SunAWARE

When you allow yourself to have no sun protection and are exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), whether from the sun or tanning beds, you invite skin damage, skin cancer, immune suppression, and cataracts. The increase in the number of diagnosed cases of these problems is primarily related to our lifestyle choices as well as environmental carelessness, such as ozone depletion. Given this knowledge, which is backed by decades of scientific studies, you can and should take measures to protect yourself by following these steps:

A - Avoid unprotected UVR exposure at any time but especially during the hours of peak ultraviolet radiation (between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM).

W - Wear sun protective clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, a hat with a three-inch brim, and sunglasses, and seek shade.

A - Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to all unprotected skin twenty minutes before exposure and reapply every two hours while exposed.

R - Routinely check your whole body for changes in your skin and report suspicious changes to a physician.

E - Express the need for sun protection to your family and community.

The SunAWARE acronym is based on the advice given by countless organizations, including the Skin Cancer Foundation, the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Dermatology, the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Cancer Society. We believe it is the most up-to-date advice about sun protection. Be SunAWARE and know that exposure to UVR can cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancers, including melanoma.