Be Sun Smart All Year Round

(NAPSI)-Many people think that summer is the only time to take caution with the sun, but sun protection is important year-round. While skiing or visiting warmer climates in the winter, it is important to remember to protect yourself.

Surprising to many sun-loving Americans is that 40 percent of the more than 250,000 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) may be the result of ignoring a condition few people have ever heard of: actinic keratoses, or AKs. These are precancerous skin lesions that have the potential to progress to a more serious condition.

What Are AKs?

An AK is a small, crusty or scaly bump or horn that arises on or beneath the skin surface. The base may be light or dark, tan, pink, red or a combination of these, or the same color as the skin. The crust is horny, dry and rough. Occasionally, it itches or produces a pricking or tender sensation. It can also become inflamed and surrounded by redness. In rare instances, actinic keratoses can bleed.

Who Is At Risk?

• People 40 and over who have had chronic sun exposure; burn rather than tan in the sun; and spend large amounts of time in the sun without sunscreen are at higher risk for AKs. Doctors recommend a regular skin screening by a dermatologist. The good news is that AKs are treatable when identified-before they have the potential to progress to a more serious condition such as squamous cell carcinoma. One of the medications doctors use is Carac® (Fluorouracil Cream 0.5%), a topical cream that is safe and effective in the treatment of AKs. It is available by prescription and is the only topical with convenient "once daily dosing." Carac is indicated for the topical treatment of multiple actinic or solar keratoses of the face and anterior scalp.

Important Safety Information

Carac should not be used by women who are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or nursing. Carac should not be used by people with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency. The most common side effects are skin reactions including redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of upper layer of skin), swelling and eye irritation. For more information, visit www.carac.info.

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Sun Protection: What You Need To Know

(NAPSI)-Ask the experts which days it's most important to wear sun protection and the answer you will hear is: Every single day of the year.

Although it is critical to protect your skin while playing summer sports or when going to the beach, it's also crucial to wear sunscreen during the fall, winter and spring months to help protect against skin cancer.

Just because you don't feel the heat of the sun doesn't mean harmful rays are not doing damage. A daily moisturizing lotion that includes an adequate amount of sunscreen should be applied on cloudy days as well as sunny ones, especially when taking part in winter sports such as skiing, ice skating or mountaineering since snow reflects damaging UV light.

"Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, diagnosed in 1.4 million people annually of all races," says dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. "Skin cancer is also the most preventable and curable form of cancer if it is detected early."

That's why dermatologists say it's so important to protect your skin on a daily basis, regardless of your skin color, and to get a yearly skin check by a dermatologist to prevent skin cancer.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is among the fastest-growing cancers in the U.S. However, 40 percent of people admit that they never use sunscreen, and only 11 percent use an SPF of 15 or higher daily. For maximum protection, doctors now recommend products with SPF 30 or higher and one that offers broad-spectrum and photostable UV protection.

Traditional sunscreens break down once they are exposed to UV rays, but those with a photostabilizing technology don't break down as quickly.

Sunscreen lotions such as Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 55 with a photostabilizing technology can protect the skin from the sun's harmful rays throughout the seasons.

For more information, visit skincancer.org or aveeno.com.

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