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UV Safety Month: What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer Risk

UV Safety Month: What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer Risk

by | Jul 30, 2025 | Awareness Month, Skin Cancer

The sun is a powerful source of energy, but without protection, its ultraviolet (UV) rays, along with those from artificial sources like tanning beds, can cause lasting skin damage and significantly raise your risk of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States. July is recognized as UV Safety Month, a national observance that raises awareness about the dangers of UV exposure without protection and encourages habits to protect your skin every day.  

While spending time outdoors has many benefits, being sun smart is essential to lifelong skin health. Understanding your risk and taking simple, consistent steps to protect your skin can make all the difference.  

What Are UV Rays, Why Do They Matter, and What’s Link Between UV Exposure and Skin Cancer? 

UV rays are a form of invisible radiation from the sun and from artificial sources like tanning beds that can damage your skin and eyes. There are two main types of UV rays that affect your body: 

  • UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and contribute to premature aging, long-term skin damage, and sunburn. They’re present year-round, even on cloudy days, and can pass through windows.  
  • UVB rays are more intense and primarily responsible for sunburn. They directly damage skin cells and play a significant role in the development of skin cancer.  
  • In addition to harming your skin, UV rays can also damage your eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and even cancers of the eyelids. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses is just as important as protecting your skin.  

The Link Between UV Exposure and Skin Cancer

Skin cancer affects 1 in 5 Americans by the age of 70, and UV radiation is the leading environmental cause. Here’s how it connects to the three main types:   

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): the most common and slowest-growing form of skin cancer. It’s typically found on areas that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, and back.  
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): often linked to chronic UV exposure over time. It can spread if left untreated and is most commonly found on the ears, scalp, neck, and hands—areas regularly exposed to sunlight.  
  • Melanoma: less common, but far more dangerous. Melanoma can spread quickly and become life-threatening if not caught early. It can appear on any part of the body, including areas not typically exposed to the sun, such as the soles of the feet or under nails. While UV exposure and sunburns increase risk, genetics and intermittent intense exposure also play a role. That’s why checking your entire body, not just sun-exposed areas, is crucial during a skin self-exam. 

Who is Most at Risk? 

While anyone can develop skin cancer, some factors increase your risk, including: 

  • Fair skin, light hair, or light eyes 
  • A history of frequent sunburns 
  • Use of tanning beds 
  • Family history of skin cancer 
  • A weakened immune system 
  • Spending a lot of time outdoors without sun protection 

How to Protect Yourself 

Practicing sun safety every day, especially in the summer, can significantly reduce your risk. Here’s how: 

  • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day, even on cloudy days 
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating 
  • Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and UV blocking sunglasses 
  • Seek shade when the sun is strongest (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) 
  • Avoid tanning beds completely, they emit harmful UV rays 

Protecting your skin doesn’t mean avoiding the sun altogether; it means being smart about your exposure. Incorporating habits into your routine like keeping sunscreen in your bag/car, setting reminders to reapply during long days outdoors, and encouraging loved ones to protect their skin, too can make a big difference right away.  

When to See a Doctor 

Early detection is key to successful skin cancer treatment. Perform regular skin self-checks and look for: 

  • New or changing moles or spots 
  • Asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors, or a diameter larger than a pencil eraser 
  • Spots that itch, bleed, or won’t heal  

Use the ABCDE rule (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving) to assess anything that looks suspicious. If you notice any changes, talk to your doctor.  

This UV Safety Month, we encourage you to check in on your sun protection habits. Whether you are headed to the beach or running errands, daily precautions go a long way toward reducing your risk of skin cancer. 

Sarcoma & Bone Cancer Awareness Month: Shining a Light on Rare Cancers

Sarcoma & Bone Cancer Awareness Month: Shining a Light on Rare Cancers

by | Jul 21, 2025 | Awareness Month, Bone Cancer

Every July, we recognize Sarcoma & Bone Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding, support those affected, and elevate research for these rare and often overlooked cancers.

What is Sarcoma?

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancerous tumor that begins in the body’s connective tissues (bones, muscles, fat, cartilage, nerves, tendons, and blood vessels). It can occur anywhere in the body and affects both children and adults but is most often formed in the legs, chest/abdomen, arms, or head and neck.

Sarcomas are divided into two main categories:

  • Soft Tissue Sarcomas: begin in muscles, fats, nerves, or tendons (angiosarcoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumors, etc.)
  • Bone Sarcomas: begin in the bone itself (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcomas, etc.)

Together, these cancers make up less than 1% of all adult cancers but are more common in children and young adults.

How Sarcoma Differs from Other Cancers

Most cancers are classified as carcinomas, which typically begin in major organs like the lungs, breast, or colon. These cancers often spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to other parts of the body.

Sarcomas, however, behave differently. They usually begin in connective tissues, like bones, muscles, or fat, and rarely originate in the organs. Instead of spreading through lymph nodes, sarcomas are more likely to travel through the bloodstream, often reaching the lungs, live, or in rare cases, the brain. This distinction is important in understanding how sarcoma progresses and how it’s treated.

Common Signs and Symptoms

While symptoms vary based on type and location, here are a few to be aware of:

  • A lump or swelling (often painless at first)
  • Pain in a bone or soft tissue that doesn’t go away
  • Limited range of motion or joint function
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Unexplained fractures/pathological fractures

If any of these symptoms persist for you or a loved one, especially in combination, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider.

Why Awareness Matters

Because sarcomas are rare and often present with vague symptoms like swelling or pain, they can be misdiagnosed or overlooked. Early detection is critical, yet many patients face delays in diagnosis. Increased awareness can lead to earlier detection, better outcomes, and more attention to research funding.

Support for Patients and Families

A sarcoma diagnosis can feel isolating, but you are not alone. Throughout Sarcoma & Bone Cancer Awareness Month, we honor those impacted and provide resources to help:

Sarcoma and bone cancers may be rare, but the strength of the community is powerful. This month, and every month, we support patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates to raise awareness and push for progress.