U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer. The amount of damage from UV exposure depends on the strength of the light, the length of exposure, and whether the skin is protected. There are no safe UV rays or safe suntans. Skin Cancer Sun exposure at any age can cause skin cancer. Be especially careful in the sun if you burn easily, spend a lot of time outdoors, or have any of the following physical features:
It's important to examine your body monthly because skin cancers detected early can almost always be cured. The most important warning sign is a spot on the skin that is changing in size, shape, or color during a period of 1 month to 1 or 2 years. Skin cancers often take the following forms:
Block Out UV Rays
Preventing Skin Cancer
For more information about preventing,detecting, and treating skin cancer, check out these sources: American Cancer Society www.cancer.org 1-800-ACS-2345 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover 1-888-842-6355 The Skin Cancer Foundation www.skincancer.org 1-800-SKIN-490 OSHA 3166-06R 2003 |
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Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
Page last updated: 2003 |