70 June 2015 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | wellbeing Public messages with regards to protecting oneself from the sun have been doing the rounds lately, and with good reason. We’ve heard of the horrors of too much sun exposure - wrinkles, freckles, sun spots and alarmingly, skin cancer. So we slather on the sunscreen, but then are we blocking out the life-essential Vitamin D? Stay out of the sun or get some sun; what’s the right thing to do? Experts say it’s a delicate balancing act between adequate protection from and prudent exposure to the sun. SKIN CANCER FACTS Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells, caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds. It is the most common form of cancer in the US and has increased incidence in Bahrain as well. There are different types of skin cancers; the deadliest one being melanoma. “Everyone should practice safety in the sun, but some of us who are fair-skinned and have light eyes and hair must be especially cautious,” says dermatologist Dr Bhartendu Mehta of the American Mission Hospital. Those with a family history of skin cancer or who spend long hours in the sun or who sunburn easily must be wary too. And don’t forget to shade your eyes. “Although the eyelid is designed to protect the eye, its skin is exceedingly thin and contains many fragile tissues that may be injured by UV light. Inside the eye, the lens and the cornea filter UV rays, but by doing so for many years, they may become damaged,” Dr Mehta says. So it makes sense to invest in a good pair of UV protective sunglasses for the outdoors. CATCH AND PREVENT Dr Anjali Palav, specialist dermatologist at the Bahrain Specialist Hospital, advocates examining your skin under bright light on a regular basis. Use a handheld mirror or ask a family member to help you in examination. Learn to spot the early warning signs; skin cancer can be cured if it's found and treated early. “Be especially suspicious of a new mole, any mole which is changing in size or shape or any red scaly spot,” she advises. For those who enjoy sporting a ‘healthy’ tan, listen up. Dr Anjali says: “The high-pressure sunlamps used in tanning salons emit doses of UVA and UVB as much as 12 times that of the sun. This exposure will damage the skin’s cellular DNA which leads to mutations and skin cancers.” The Sun: Severe or Saviour? With the nip in the air long gone, islanders are getting ready to brave the summer sun. Should beachcombers stroll the sands with carefree abandon or must we beware the effects of the scorch? Behnaz Sanjana finds out.
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