cancers by eight percent and can reduce their risk of all cancer by four percent compared to those who sustain or increase their consumption of alcohol (200, 201). Public messaging campaigns (such as cancer-specific warning labels displayed on alcoholic beverages) must be considered along with effective clinical strategies to reduce the burden of alcohol-related cancers. Future efforts focused on evidence-based policy interventions, such as regulating the number of alcohol stores in a given area, and increased taxes and prices need to be implemented to curb the consumption of alcohol. Protect Skin from UV Exposure Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of light emitted primarily from the sun but also from artificial sources, such as tanning beds. Exposure to UV radiation can lead to the development of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. In fact, UV radiation accounts for 95 percent of skin melanomas and six percent of all cancers (147). This is because UV radiation can damage cellular DNA with continued exposure leading to cancer. Anyone can develop skin cancer, but some people are at a higher risk, especially those who are light skinned and get easily sunburned. It has been reported that there is a lack of understanding in the U.S. population regarding how skin cancer develops and when to use sun protection (203). According to data from the CDC, 29 percent of U.S. adults and 64 percent of adolescents experienced sunburn at least once in the past year in 2021 (204,205). This is concerning, as severe sunburns increase the risk of developing all three types of skin cancer (up to two and a half times for melanoma), compared to no history of severe sunburn (206). One study reported that women who experienced at least five episodes of severe sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 years were 80 percent more likely to develop melanoma later in life, compared to those who did not experience sunburns (207). One common misconception is that people cannot get sunburned on cloudy days. However, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate clouds. It is recommended that individuals practice sun-safe habits anytime they are outside to limit exposure to harmful UV radiation (see Sidebar 14, p. 47). It is encouraging that the use of tanning beds, particularly among U.S. youth, has dramatically decreased in the past decade. 93 percent of Americans recognize tobacco as a risk factor for cancer, while only 39 percent of Americans associate alcohol with cancer risk (202). Ways to Protect Your Skin To reduce the risk of three main types of skin cancer— basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma—the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following measures: Seek shade and limit time in the sun, especially during peak sun hours (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Wear clothing that covers arms and legs; some clothing is designed to provide protection from the sun. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Wear wrap-around sunglasses. Apply the recommended amount of a sunscreen before going outside (even on slightly cloudy or cool days); it takes about 1 ounce to fully cover the body; Look for sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, offers “broadspectrum” protection, and is water resistant. Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes prior to going outside. Avoid indoor tanning with UV devices such as sunlamps, sunbeds, and tanning booths. SPF 30 UV SIDEBAR 14 Indoor tanning decreased from 10 percent in 2007 to four percent in 2018 among U.S. adults (192) and from 15.6 percent in 2009 to 5.6 percent in 2017 among U.S. high school students (193). Reducing the Risk of Cancer Development AACR Cancer Progress Report 2023 47
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