Too much sun more dangerous than ever

It is no secret that too much sunshine is never a good thing.

Sunburns, headaches and ensuing respiratory infections are just a few of the reminders that a day on the beach or out in the yard can sometimes come at a cost.

But with daily temperatures for the week nearing 100 degrees and sending residents scurrying to their swimming pools, it's easy to overlook some of the more dangerous risks associated with overexposure to the sun.

Such as skin cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It's increasing, too - by roughly 1 percent each year between 1995 and 2006.

Kinston dermatologist Dr. Dan Henshaw said a variety of factors could contribute to this increase, but no one is really sure what it is. Theories include climate changes, artificial tanning and an overall increase in the amount of time people spend outside.

"We're seeing some damages to the skin," Henshaw said. "Tanning beds contribute to that.  Studies are showing that they are not perfectly safe.

"We'll start to see the results in a few years from now and they may be disastrous. I am definitely afraid of tanning beds."

Skin cancer is directly correlated with the ultra violet radiation - cancer-causing radiation that comes from the sun.

The American Cancer Society says being in the direct sunlight for 30 minutes can create a "buildup of a lethal dose" of UVR for skin cells not protected by sunlight-deflecting sunscreen. The only other carcinogen that presents a risk nearly as high, it says, is heavy doses of cigarette smoke.

Tanning beds - especially newer models - present a greater risk of skin cancer because their UV rays are highly concentrated and designed to tan patrons quickly.

In an effort to help people safeguard themselves when outside, Chris Collins of the National Weather Service in Newport said his office indexes UV rays daily by assigning level numbers. The fewer the clouds in the sky, the greater the amount of UV radiation, he said.

"Overexposure to UV radiation is what causes sun burn, skin cancer, cateracts - that sort of thing," he said. "The UV index forecasts the expected risk of overexposure to the sun. The most dangerous can have an immediate impact."

Skin cancer often starts out with a brown spot - called melanomas - on the skin that looks similar to a mole. The CDC recommends people keep track of the moles they have on their bodies so they can spot potential cancer spots as soon as they develop.

Henshaw said early detection is critical.

"Most melanomas can be cured if we get them before it's too late," he said. "It's a frightening, frightening disease and we do lose some who get it."

Avoiding the sun altogether, though, is not healthy either, said Dr. David Priebe, a family practice physician in Jones County

"People do need a small amount of sunlight to stimulate vitamin D production to strengthen bones and help with immune system," Priebe said, "but you can't overdo it. Five or six sunburns double your risk of skin cancer."

Priebe said that while too much sun doesn't always lead to cancer, there are a host of other gloomy results.

Bright sunlight can cause migraine headaches and precancerous lesions in mucus membranes inside the mouth. Eye problems, including cataracts and cancer on the back of the eye in the retina are prevalent.

But that's not all.

"People who get a lot of sunburns can also impair their immune systems - the ability to fight off infections," Priebe said. "I see a lot of people who have just been to the beach and have developed an upper respiratory-  or sinus-infection or bronchitis."

Even if sunbathers don't see any immediate impact of UV rays, they can still feel repercussions down the road. Premature aging of the skin - more prominent in fair-skinned females due to their more frequent exposure to the sun than males - may occur.

"Just because you don't get a burn, you can still be damaged long-term," Henshaw said. "We've seen people whose skin looks like leather - they look old before their time. They've been sun worshippers, so to speak."

Henshaw and Priebe agreed that it is important to keep skin covered and to use sun screen on areas that aren't. The nose, ears and neck are all areas prone to sunburns that could lead to skin cancer.

Wide-brimmed hats can protect the ears and face better than baseball caps.

"All ... types of skin cancer are going to be a greater instance or likelihood in people with greater instances of too much sun," Henshaw said. "Always use sunscreen with a (sun protective factor) of 30 or greater."

Justin Schoenberger can be reached at (252) 559-1075 or jschoenberger@freedomenc.com.