A study published in the Archives of Dermatology suggested that runners may be at an increased risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. Runners were found to have more abnormal skin lesions (nevi) which are risk factors for developing skin cancer. In the study, regular sun screen use was reported in only 52.6% of runners.
May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that runners:
- Run during hours when the sun is less intense (it is most intense between 10 AM and 4 PM)
- Put sunscreen on before your put on your running clothes
- Run in a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
- Always keep sunscreen in your race bag
- Reapply mid race for long runs (sunscreen loses it effectiveness after two hours)
According to the Centers for Disease Control, certain people are at increased risk for skin cancers:
- a lighter natural skin color
- a personal history of skin cancer
- a family history of melanoma
- exposure to the sun through work and play
- a history of sunburns early in life
- skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily
- blue or green eyes
- naturally blond or red hair
Sun awareness is especially important for kids. In many cases, up to 80% of the sun exposure in a lifetime occurs before age 18. One blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the chance of developing melanoma later in life.
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