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Protect the skin you are in!
Submitted by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue

When you think of sun and the potential for skin cancer, you may think of places like Florida or California. But did you know that Oregon has higher rates of skin cancer than both of these states? It’s true. Oregon has the fourth highest death rate for melanoma in the nation, higher than both California and Florida. For women, there’s even more cause for concern. Women in Oregon have the highest risk of developing or dying from melanoma in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“It’s easy for Oregonians to put ultraviolet (UV) radiation out of their minds on cloudy days, or to overdo sun exposure when they finally see the sun since our season is short,” says Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Emergency Medical Services Chief Mark Charleston. “The truth of the matter is that UV rays can penetrate through clouds and hazy skies and reflect off the ground, sand, concrete, snow, and water.”

With summer vacations in full swing and people soaking up Oregon’s coveted summer sun, consider the American Cancer Society’s awareness message for skin cancer prevention, which promotes the phrase “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap”. These four words remind us of key ways to protect skin from UV exposure – important steps that could save your life.

Slip on a shirt: Cover up as much skin as possible when you’re out in the sun.

Slop on sunscreen: Use sunscreen and lip balm with broad spectrum protection and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, toweling dry, or sweating.

Slap on a hat: Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck.

Wrap on sunglasses: Wear sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB absorption to protect your eyes and the surrounding skin.

Your skin is your largest organ, protecting the network of muscles, nerves, bones, blood vessels, and everything else inside your body. Take precautions when exposing this vital organ to both natural and artificial sunlight so your skin can keep doing its part to keep your body healthy.

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