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Show Too Much Sun Can Cause Trouble VJith Skin Cancer With long, lazy summer days, thousands of Utahns are heading to recreation spots and backyards to toast their bodies to a fashionable golden brown. Whether they swim, play tennis, boat, ski, golf, garden, bike, fish or just stretch out in the warm rays, many sun worshipers don't know they're also running a risk of skin cancer. Almost all of the 300,000 cases of this disease developed annually by Americans are considered to be sun-related, warns the American Cancer Society. Except for sometimes helping help-ing to relieve such conditions as asthma, aching joints, acne and psoraisis, any health benefits from the sun are mainly psychological. The bedrock truth is, too much sun is harmful. The immediate result of over-exposure to the sun's rays is sunburn, with its painful blisters, fever and other discomforts. Prematurely Prematur-ely aged skin also awaits those who may sun unconcernedly in their youth. But the worst result of constant over-exposure is skin cancer. Fortunately, common skin cancers are very curable. Fortunately, too, they have visible, early warnings: a sore that does not heal, change in size or color of a wart or mole, or development of any unusual pigmented area. If found early enough, skin cancer can usualy be removed with little trouble. But if left untreated, worse problems and even death can result. One serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, which strikes about 9,000 people a year, accounts for most skin cancer deaths. And, notes the American Cancer Society's Utah Division, melanoma, in contrast to most cancers which are less common in Utah than in other states, actually has a higher incidence in Utah. Statistics show a rate of 5.6 cases per 100,000 in Utah males, compared to a national average of 4.6, and 5.4 in females compared to a national nation-al 4.4. Melanoma is not considered primarily sun related. But its warning signals are exactly the same as sun-r lated skin cancers, so it is especially important to see a doctor early, the Cancer Society 1 warns. l There are also some sun-1 sun-1 facts and precautions: ; -Fairskinned persons and t those whose jobs demand long 1 sun exposure are most suscep-: suscep-: tible to damage. They should take special care, i --Certain drugs, such as i some antibiotics, antibacterial : soap or skin creams, barbitu-I barbitu-I ates. and birth control pills, i and some perfumes, can increase sun sensitivity. -The best cover-up is any one of the popular brand name sunscreens that contain PABA (para-amino-benzoic acid). These absorb ultraviolet rays and allow gradual tanning. Sun blocks, like zinc oxide ointment, and clothing like 1 long sleeved shirts and wide t hats are also effective. -You are not fully protected 1000000000000000000009 in the shade of a beach umbrella. Ultraviolet rays are bouncing toward you from all directions. -You're not safe on a cloudy day, or even underwater. Clouds let through 70 to 80 percent of the ultraviolet rays, and they can seek you out even three feet below the water. And a wet T-shirt lets through at least half the ultraviolet. -Altitude plays a role, because there is less atmosphere atmos-phere to filter out the ultraviolet rays. Backpackers . and skiers should know this, and also know that snow can reflect up to 85 percent of the sun. -You're better off bicycling or playing golf than lying motionless. A moving target is harder for rays to find. -Avoid sun reflectors. They expose the most delicate facial areas, under the chin, eyelids, earlobes. -True, sunshine is a source of vitamin D, but so is a well-balanced diet. Additional information is available in a new booklet being distributed by the American Cancer Society entitled en-titled "Sense in the Sun." Copies may be obtained from the Utah Division offices, 610 E. South Temple, Salt Lake |