label before you buy. The SPF number is
an indication of protection against UVB rays only. Sunscreen
products labeled "broad-spectrum" protect against
UVA and UVB radiation, but there is no standard system for
measuring protection from UVA rays. Products with an SPF
of 15 or higher that contain avobenzone (Parsol 1789), zinc
oxide, or titanium dioxide are likely to be effective against
the entire spectrum of UVA rays.
Most sunscreen products expire within
2 to 3 years, but you should check the expiration date on
the container to be sure it is still fully effective.
Some sunscreen products can irritate some
people's skin. Many products claim to be "hypoallergenic"
or "dermatologist tested," but the only way to
know for sure whether a product will irritate your skin
is to apply a small amount to your skin for 3 days. If your
skin does not turn red or become tender and itchy, the product
should be okay for you.
Be sure to apply the sunscreen properly.
Always follow the label directions. Most recommend applying
sunscreen generously to dry skin 20 to 30 minutes before
going outside so the chemicals have time to absorb into
your skin. When applying it, pay close attention to your
face, ears, hands, and arms, and generously coat the skin
that is not covered by clothing. If you’re going to be wearing
insect repellent or makeup, sunscreen should be applied
before those products.
Be generous. About 1 ounce of sunscreen
(a "palmful") should be used to cover the arms,
legs, neck and face of the average adult. For best results,
most sunscreens must be reapplied at least every 2 hours
and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Products
labeled "waterproof" may provide protection for
at least 80 minutes even when swimming or sweating. Products
that are "water resistant" may provide protection
for only 40 minutes. Remember that sunscreen usually rubs
off when you towel yourself dry, so you will need to reapply.
Use sunscreen lip balm.
If you or your child burn easily, be extra
careful to cover up, limit exposure, and apply sunscreen.
Do not use sunscreens on babies younger
than 6 months. Instead, use hats, clothing, and shading
to protect small babies from the sun.
Sunless tanning products, such as bronzers
and extenders (described below), give skin a golden color.
Unlike sunscreens, these products do not protect you from
UV damage.
Wear Sunglasses That Block UV
Rays
Research has shown that long hours in
the sun without eye protection increases the chances of
developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help
protect your eyes from sun damage.
The ideal sunglasses do not have to be
expensive, but they should block 99% to 100% of UVA and
UVB radiation. Check the label to be sure they do. Some
labels may read, "UV absorption up to 400 nm."
This is the same as 100% UV absorption. Also, labels that
read "Meets ANSI UV Requirements" mean the glasses
block at least 99% of UV rays. Those labeled "cosmetic"
block about 70% of the UV rays. It there is no label, don't
assume the sunglasses provide any protection.
Darker glasses are not necessarily better
because the UV protection comes from an invisible chemical
applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of
the lenses. Look for an ANSI label.
Ideally, all types of eyewear, including
prescription glasses, contact lenses, and intraocular lens
implants used in cataract surgery, should absorb the entire
UV spectrum.
Large-framed and wraparound sunglasses
are more likely to protect your eyes from light coming in
from different angles. Children need smaller versions of
real, protective adult sunglasses -- not toy sunglasses.
Avoid Tanning Beds and Sunlamps
Many people believe that the UV rays of
tanning beds are harmless. This is not true. Tanning lamps
give out UVA and frequently UVB rays as well. Both UVA and
UVB rays can cause serious long-term skin damage, and both
contribute to skin cancer. Because of these dangers, many
health experts advise people to avoid sunlamps and tanning
beds.
What About Tanning Pills and Other
Tanning Products?
Several products claim to give a tan without
UV radiation.
Tanning pills contain color additives
similar to beta-carotene, the substance that gives carrots
their orange color. The additives are distributed throughout
the body, especially the skin, turning it an orange-like
color. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
approved some of these additives for coloring food, they
are not approved for use in tanning agents. At the high
levels that are consumed in tanning pills, they may be harmful.
The main ingredient in sunless tanning pills, canthaxanthin,
can deposit in the eyes as yellow crystals, which may cause
injury and impaired vision. There have also been reports
of liver and skin problems, as well as one reported case
of a woman who died from aplastic anemia, which her doctor
attributed to her use of tanning pills.
Tanning accelerators, such as lotions
or pills that contain the amino acid tyrosine or its derivatives,
are not effective and may be dangerous. Marketers promote
these products as substances that stimulate the body's own
tanning process, although evidence suggests they don't work.
The FDA considers them unapproved new drugs that have not
been proven safe and effective.
No tanning pills have been approved by
the FDA.
