AAD Survey: Too Few Folks Use Sun Protection During Outdoor Activities

Forty percent of adults do not plan for sun protection when going to BBQs or picnics, and 31% do not protect themselves when going for walks or hiking in warm weather.

Although 90% of Americans report protecting themselves from the sun when going to beaches or pools, far fewer plan for it before other outdoor activities, according to a recent American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults.

"The head, neck, arms, and lower legs are areas of the body that get a lot of day-to-day exposure to the sun," says dermatologist Anisha Patel, MD, FAAD, associate professor at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, in a news release. "That continued exposure, even without an apparent sunburn, can lead to skin cancer if people do not properly protect themselves."

The AAD survey showed that 40% of adults do not plan for sun protection when going to BBQs or picnics, and 31% do not protect themselves when going for walks or hiking in warm weather.

"I tell my patients that they should think about sun exposure from the moment that they leave their homes, and that they're even getting exposure while they're driving," says Dr. Patel. "I recommend that they keep a few basic items that they know they'll use – like sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt – in their car, purse, or backpack. Those few key items can make a huge difference."

To protect yourself from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer, the AAD and Dr. Patel recommend that people:

• Seek shade. Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also look at your shadow. Any time your shadow appears shorter than you, seek shade.
• Wear sun-protective clothing. Wear a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.
• Apply sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. Remember to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.