Newswise — College athletes who participate in outdoor sports spend a significant amount of time practicing and competing in direct sun, often during peak hours. Because they are spending so much time in the sun, they have a high risk for developing skin cancer, yet few of them regularly use any form of sunscreen, according to a recent study. "Studies have linked a person's sun exposure during childhood and adolescence to the development of skin cancer later in life," said dermatologist Brian B. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., co-author of a recent study published in the August 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. "College athletes receive a high degree of sun exposure which further increases their risk."
The study looked at the sunscreen use of female and male athletes on soccer and cross country teams from four Cincinnati area colleges. Anonymous surveys were distributed during sunny weeks in the months of August and September. The athletes practiced from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during August and had practices and competitions scheduled between the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during September.
One hundred eighty six athletes completed the survey, 89 women and 97 men. A majority, 85 percent, reported that they did not use sunscreen in the past seven days, and 94 percent had not used any sunscreen in the previous three days. There were not any significant differences in sunscreen use between gender and sport, or among ages, school years or schools. Athletes who reported that they were fair skinned did use sunscreen more than athletes who reported that they had darker skin. None of the athletes reported that they reapplied sunscreen during practice.
When asked why they didn't use sunscreen, many athletes responded that they thought they did not need sunscreen because they had dark skin. Another reason they cited for not using sunscreen was that there was none available.
"It is clear that athletes need education about skin cancer prevention," Dr. Adams said. "Colleges should be required to educate their athletes about how to protect themselves from the sun and to provide them with sunscreen, just as they supply uniforms, water bottles and other necessary equipment."
The study's authors advocate for the development of coordinated skin cancer prevention programs that specifically target college athletes. Such programs could reach more than 250,000 athletes each year and could have a major impact on reducing the number of skin cancers that these athletes are at risk for developing.
To lower their risk of developing skin cancer, college athletes should be sun smart when they practice and play. Here's how to do it:
"¢ Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
"¢ Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
"¢ Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
"¢ Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
"¢ Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don't seek the sun.
"¢ Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
"¢ Check your birthday suit on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.
For more information about skin cancer, visit the Academy's patient education Web site at http://www.skincarephysicians.com and select "SkinCancerNet."
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 14,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or www.aad.org.
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