Two other sunless tanning products, bronzers
and extenders, are considered cosmetics for external use
and are not thought to be harmful when used properly. Bronzers,
made from color additives approved by FDA for cosmetic use,
stain the skin for a short time when applied and can be
washed off with soap and water. Extenders (also known as
sunless tanners or self-tanners) are applied to the skin
as lotions or creams, where they interact with protein on
the surface of the skin to produce color. The color tends
to wear off after a few days. The only color additive FDA
approved for extenders is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Because
application of these products can sometimes lead to uneven
coloring, some tanning salons have begun to offer whole
body sprays in tanning booths. A concern here is that DHA
is approved for external use only and should not be sprayed
in or on the mouth, eyes, or nose. Consumers who choose
to get a DHA spray should make sure to protect these areas.
Although they can give skin a darker color,
these products do not offer protection from the damaging
effects of UV radiation.
Examining Your Skin
Get Your Skin Checked by Your Doctor
As part of a routine cancer-related checkup, doctor should
check your skin carefully. He or she should be willing to
discuss any concerns you might have about this exam.
How to Check Your Skin
It's important to check your own skin, preferably once a
month. A self exam is best done in a well-lit room in front
of a full-length mirror. A hand-held mirror can be used
for areas that are hard to see. A spouse or close friend
or family member may be able to help you with these exams,
especially for those hard-to-see areas like the lower back
or the back of your thighs.
The first time you inspect your skin, spend a fair amount
of time carefully going over the entire surface of your
skin. Learn the pattern of moles, blemishes, freckles, and
other marks on your skin so that you'll notice any changes
next time. Any trouble spots should be seen by a doctor.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to perform your skin
self-exam:
Face the mirror:
Check your face, ears, neck, chest, and belly. Women will
need to lift breasts to check the skin underneath.
Check the underarm areas, both sides of
the arms, the tops and bottoms of your hands, in between
your fingers, and fingernail beds.
Sit Down:
Check the front of your thighs, shins, tops of your feet,
in between your toes, and toenail beds.
You will need a hand mirror for your thighs, back, and scalp.
Now look at the bottoms of your feet,
your calves, and the backs of your thighs, first checking
one leg and then the other.
Use the hand mirror to check the buttocks,
genital area, lower back, upper back, and the back of the
neck.
Or it may be easier to look at your back in the wall mirror
using a hand mirror.
Use a comb or hair dryer to part your hair so that you can
check your scalp. What to Look For
Non-melanomas: The most common non-melanoma skin cancers
are basal cell cancers and squamous cell cancers. They are
most often found in areas that get a lot of sun exposure
such as the head, neck, and arms. Look for new growths,
spots, bumps, patches, or sores that don’t heal after 2
to 3 months.
Basal cell carcinomas often look like flat, firm, pale areas
or small, raised, pink or red, translucent, shiny, waxy
areas that may bleed following minor injury. They may have
one or more irregular blood vessels, a lower area in their
center, and/or blue, brown, or black areas. Large basal
cell carcinomas may have oozing or crusted areas.
Squamous cell carcinomas may look like growing lumps, often
with a rough, scaly, or crusted surface. They may also look
like flat reddish patches in the skin that grow slowly.
Squamous cell carcinoma is linked to too much exposure to
the sun.
Both of these types of non-melanoma skin cancer may develop
as a flat area showing only slight changes from normal skin.
Actinic keratosis, also known as solar keratosis, is a precancerous
skin condition caused by too much sun exposure. Actinic
keratoses are small (usually less than ¼ inch) rough
spots that may be pink-red or flesh-colored. Usually they
develop on the face, ears, back of the hands, and arms of
middle-aged or older people with fair skin, although they
can arise in younger people or on other sun-exposed areas
of the skin. People with one actinic keratosis usually develop
many more. Some can grow into squamous cell cancers, but
others may stay the same or even shrink. Because they can
turn cancerous, such areas should be regularly looked at
by a doctor. The doctor can then decide whether these areas
should be removed.
Melanomas: The “ABCD rule” is an easy guide to the usual
signs of melanoma. Be on the lookout and tell your doctor
about any spots that match the following description:
• A is for ASYMMETRY: One half of a mole or birthmark does
not match the other.
• B is for BORDER: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched,
or blurred.
• C is for COLOR The color is not the same all over and
may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches
of red, white, or blue.
• D is for DIAMETER: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters
across (about ¼ inch — the size of a pencil eraser)
or is growing larger.
Other important signs of melanoma include changes in size,
shape, or color of a mole or the appearance of a new spot.
Some melanomas do not fit the ABCD rule described above,
so it is very important for you to notice changes in skin
markings or new spots on your skin.
Other warning signs are:
• a sore that does not heal
• a new growth
• spread of pigment from the border of a spot to surrounding
skin
• redness or a new swelling beyond the border
• change in sensation – itchiness, tenderness, or pain
• change in the surface of a mole – scaliness, oozing, bleeding,
or the appearance of a bump or nodule.
