tt, Solel wt Too Much Sun Can Be No Fun Later in Life (NAPSA)—Bronzed skin? A healthy glow? You may think you lock good today, but underneath it’s not such a pretty picture. That’s because overexposure to he sun can lead to a serious form of skin cancer later in life. Growing up, Richard Ink spent much of his life outdoors—on the beach, working in the yard, fishing, and sun tanning. Little did h know that the sun’s rays have put his health at serious risk. Now he knows frst hand the dangers of he sun. “At first, I thought they were sun spots or age spots, but then they got bigger and didn’t go away,” says Richard, referring to the red, scaly patches he noticed on his arms a few years ago. To his surprise, Richard, now in his 70s, was diagnosed with the early signs of skin cancer called Actinic Skin spots or a blemish that changes in color or size should signal a visit to the dermatologist. “We are treating an increasing number of patients with AKs, and Keratoses, also known as AKs. unfortunately, most could be prevented with simple precautions,” says dermatologist Ronald Moy, condition that may progress to a serious type of skin cancer called of Dermatology at the University of California, Los Angeles. In order to prevent AKs and skin cancer, the Caused by long-term sun expesure, AKs are a very common skin. M.D., Associate Clinical Professor squamous cell carcinoma, the second leading cause of skin cancer deaths in the United States. In fact, at least 40 percent ofall squamous cell carcinomas begin as AKs. AKs appear as rough, red, sealy patches on the top layer of the skin, Measuring anywhere from American Academyof Dermatology ter. They are found primarily on areas of the body exposed to the “Als are treatable, and in most cases, curable, which is why one-quarter to one-inch in diame- sun, such as the face, ears, hack of the hands, forearms, and scalp. Because AKs take years to develop, they usually occur in older people, but can also be found on younger people mtheir 20s and 30s. Pair-skinned people wholive in sunny climates and those who have a history of chronic sun exposure are more likely to develop AKs. (AAD) recommends a comprehen- give sun protection programthat inchides: wearing protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, avoiding the sun between 16 a.m. and 4 p.m. when ultraviolet rays are strongest, and wearing sun- screen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. awareness and early detection are essential. A wide range of therapies are available to treat AKs such as surgery, freezing therapy, or patient-applied, prescription topical creams, among other options,” says Dr. Moy. For more information, contact the AAD atits toll-free number, 1- 888-462-DERM(3376), or through their Web site, www.aad.org.
