Rural Health urges precautions during UV Safety Month to prevent skin cancer

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) — Rural Health Inc. is encouraging residents to take precautions against harmful ultraviolet rays as July marks UV Safety Month.

Health officials said prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause sunburns, premature aging, dehydration and increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease.

According to Rural Health, the risk of skin damage is greatest between May and August when the sun’s rays are most direct. UV exposure can occur even on cloudy or cool days and may be intensified by reflection from surfaces such as water, sand, concrete and snow.

Common signs of sun damage include wrinkles, pigmentation changes, rough patches of skin and skin cancer. Individuals with fair skin, blonde or red hair, a personal or family history of skin cancer, or a history of multiple sunburns face a higher risk of developing melanoma.

To reduce the risk of skin damage, Rural Health recommends wearing protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses, seeking shade when possible and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

Officials advise reapplying sunscreen every two hours while outdoors and checking expiration dates before use.

Rural Health also encourages regular skin cancer screenings, especially for individuals with a history of significant sun exposure or sunburns.

For more information or to schedule a skin cancer screening, contact Rural Health Inc. at 618-833-4471 or visit ruralhealthinc.org.

Rural Health Inc. is a federally qualified health center serving Johnson, Massac and Union counties in Southern Illinois.