What can be more enjoyable than a nice long run on a beautiful sunny day? It is truly one of life’s great pleasures. On days like these, however, your muscles, lungs, and heart are not only parts of your body getting a work-out – so is your skin. Every year, more than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed. It is by far the most common form of cancer. Unfortunately, runners may be particularly susceptible to skin cancer, according to a 2006 Austrian study published in The Archives of Dermatology. The study revealed that long distance runners had higher rates of lesions suggestive of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, two forms of skin cancer. With this knowledge, we runners need to protect ourselves. Here are some basic steps.
· Run before 10 am or after 4 pm when the sun’s rays are less powerful. For particularly fair-skinned runners, there is no shame in running before the sun rises, after it sets, or on a treadmill.
· If you are going to run outside during daylight hours, apply sunscreen with at least an SPF rating of 15, 30 minutes prior to exposure. This protection lasts less than two hours so consider reapplication if you are on a very long run. Use a water and sweat-proof sunscreen.
· Wear UV-protective clothing. Many athletic-wear manufacturers are now displaying the UV-rating of their clothing. As a general rule of thumb, the darker the fabric and tighter the weave, the higher level of protection you’ll receive. Keep in mind that these fabrics can still be breathable and moisture-wicking.
· Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect your head and face. Your face is particularly susceptible to sun damage.
· Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around your eyes.
· Reapply sunscreen liberally to extremities and other exposed areas including your hands, face, neck, ears, and scalp (particularly if you have thinning hair).
· Most importantly – cover-up with as much clothing as you can comfortably wear. We know you want to show-off those guns and abs-of-steel that you’ve worked for but it’s just not worth it.
Finally, monitor your skin on a regular basis. Pay particular attention to changes in skin color, texture, and moles. These changes may be indications of pre-cancerous skin conditions that can be dealt with easily and early by your dermatologist.
Despite these risks, continue to enjoy the occasional long run on a sunny day. As one of life’s simple pleasure, these runs are worth savoring. They are simply more enjoyable when your skin is fully protected. For more information on skin cancer and skin cancer prevention, please visit www.skincancer.org.
Your site was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
Posted by: GeneTinsley | October 09, 2009 at 07:31 PM