Cancer : Skin Cancer
Are you ready to have that back-from-the beach tan again? Before you hit the tanning beds, here’s some information you should consider. More than one million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, making it the most common type of cancer in the US. And the leading cause is overexposure to ultra-violet rays. There are two different types of ultraviolet rays: UVB, which penetrates the top layer of skin, and UVA, which penetrates the inner layer of skin. Although UVA will not cause your skin to burn, overexposure effects can include eye damage, premature aging and skin cancer. If your reason for tanning is to get the vitamin D benefits from the rays, remember that according to the FDA, you only need 5 to 15 minutes of ultra-violet exposure twice per week. For more information or to find a physician, call St. John’s Referral One at 625.2000 or visit stj.com.
When it matters most, think St. John’s.
