Perry County Memorial Hospital urges summer UV protection, skin cancer checks

Perry County Memorial Hospital used its July 7 health column to warn that ordinary summer days in Perry County can still bring enough ultraviolet exposure to damage skin, whether people are at a ball game, on a farm, at a construction site or along the river.

The hospital tied its advice to UV Safety Awareness Month and to a fact: skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and most cases are caused by too much exposure to UV rays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says unprotected skin can be damaged in as little as 15 minutes, and that UV rays still reach people on cloudy and cool days.

It urged daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applied before going outside and reapplied regularly, especially after swimming or sweating. It also recommended long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses, plus shade when possible. The CDC says the UV Index can help gauge risk each day, and that when the index is 3 or higher, people should protect their skin. UV rays are strongest in the continental United States from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight saving time.

UV rays can reflect off water, cement, sand and snow, which raises exposure for people fishing, boating or working near bright surfaces as well as anyone spending long hours outdoors. The hospital also warned against tanning beds and urged residents to learn their own skin patterns so they can spot changes early.

The warning signs it highlighted were specific: new moles, moles that change shape or color, and sores that do not heal. Perry County Memorial Hospital Main Street Clinic in Tell City offers dermatology services, including skin cancer evaluations and mole and lesion checks, along with treatment for rashes, eczema, psoriasis, acne and warts. Andrea Polk, FNP, is listed as the clinic’s dermatology provider.