If You Find Anything Suspicious
It's important to know the difference between melanoma and
a harmless mole. A normal mole is most often an evenly colored
brown, tan, or black spot on the skin. It can be either
flat or raised. It can be round or oval. Moles are usually
less than 1/4 inch in diameter, or about the width of a
pencil eraser. Moles can be present at birth or they can
appear later. Several moles can appear at the same time.
Once a mole has developed, it will usually stay the same
size, shape, and color for many years. Moles may fade away
in older people.
Most people have moles, and almost all moles are harmless.
But it is important to recognize changes in a mole – such
as its size, shape, or color – that suggest a melanoma may
be developing.
Be sure to show your doctor any area that concerns you.
A qualified doctor should be able to identify any suspicious
areas you may have. If your doctor suspects you might have
skin cancer, he or she will use one or more of the following
methods to find out.
History and Physical Exam
Usually the first step is to take your medical history (ask
questions about symptoms and risk factors). The doctor probably
will ask your age, when the mark on the skin first appeared,
and whether it has changed in size or appearance. You may
also be asked about past exposures to known causes of skin
cancer and whether you or anyone in your family has had
skin cancer.
The doctor will note the size, shape, color, and texture
of the area in question, and whether there is bleeding or
scaling. The rest of your body may be checked for spots
and moles that may be related to skin cancer. The doctor
may also check nearby lymph nodes (bean-sized collections
of immune system cells that fight infections). Some skin
cancers may spread to lymph nodes. Affected lymph nodes
may become larger and firmer than usual.
If there is any chance that you have skin cancer you should
see a dermatologist, a medical doctor who specializes in
skin problems. He or she will look at the area closely and
determine what steps to take next.
Some dermatologists use dermoscopy (also known as epiluminescence
microscopy (ELM) or dermatoscopy) to help determine if a
spot might be a melanoma. This involves using a special
microscope and light source to see the spot on the skin
more clearly. Sometimes a thin layer of oil will be used
with this instrument. The spot may be recorded as a picture
or computer image. Some studies have shown that dermatoscopy
or ELM may make it easier to find melanomas early. It can
often reassure a patient that a lesion is benign (not cancerous)
and that there is no need for a biopsy.
Skin Biopsy
If the doctor thinks that an area of skin might be cancerous,
he or she will take a sample of skin from the suspicious
area to look at under a microscope. This is called a skin
biopsy. Different methods can be used for a skin biopsy.
The choice depends on the type of skin cancer, where it
is on the body, and the size of the affected area. For more
detailed information on biopsies, see our documents, “Melanoma
Skin Cancer” or “Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer.”
If a spot is found to be cancerous or precancerous, your
doctor will likely recommend further tests or treatment.
If the spot is small and localized, this may involve a more
extensive biopsy or some type of surgery. For cancers that
might be more extensive, imaging tests might be needed,
and treatment might involve methods such as chemotherapy
or radiation. Again, for more detailed information, see
our skin cancer documents.
Additional Resources
More Information From Your American Cancer Society
The following information may also be helpful to you. These
materials may be ordered through our toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345.
• Melanoma Skin Cancer (also available in Spanish)
• Non-melanoma Skin Cancer (also available in Spanish)
The American Cancer Society is happy to address any cancer-related
topic. If you have any more questions, please call us at
1-800 ACS 2345 at any time, 24 hours a day.
References
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006.
Atlanta, Ga: American Cancer Society; 2006.
Carucci JA, Rigel DS, Friedman RJ. Basal
Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Skin. In: Lenhard
RE Jr, Osteen RT, Gansler T, eds. Clinical Oncology. Atlanta,
Ga: American Cancer Society; 2000:563-576.
Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreens,
Tanning Products, and Sun Safety. 2003. Available at: www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/cos-220.html.
Accessed April 11, 2006.
Food and Drug Administration. Tanning
Accelerators. 2002. Available
at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-tan3.html. Accessed April
11, 2006.
Levy SB. Sunscreens and Photoprotection.
eMedicine. 2005. Available at: www.emedicine.com/derm/topic510.htm.
Accessed April 11, 2006.
Meadows M. Don't be in the dark about
tanning. FDA Consumer. 2003;37:16-17. Available at: www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2003/603_tan.html.
Accessed April 11, 2006.
Skin Cancer Foundation. SPF and UV Explained.
Available at
www.skincancer.org/prevention/spf.php. Accessed April 10,
2006.
Revised: 04/27/06
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED
/content/ped_7_1_Skin_Cancer_Detection_
What_You_Can_Do.asp
| 

High Grade Liquid Discount Brand Name Vitamins And Cancer Nutrition Packages!
ORDER NOW! LOWEST PRICES ONLINE ON ALL LIQUID SUPPLEMENTS GUARANTEED!Only at www.SharpWebLabs.com!
Put Some Nutrition In Your Life Today!
Guaranteed Satisfaction! Thousands Of Customers! Cancer And Nutrition Go Hand In Hand!
|