This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Graciela De Jesus about reducing risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Dr. De Jesus is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and a dermatologist at the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Each year, more new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. than new cases of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer combined. And unprotected exposure to UV radiation is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Doctor Graciela De Jesus is here to talk about what we can do to greatly reduce the risk of skin cancer. Doctor De Jesus is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology, and she's a dermatologist at the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Doctor De Jesus, how impactful are the sun safety measures that we can take as individuals to reduce the risk of skin cancer?
Dr. De Jesus: Well, I would say very impactful. In fact, there have been randomized controlled clinical trials that have shown that regular sunscreen use can result in 50% reduction in melanoma risk. Another study coming from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, found that more than 80% of cases of cutaneous melanoma worldwide in 2022 were attributable to UV radiation exposure.
Conner: Being outdoors is a joyful part of life for kids and adults. So, what's a good plan for preventing skin cancer and also enjoying the great outdoors?
Dr. De Jesus: Well, rather than complete sun avoidance, which of course would be unhealthy, dermatologists recommend following good sun safety practices while outside. And some of those sun safety tips are, seeking the shade, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest. You should wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts, pants, and wide brimmed hats. UV protective clothes adds an additional layer of protection. Sunglasses are recommended, specifically those that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes and the skin surrounding the eyes. We recommend complete avoidance of tanning beds, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature aging. And of course, using sunscreen.
Conner: And give us the details about the best practices for using sunscreen for kids and adults.
Dr. De Jesus: The general recommendation is to use broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on all sun exposed skin. Broad spectrum means a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays. It should be applied at least 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
Conner: Tell us about the recent FDA approval for a new sunscreen ingredient to be allowed in the US, and what the advantages might be to individuals using this new sunscreen formula.
Dr. De Jesus: Bemotrizinol is the first new sunscreen ingredient approved in more than 25 years in the United States. It is very, very promising because it is broad spectrum sunscreen. It is more stable over time than the typical sunscreen ingredients, which means that it maintains its strength over longer periods of time, and that would improve the performance and the protection against skin cancer. It has very low systemic absorption, and it is rarely irritating or allergenic, even for sensitive skin. Because it is oil soluble, it results in a cosmetically pleasing product, which we hope will result in improved compliance.
Conner: Doctor De Jesus, thanks for talking with us about reducing risk of skin cancer.
Dr. De Jesus: Thank you for having me.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
