Summer is here and in full bloom!

Kids are out of school, only thing on TV are re-runs, SnowBirds have left to go up North, times are good.

What will you be doing this summer? If you are in my neck of the woods, you will probably have lots of activities outside, right? Hit the beach, go to the park, go to the theme parks, bike riding, canoeing and more.

With that said, here is my PSA for the week. Sun protection is key! Please do yourself and your family a favor and remember to throw on sunscreen and sunblock.

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States? One in five Americans will develop skin cancer. It is no laughing matter and it isn’t being taken serious.

Look at Ron and I. He was diagnosed wth Squamous Cell Carcinoma (the second most common) and I was diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma (the most common). Basal cell is rarely fatal, but can be disfiguring, but Squamous cell can be fatal.

They say that about 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV rays from the sun.

This is why I am urging everyone to cover up and use sun protection. You can be beautiful without the deep dark tahitian tan. Plus with all the new sprays and lotions, they are easier to apply and not such a hassle, especially with kids.

Here is a quick Q&A guide to tell you what SPF to use and how often you shoud re-apply.

Q: What is the minimum SPF recommended for kids? For adults?
A: For children 6 months of age and older, we recommend sunscreens with an SPF 30 or higher.
Babies under 6 months should be kept out of the sun.
Adults of all skin types should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

Q: What is the difference between UVA rays and UVB rays?
A: UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and contribute to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Our exposure to UVA is more constant than to UVB — we encounter UVA rays no matter what the season or time of day.

UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn, but they also contribute significantly to premature skin aging and skin cancer.

High SPF sunscreen products (those with an SPF higher than 30) are designed primarily to absorb UVB plus the shorter UVA rays.

Q: How much should I use and how often should I re-apply?
A: Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.

Long story short, go out, enjoy the sun. Get your vitamin D. Just be safe when you do. You’ll find me at the beach as much as possible this summer, but you’ll find me under a nice umbrella (that also has SPF protection) or out enjoying the waves with my SPF 45+ on. I won’t let cancer get the best of me!

For more helpful information, here are some great sites.

http://www.skincancer.org/
http://www.cancer.org