July is not only the hottest month of the year in the United States, it's also UV Safety Month. This month is about helping adults and parents learn about the best ways to stay safe from harmful UV rays. What you might not know is that skin is an organ – and it's the largest one. Skin plays an important role in keeping bacteria out of the body, minimizing water loss and regulating body temperature.
When anyone – adults or children – spend too much time in the sun, the overexposure can cause serious damage to the skin, cause age spots, wrinkles and even increase the risk of skin cancer. One of the challenges of keeping your skin healthy is finding the right sunscreens to use. Your choices aren't only plentiful, they can also be confusing.
According to the Food and Drug Administration's 2015 regulations, sunscreens that pass the broad spectrum test will provide protection against both ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) and ultraviolet A radiation (UVA). Sunburn is primarily caused by UVB, although both UVB and UVA can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and premature skin aging. Under the new regulations, sunscreen products that protect against all types of sun-induced skin damage will be labeled "Broad Spectrum" and “SPF 15” (or higher) on the front.
However just because you're trying to protect children, doesn't mean you need to use a "children's" sunscreen. Consumer Reports says that the FDA doesn't make the distinction between kids' sunscreen and other types of sunscreens. It also doesn't hold kids' sunscreen to higher safety standard because it's for kids.
Know What You're Putting On
According to the Environmental Working Group, several popular chemicals used in many sunscreens can pose problems if inhaled or if it penetrates the skin to reach living tissue. Mineral-based sunscreens can offer protection with more less-harsh ingredients.
Other Great Reminders For Sun Safety
Who wants to bother with health reminders before spending a fun day at the beach in the middle of summer? Unfortunately, the reminders really are for your protection. During UV Safety Month, take a moment to learn more about the health risks of UV light, and about ways to protect your skin and eyes.
- Check the UV index in your area before going outside. This tool from the EPA can help you prepare better if you're spending a day in the sun.
- The sun is most intense from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It's best to avoid being in full sun for too long during these hours.
- Experts recommend wearing sun protection such as long sleeves, sunglasses and sunscreen, even when it's cloudy. UV light can still pass through clouds and haze.
- If you are outside on the water or near windows, you are at risk of getting sunburned: These surfaces can reflect more UV rays onto you.
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of between 30 and 50. Make sure you apply it 15 minutes before heading outside and reapply it every two hours, especially when swimming.
- You can still get sunburned in winter, especially when it's sunny and reflecting off the snow. If you are skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or just playing outside, take caution.
Protect Your Eyes, Too
Overexposure to UV light can also have negative effects on your eyes. UV light can increase your risk of eye conditions such as cataracts, growths and cancer in the eye. You also have to check your sunglasses carefully because all are not created equally. Make sure to only buy sunglasses labeled "UV400" or "100% UV protection." Darker lenses don't always mean better protection.
Donate A Vehicle To Help Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish chapters around the country are dedicated to help children with life-threating medical conditions. If you want to help their goal of granting wishes, please consider making a car donation to Wheels For Wishes, the car donation program benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer you a great tax deduction, free towing and an easy way to support an important cause. To donate your car, boat, RV, motorcycle or other vehicle, please call [chapter_phone] or fill out our online car donation form.
The American Cancer Society estimates more than 74,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with bladder cancer this year, with approximately 16,000 deaths. As one of the more common cancers in our country, a lot needs to be done to reduce its prevalence. Researchers are looking at new ways to find and treat bladder cancer, such as urine tests and, potentially, DNA tests. Research is also being done to see if certain foods, vitamins, supplements and drugs can prevent bladder cancer from returning in those who have already had it.
June 7 is National Cancer Survivors Day, a day to celebrate people whose lives have been affected by cancer. People who have beaten cancer, those who have been just diagnosed, and their families and communities can all feel hope and inspiration by celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD).
May is National Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection Month, the perfect time to learn more about sun safety. Approximately 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S., making it the most common type of cancer. There are several types of skin cancer, including Actinic Keratosis, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Dysplastic Nevi, Melanoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Learn more about these specific types of skin cancer here.
Wednesday, May 6 is National Nurses Day, which kicks off the weeklong celebration of nurses, National Nurses Week, from May 6-12. If your life has been touched by a nurse or you have a nurse in the family, you know just how important nurses are in our lives. You can thank a nurse who's made a difference for you any day, but May 6 is an extra special day to show your gratitude!
This April, take the opportunity to learn about four kinds of cancer and help spread awareness to your friends and family. April is dedicated to head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer and testicular cancer. While these cancers rarely affect children, it is possible. Cancer awareness months are a great time to learn more about the symptoms of cancer, but also the preventable risk factors. While many risk factors are unavoidable, tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for head, neck and esophageal cancer and it's never too early to teach your kids about avoiding tobacco.
