Daily HealthBeat Tip

Save your skin.

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I�m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Being out in the summer sun is fun. It�s where the beach is � or the pool, or a park to go for a walk. But be sun-smart, because the skin cancer danger from too much sun adds up. And the adding-up can start earlier than you might think. Eighty percent of lifetime sun exposure happens in childhood. U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona:

"Contrary to what many young people believe, skin cancer is not a disease that targets seniors. Skin cancer is increasingly striking younger people, especially those in their twenties and thirties." (10 seconds)

One blistering sunburn in childhood can double a child�s risk of getting skin cancer. But it�s also easy to avoid the risk while keeping the fun. For instance: Stay inside at midday when the rays are at their peak, wear a hat, and use sunscreen frequently. SPF 15 or higher works for adults, but kids need SPF 30 or higher.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I�m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August 8, 2005

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