An abundance of sunshine is one of the pleasures of summer. The Medical Society of the State of New York warns, though, that too much exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer.
The most serious form of skin cancer is melanoma. The disease begins in cells that produce the skin coloring or pigment, known as melanin. Most melanoma cells continue to produce melanin, causing the tumors to become brown or black. According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for about 4 percent of skin-cancer cases but causes 79 percent of skin-cancer deaths. Almost 47,700 new melanoma cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year, according to the state medical society.
Along with lotions, such as sunblock, sun-worshipping South Shore residents can take numerous proactive steps to avoid overexposure to the sun:
(N) Make a conscious effort to avoid the sun's rays.
(N) Know that everyone is at risk for skin cancer, regardless of skin color, and everyone needs protection from the sun.
(N) Plan your sun strategy before you go out. You will need a hat, protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen.
(N) Realize that sunlight can reflect off water, sand and concrete.
(N) Don't be fooled by cloudy skies, which contain ultraviolet rays.
(N) Choose long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Wear a hat that shades the face, neck and ears.
(N) Some medications, such as antibiotics, can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.
(N) Children need extra protection from the sun. Encourage children to play in the shade. Make them wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen regularly.
(N) Sunscreen is not recommended for children less than 6 months old. Keep infants in the shade and covered with clothing.
(N) For best results, apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before going outside to allow it time to bond with your skin.
(N) Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring heavily or drying skin with a towel.
SUBHED (B) Gardening and arthritis (UB)
If you have arthritis and love to garden, the Arthritis Foundation recommends that you follow a few tips to help you tend your flowers and vegetable plants with greater ease.
Before beginning in the garden, do a few stretching exercises or take a brief walk. The short warm-up will help unloosen stiff joints and muscles.
While gardening, pace yourself. Take rest breaks and alter your activity to avoid working at one task for a long period of time.
Plan the layout of your garden to meet physical needs. Planting in raised beds makes it easier for you to reach places, according to the Long Island Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Trellises with climbing plants look lovely and help those with arthritis to limit their bending and kneeling, which can be hard on knees, hips and backs. The Foundation also recommends to avoid planting in tight rows, making it difficult to maneuver, or placing the plot too far from the water spigot.
For more information about arthritis, visit the foundation's Web site www.arthritis.org.
SUBHED (B) Exercise and migraine attacks (UB)
The arrival of pleasant weather can increase the motivation to get out and exercise. Whether jogging in Valley Stream's Hendrickson Park or playing tennis in Lawrence, caution should be taken for those prone to migraine attacks.
The National Headache Foundation suggests that taking appropriate precautions can minimize headache pain and make it possible to maintain a fitness program. And the state medical society endorses daily exercise.
Those susceptible to headaches should practice the following procedures when exercising:
(N) Warm up adequately before exercise.
(N) Drink plenty of water.
(N) Be aware of environmental factors, such as extreme heat or ozone alerts.
(N) Don't skip or miss meals.
(N) Follow a regular sleep schedule.
(B) Notes and lectures (UB)
(B) Winthrop-University Hospital (UB) will present a free Women's Health Forum lecture, "Are You Withdrawing From Your Memory Bank? I Don't Remember!" on Wednesday, July 11. The program will begin with registration at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7, at the Winthrop Community Outreach Center, 101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola. Preregistration is required. For more information, call 1-888-53-WOMEN. ... (B)Winthrop-University Hospital's Parenting Center (UB) is offering several workshops for parents on issues ranging from good nutritional habits for children to managing a youngster's temper tantrum. Call 1-877-599-KIDS for information about the workshops, including schedules and fees. ... (B)North Shore University Hospital (UB) at Glen Cove wants residents to know they have established a Safe Haven Program. The hospital's program is part of New York State's Abandoned Infant Protection Act, which allows a mother to drop off her baby in the hospital's emergency room and leave, no questions asked. For more information about North Shore's program, call 1-877-796-HOPE. ... (B) Franklin Hospital Medical center (UB) in Valley Stream also is a Safe Haven facility. Babies can be taken directly to Franklin's Safe Haven site within the first five days after birth. No one faces criminal charges if the baby is brought unharmed to the hospital, according to Dr. John Rohe, emergency department director. For more information, call 1-877-796-4673. ... (B) Franklin Hospital Medical Center's Breast Cancer Support Group (UB) will hold its next monthly meeting in August. The meetings take place in the hospital's Dr. Alvin Greenberg Conference Center at 900 Franklin Ave., Valley Stream. For information about the next meeting, call (516) 256-6012. ... (B) Valuecare Pharmacy (UB) of Franklin Square sponsors a continuous breast-health class for women. The program teaches about lifestyle changes that can significantly lower risk of breast cancer. The classes cover age-appropriate annual mammograms and clinical breast exams. For information about fees and class times, call (516) 596-2057. ... (B) Long Island Crisis Center (UB) in Bellmore received a $1,750 grant from the Astraea Lesbian Action Foundation/Marsha Day Memorial Fund in New York City. The grant will be used to support a Summer Theater Camp for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth on Long Island. Camp members will participate in all phases of an original musical. To find out more about the camp or to register, call (516) 679-9000. ... (B) Nassau University Medical Center (UB) in East Meadow seeks volunteers this summer. The Auxiliary Department at the hospital oversees hundreds of volunteers, who perform many duties. Volunteers are needed to read to children in the pediatrics ward. Others are needed to assist in the gift shop or at the information desk. Volunteers are also needed to act as interpreters of Spanish, French/Creole, Polish, Russian and Chinese. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and in good physical health. For more information, call (516) 572-6588. ... (B) The Mental Health Association of Nassau County (UB) in Hempstead seeks volunteers to form friendships with people struggling with mental illness. Volunteers are needed to share as little as one hour each week. For more information about the COMPEER program, call (516) 489-2322 ext. 121.
[Begin bold]Compiled by Robert Remler, health editor. Healtheditor@liherald.com
