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NEWS FROM
CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE
July 14, 2009
Cambridge Health Alliance Physician Offers Sun Safety Tips
Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Revere, Somerville,
MA...As the New England weather finally warms up, it is time
to think about sun safety as we spend more time out of doors, says
C. Douglas Taylor, MD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Cambridge
Health Alliance (CHA).
Unprotected sun exposure resulting in blistering sunburns in childhood
greatly heightens the chances of malignant melanoma in adulthood.
Melanoma is a potentially lethal form of skin cancer that has become
increasingly common in the United States. Sun exposure also causes
other forms of skin cancer as well as age spots and wrinkles, even
in dark-skinned individuals.
"Both children and adults need to practice sun safety,"
said Dr. Taylor. Reduced exposure to direct sunlight from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. is important, as is access to shade, particularly for
children. Ultraviolet-blocking sunglasses and protective clothing,
including wide-brimmed hats and visors and loose-fitting long-sleeved
shirts and pants, also help. "Don't use tanning beds or sunlamps.
The skin color of health is pale, not tan," he added.
Sunscreen is vital in reducing skin exposure, even on cloudy days,
and should be reapplied every two hours while swimming or exercising.
Dr. Taylor suggests a brand that has a sun-protection factor of
30 or more, and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. The best
include avobenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule. "Check the label
for protection against UVA1, UVA2, and UVB," he advised. "Also,
it's now possible to buy bulk sunscreen in larger pump bottles to
have at the pool or the playground."
Physical sunblocks like zinc oxide and titanium oxide are also
effective. While some of the new sunscreens now include them in
small particle sizes that do not show as a white paste, they may
not work as well as the heavier preparations.
Though much research supports the benefits of vitamin D, which
is generated by sunlight, there is no proof that sunblocks cause
low vitamin D. "In the Northeast, it's hard to get enough vitamin
D year-round from our low sun anyhow," explained Dr. Taylor.
"Ask your doctor about a vitamin D supplement."
Finally, Dr. Taylor recommends keeping an eye on your moles, namely
those that are lopsided with irregular edges and uneven color, especially
if they are growing, changing shape or color, or bleeding and causing
sores.
For more information about CHA's cancer care program, call 617-665-1552
(Cambridge Hospital campus) or 617-381-7115 (Whidden Hospital campus
in Everett), or visit www.challiance.org.
Cambridge Health Alliance is an innovative, award-winning
health system that provides high quality care in Cambridge, Somerville,
and Boston's metro-north communities. It includes three hospital
campuses, a network of primary care and specialty practices, the
Cambridge Public Health Dept., and the Network Health plan. CHA
is a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate and is also affiliated
with Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine,
and Tufts University School of Medicine.
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Media Contact
David Cecere
Media Relations Manager
Phone: 617-503-8428
Cell: 617-921-9613
Pager: 617-546-1879
dcecere@challiance.org
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