Make-A-Wish works to grant the wishes of children between the age of 2 ½ and 18 who are battling a critical illness, or who are suffering from a progressive, degenerative, or malignant condition that places the child’s life in jeopardy. Last year alone, more than 14,000 wishes were granted across the country! Make-A-Wish helps to bring hope, strength, and joy back into the lives of children, and this year during the 10th Annual World Down Syndrome Day, you may choose to play a part in helping to grant a wish for a local child through a car donation to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish.
March is not only Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, but also Kidney Cancer Awareness Month and Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month. Learn more about these diseases, what the signs and symptoms might be, and how you can help to spread awareness during the month of March. Awareness can help to save lives! You may even wish to donate a car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish, to grant the wishes of children who may be battling these diseases.
Gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer are rare, which is why it's so important to learn about the signs and symptoms and help spread awareness. Here at Wheels For Wishes, we are helping Make-A-Wish with our car donation program, but we also love to help spread awareness about different types of medical conditions. If you don't know much about gallbladder or bile duct cancer, February is a great time to learn more and share the knowledge so that more cases can be found and prevented.
During Cancer Prevention Month, World Cancer Day is a day for raising worldwide awareness about preventing, detecting, and providing treatment for cancer. Many people around the world do not have access to information about cancer prevention or access to resources to prevent or treat cancer. That's why the Union for International Cancer Control established World Cancer Day to help spread awareness.
Although stomach cancer rates are decreasing in the United States, it is still important to help raise awareness about this form of cancer. November is National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month and there are many ways that you can help spread information about stomach cancer.
The month of November may be a time to start your holiday shopping and decide which gifts to buy for your loved ones. However, you might be more interested in giving the gift of life this holiday season. If you are in good health, you can give the gift of life by volunteering to be placed in a Registry coordinated by The National Marrow Donor Program. Patients can only be helped if there are donors available to help them, and the more donors, the better. Donors offer patients the gift of a longer and healthier life, and it’s something you will feel great about for many years to come.
The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be 46,420 new cases of pancreatic cancer in 2014 in the United States. And while this disease rarely affects children, it is possible. Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to learn more about this serious form of cancer and raise awareness. While many of its risk factors are unavoidable, some are, and November is a good time to learn about them and help yourself and your children avoid these risk factors.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it is in an advanced stage. And even when diagnosed early, pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis. That’s why it’s important to learn about the risk factors, symptoms, screening tools and prevention options so that more cases can be prevented or caught earlier.
In 2013, there were an estimated 842 million hungry people on the planet, according to worldfooddayusa.org. The number of people in the world suffering from chronic hunger is roughly one in eight. Hunger has been a world-wide problem for decades, and it still continues, but organizations like the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations hope to eradicate the problem. One such effort was the establishment of World Food Day in 1981. World Food Day, observed on Oct. 16, is an effort to bring individuals, community groups and leaders together in educating others and working on ways to end hunger. Even if you’re not part of a community group that will be doing something special on World Food Day, there are many things you can do on your own or with your family to help strengthen your community and bring more awareness to world hunger.
Whether it’s you, a friend, family member, or stranger, someone is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. While it can be difficult to help the people you care about during this difficult time, it is important to spread awareness about metastatic breast cancer and know the facts. Sometimes, we are uninformed when we hear the word “metastasized” and we don’t know how to react. We are here to help so you can be there for people in your life who may be living with metastatic breast cancer.
While breast cancer is not very common in children or adolescents, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in young adults. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, we will help to provide you with certain precautions you can take in your younger years to decrease your breast cancer risk as an adult.
The month of September is known as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Some common types of childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and blood cancer, but these cancers can also occur in adults. This September, help to spread awareness about childhood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and blood cancer. If you would like to donate a car to a help grant a wish for a child with a critical illness, contact Wheels For Wishes today.
In the United States, almost 13,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year. Because of this large number, it is important that we celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month every September to help bring awareness to childhood cancer and to help to raise funds for cancer research. You can help to make a difference this month with a car donation to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish.
It’s that time of the year when sun protection is crucial, and frequent reminders must be made to cover up the skin, wear sunscreen, and get screened when any suspicious mark or mole appears somewhere new. Since skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, it is important to remember that May is National Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The best way to spread the word is by keeping yourself safe and setting a good example! Whether you live in San Francisco, Honolulu, Anchorage, or Syracuse, practicing safe sun is a must.
Look back on your life and remember the days of being a child and a teenager. Now put yourself in the shoes of a child battling a critical illness, such as neurofibromatosis or a brain tumor. Brain tumors are most common in children under the age of 20, males up to the age of 39, and females under the age of 20. Neurofibromatosis is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. This puts many children and young adults at risk. This is why it is so important to spread awareness during the month of May during National Brain Tumor and Neurofibromatosis Month. Start by remembering to wear a gray ribbon, which signifies brain tumors.
