Americans love the sun and spend a great deal of time outside—working, playing, exercising—often in clothing that exposes a lot of skin to the sun. Most people are now aware that too much sun has been linked to skin cancer. However, few know the degree of risk posed by overexposure, and fewer are aware that the risks go beyond skin cancer. Recent medical research has shown that overexposure to the sun’s UV radiation can contribute to serious health problems. Each year, for example, more than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and one person dies every hour from melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer. This section provides a quick overview of the major problems linked to excess UV exposure: skin cancer (i.e., melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma); other skin problems; cataracts and other eye damage; and immune system suppression. Understanding these risks and taking a few sensible precautions described in this booklet will help you to enjoy the sun while lowering your chances of sun-related health problems later in life.

A Word About Risk

Overexposure to UV radiation poses the risk of serious health effects for everyone, but not everyone is equally at risk. For example, you may be at greater risk of contracting skin cancer if your skin always burns, or burns easily, and if you have blond or red hair, or blue, green, or gray eyes. Other factors indicating an increased risk of skin cancer include: a history of blistering sunburns in early childhood, usually from acute sun overexposure; the presence of many moles; or a family history of skin cancer. Also, people who work or otherwise spend a large amount of time outdoors (i.e., chronic exposure to the sun) may be at higher risk of health effects. It’s a good idea to remember that anyone can contract skin cancer, and that all people, no matter what skin type, are equally at risk of eye damage.

Melanoma

Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, also is one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the United States. Many scientists believe there might be a link between childhood sunburns and malignant melanoma later in life. Melanoma cases in this country have more than doubled in the past 2 decades; according to the American Cancer Society, about 44,200 new cases of melanoma and 7,300 deaths are currently reported each year.

Cure Rate
Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body quickly, but when detected in its earliest stages it is almost always curable. If not caught early, melanoma is often fatal.

Warning Sign
Melanoma begins as an uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells in the skin. This growth leads to the formation of dark-pigmented malignant moles or tumors, called melanomas. Melanomas can appear suddenly without warning but also can develop from or near a mole. For this reason, it is important to know the location and appearance of moles on the body so any change will be noticed. Melanomas are found most frequently on the upper backs of men and women, and the legs of women, but can occur anywhere on the body. Be aware of any unusual skin condition, especially a change in the size or color of a mole or other darkly or irregularly pigmented growth or spot; scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule; spread of pigment from the border into surrounding skin; and change in sensation including itchiness, tenderness, or pain.

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
Unlike melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancers are rarely fatal. Nevertheless, they should not be taken lightly. Untreated, they can spread and cause more serious health problems. An estimated 1 million Americans will develop nonmelanoma skin cancers this year, while 1,900 will die from the disease.

There are two primary types of nonmelanoma skin cancers:

Basal Cell Carcinomas are tumors of the skin that usually appear as small, fleshy bumps or nodules on the head and neck but can occur on other skin areas as well. It is the most common skin cancer found among fair-skinned people. Basal cell carcinoma does not grow quickly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It can, however, penetrate below the skin to the bone and cause considerable local damage.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas are tumors that might appear as nodules or as red, scaly patches. The second most common skin cancer found in fair-skinned people, squamous cell carcinoma is rarely found in darker-skinned people. This cancer can develop into large masses, and unlike basal cell carcinoma, it can spread to other parts of the body.

Cure Rate
These two nonmelanoma skin cancers have cure rates as high as 95 percent if detected and treated early. The key is to watch for signs and to detect the cancer in its early stages.

Warning Sign
Basal cell carcinoma tumors usually appear as slowly growing, raised, translucent, pearly nodules that, if untreated, might crust, discharge pus, and sometimes bleed. Squamous cell carcinomas usually are raised, red or pink scaly nodules, or wart-like growths that form pus in the center. They typically develop on the edge of the ears, the face, lips, mouth, hands, and other exposed areas of the body.

Actinic Keratoses
These sun-induced skin growths occur on body areas exposed to the sun. The face, hands, forearms, and the “V” of the neck are especially susceptible to this type of blemish. They are premalignant, but if left untreated, actinic keratoses can become malignant. Look for raised, reddish, rough-textured growths. See a dermatologist promptly if you notice these growths.

Premature Aging of the Skin
Chronic exposure to the sun causes changes in the skin called actinic (or solar) degeneration. Over time, the skin becomes thick, wrinkled, and leathery. Since it occurs gradually, often manifesting itself many years after the majority of a person’s exposure to the sun, this condition is often regarded as unavoidable, a normal part of growing older. With proper protection from UV radiation, however, premature aging of the skin can be substantially avoided.

Cataracts and Other Eye Damage
Cataracts are a form of eye damage, a loss of transparency in the lens that clouds vision. Left untreated, cataracts can rob people of vision. Research has shown that UV radiation increases the likelihood of certain cataracts. Although curable with modern eye surgery, cataracts diminish the eyesight of millions of Americans and necessitate billions of dollars of eye surgery each year. Other kinds of eye damage include: pterygium (tissue growth on the white of the eye that can block vision), skin cancer around the eyes, and degeneration of the macula (the part of the retina near the center, where visual perception is most acute). All of these problems could be lessened with proper eye protection from UV radiation.

Immune Suppression
Scientists have found that sunburn can alter the distribution and function of diseasefighting white blood cells in humans for up to 24 hours after exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure to UV radiation might cause more long-lasting damage to the body’s immune system. Mild sunburns can suppress immune functions in people of all skin types.