WORCESTER, Mass. – August is considered Sun Safety Month and Saint Vincent Hospital encourages community members to take a few simple steps during this time to protect their skin and eye health while enjoying the outdoors. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can increase the risk of developing skin cancer, so it is important to be aware of the strength of the sun’s UV rays and take simple steps to protect your skin and eyes while outdoors.

“Remember to protect your skin and eyes from UV rays before you go outdoors, especially when you are participating in outdoor activities such as watersports and sunbathing,” says Kala Seetharaman, MD, division director of hematology and oncology with Saint Vincent Hospital. “The sun is strong and many people are spending more time in the rays, which can cause skin cancer and other health problems such as sunburn, skin damage, eye damage and a weakened immune system.”

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Since many skin cancer cases are caused by overexposure to UV radiation, protecting your skin outdoors is an important step to reducing your skin cancer risk. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2024, more than 100,600 new cases of invasive melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, will be diagnosed in the United States. This is approximately 3,000 more cases than were estimated in 2023.

“All people are equally at risk of eye damage and developing cataracts, but some people may be at greater risk of contracting skin cancer depending on the color of their skin, a history of blistering sunburns in early childhood, the presence of many moles, or a family history of skin cancer,” Dr. Seetharaman explains. “Also, although sun safety is especially important in summer when we spend more time outdoors, UV can be high throughout the year depending on factors such as location, elevation, and reflective surfaces like sand and snow.”

To reduce your risk of skin cancer and eye damage, Dr. Seetharaman recommends to:

• Wear on a long-sleeved shirt or other clothing that covers your skin.
• Apply a handful of sunscreen with sun protection factor 30 or higher, and re-apply every two hours, or sooner if in the water.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat to cover the back of your neck and the tips of your ears.
• Sport a pair of sunglasses, the kind that wrap around the sides of your face provide more sun protection.
• Try to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when rays are strongest.
• Avoid tanning beds and minimize sunbathing.
• Check the UV Index before spending time outdoors and dress appropriately.

To learn more about how to prevent skin cancer, please visit here.