SEA 



SCIENCE 



because the sun is higher in the sky and less 

 ultraviolet light is filtered," says Burke. 

 "However, the winter months aren't safe 

 because there is some ultraviolet light. I 

 normally tell people to stay out of the sun from 

 10 to 3, but commercial fishermen can't do this 

 because of their work." 



Reflective ultraviolet radiation is as 

 damaging as direct UV radiation. Water reflects 

 up to 100 percent of UV radiation. 



Typically, people don't develop any type 

 of skin cancer until after age 50. However, 

 outdoor workers often develop it at an earlier 

 age. Sun damage builds up slowly and quietly. 



The most common warning sign of skin 

 cancer is a change on the skin, especially a new 

 growth or a sore than doesn't heal. Skin cancers 

 don't all look the same. The cancer may start as 

 a small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump, or it 

 can appear as a firm red lump. Sometimes, the 

 lump bleeds or develops a crust. Skin cancer 

 also can start as a flat, red spot that is rough, dry 

 or scaly. 



Both basal and squamous cell cancers are 

 found mainly on areas of the skin that are 

 exposed to the sun — the head, face, neck, 

 hands and arms. However, skin cancer can 

 occur anywhere. Changes to moles also are 

 worrisome. 



BEST DEFENSE 



To prevent skin cancer, follow these 

 simple steps from the American Cancer 

 Society. 



SLIP on a long-sleeved shirt. 



SLOP on sunscreen with SPF 15+ to 30+ 

 for faii-skinned individuals. Lip balm with 

 sunscreen also is recommended. 



SLAP on a wide brim hat. Ears, noses 

 and lips are common sites of skin cancer. 



Prevention of melanoma is obviously the 

 most desirable weapon against the disease. But 

 if a lesion should develop, it is often curable if 

 caught in the early stages. To aid in early 

 recognition of any new or developing lesion, 

 periodic self-examinations are helpful. 



"Always remember when you're working 

 on the water, you're also working on cancer," 

 says Burke. "Remember to protect your skin 

 from the sun." □ 



For more information, call N.C. 

 Agromedicine Institute, Brody School 

 of Medicine at East Carolina University, 

 252/744-1000 or visit the Web: www. 

 ncagromedicine.org. To order a skin cancer 

 poster, call North Carolina Sea Grant, 919/ 

 515-2454 and ask for UNC-SG-02-10. 



PROTECT EYES 

 FROM SUN 



WL exposed to the sun's 



ultraviolet rays, you can damage your 

 eyes as well as skin. 



Research shows that cumulative 

 exposure to the sun may increase 

 one's chances of developing cataracts. 



The sun causes other eye 

 problems — from skin cancer around 

 the eyes to macular degeneration. 



"Anybody who goes outside 

 should wear sunglasses that are 

 polarized," says William Burke, chief, 

 Division of Dermatology, Brody School 

 of Medicine at East Carolina University. 



Burke recommends that fishers 

 and others protect their eyes with 

 sunglasses. Effective sunglasses should 

 block both UVA and UVB radiation. 



To learn more about eyes and 

 sun exposure, visit www.aad.org/ 

 pamphlets/and click on "ultraviolet 

 index." 



COASTWATCH 25 



