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Boys & Sun Protection

Teenage boys are least likely to protect themselves from the sun’s damaging rays, which may be why middle-age and older men are at greater risk of developing skin cancer.

A new study by the American Academy of Dermatology says teenage boys are the worst violators when it comes to protecting themselves from sun exposure. Dr. Stephen Stone, professor of dermatology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, agrees that teenage boys are risk takers and are least likely to use sun protection. But, he says there wasn’t much emphasis put on using sunscreens twenty years ago when the men in the study were teenagers.

SOUND BITE: ". . . the fact that it's a higher incidence of men than women at that age, may reflect some occupational factors, how people dress when they went to the beach as well as using sun screens in those days. It’s going to be a bigger problem in the future and more noticeable as more girls tend to use sunscreen now than teenage boys of the same age."

Dr. Stone recommends all exposed skin be treated with sunscreen when going out-of-doors. People also can protect themselves from skin cancer by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt. He says going to a tanning salon is just as damaging as being in the sun.

SOUND BITE: ". . . the ultraviolet light you get in the tanning spa is just as bad as the ultraviolet light you’re getting from the natural sunlight. The artificial tanners, the spray on liquid tanners are very attractive now and are perfectly safe, but the ones that use ultra violet light is damaging your skin the same way that the sun does."

Anyone who has symptoms for skin cancer such as an irregular-shaped mole or sore should be checked by their primary care physician. They may be referred to a dermatologist for further evaluation and possible treatment.