☀️Summer Sun & Skin Cancer: What Every Expat Needs to Know
As summer arrives, many expats find themselves soaking up the sun – whether lounging poolside, hiking with friends, or chasing family memories abroad. But increased sun exposure brings a major health consideration: higher risk of skin cancer.
Know Your Skin Cancer Risks
There are three main types of skin cancer:
- Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) – the most common and generally less aggressive
- Melanoma – less common but more deadly, and often caused by repeated sunburns
- Almost 90% of melanomas are linked to UV exposure
- Even one severe sunburn can triple melanoma risk
- Clothing choices – like bare torsos in men and exposed legs in women – affect where melanomas appear
Understand the Sun’s UV Power
- UV rays damage skin DNA over time, even on cloudy days – up to 90% of these rays penetrate clouds
- UV exposure isn’t just a summertime issue – it accumulates over your lifetime
READ MORE >> Do You Really Need to Wear Sunscreen Every Day?
Smart Sun-Safety Tips
Follow the “Shade, Cover, Screen” approach:
| Strategy | Tips |
|---|---|
| Shade | Avoid sun 10am to 4pm or after long-term UV index checks; sit in umbrellas or under trees |
| Cover | Wear tightly woven, sun-protective clothing; choose wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses to protect eyelids |
| Screen | Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+, generous and regular application – every two hours or after swimming/sweating |
- Don’t rely on makeup or spray tanning for UV protection – benefits are minimal
- Reapply sunscreen after towel-drying or sweating
- Don’t use tanning beds – they’re strongly linked to harmful UV exposure
READ MORE >> Cancer Research UK – Sun Safety
Perform Regular Self-Checks
Learn the ABCDEs of Melanoma:
- Asymmetry
- Border irregularity
- Color variation
- Diameter over 6 mm
- Evolution (changes in appearance)
Check your skin monthly and report new or changing spots to a healthcare provider.
Balance Vitamin D and Protection
While some sunlight is healthy (for mood and vitamin D), safe intake – often just 5–30 minutes two to three times a week—is sufficient. You can also replace with supplements or vitamin-rich foods.
When Should You See a Doctor?
- Any changed mole (size, shape, color, bleeding, itchiness)
- Persistent non-healing lesions
- Sudden new, unusual skin spots
Early detection saves lives and ensures faster, simpler treatment.
Why This Matters
- Stronger UV levels in many expat locales make sun protection essential
- Less familiarity with local care systems can delay diagnosis – but your international health plan likely covers screenings
- Making sun-safety a daily habit protects your health and supports broader wellness benefit use
One World Cover Can Help
As expat health specialists, we provide customized support:
- Reminders and education on sun-safe behavior
- Assistance with finding dermatologists and scheduling skin checks
- Help navigating claims related to preventative screenings
Take action today to protect your skin – or contact us for help including annual dermatology check-ups in your health plan.
☀️Enjoy the Sun Responsibly…
Sunshine boosts our spirits—but unprotected UV exposure increases skin cancer risk. Stay safe by avoiding peak sun, covering up sensibly, applying quality sunscreen, and doing regular skin checks. These simple steps protect your health and well-being – today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
READ MORE >> Cancer Research UK – Skin Cancer 101: what everyone Should Know
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