As the season of sun and fun draws near, the Psychology Association of Bloomsburg University is sponsoring a program on sun safety that will be held on Tuesday, April 27 in the Kehr Union Multipurpose Room A & B from 7 p.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m.
ACTION Health, a collaborative partnership in the Susquehanna River Valley that provides community health outreach and education, conduct the presentation. The program, titled "Sun Safety: Myths, Risks and Prevention," will inform students about the dangers of the sun and how to protect themselves when they head outdoors, a highly important issue when it comes to the summer months.
According to Cindy Rupp, guest speaker from Columbia Montour Family Health Center, 2,431 cases of melanoma were reported in Pennsylvania in 2007 and 31 of those cases led to death.
"There has been a significant rise in the cases of melanoma—the disfiguring and potentially fatal skin cancer—among people in their 20s. A lot of those cases could have been prevented," said Rupp.
By using games, interactive activities and even prizes, Rupp and the speakers of ACTION Health will give an accurate representation of how the sun can potentially damage one's skin—or even one's life.
Like most medical conditions, there are certain risk factors that put individuals at a higher risk for cancer. According to Rupp, there are six different skin types and each has their own effect. The lighter the skin, hair and eyes, the greater risk there is to be affected by the sun. Of course, other factors such as the amount of sun exposure, age and family history come into play as well. Rupp will discuss all of these risk factors during the presentation.
"Motivation to protect your skin is hard to maintain in a culture that worships deep tanning," said Rupp, "but we're going to try to motivate through awareness and information."
Prevention is simple, but it is often overlooked. In an attempt to catch a good tan, many individuals forget to protect their skin. However, Rupp says the body can still tan when sunscreen is applied, though it may occur slower.
"Tanning really isn't healthy," said Rupp. "Tanned skin is damaged skin. It's the body's attempt to protect what's underneath from the sun's harmful rays. Your skin produces excess melanin (pigment) cells. Any time cells replicate rapidly, there's a chance one or more will ‘go rogue' and become potentially cancerous."
Prevention is the best way to avoid harmful effects of the sun. Here are some simple rules to stay sun-safe. 1. Limit exposure to the sun during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 2. When you are in the sun, use sunscreen—SPF 15 or higher—and reapply every few hours (or get your honey to apply it for you!) 3. Cover up! (You didn't spent money on those new aviators for nothing!)
So as you prepare for summer and get ready to grab that Frisbee and head to the beach, don't forget to grab the sunscreen too!
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment
You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now