Warmer temperatures and clear skies mean more people will be getting outside, walking the Huckleberry Trail and enjoying a variety of other outdoor activities.
May is “Skin Cancer Awareness Month,” and that means those same individuals need to remember to take preventive measures as they enjoy the sunny weather.
The American Cancer Society says more than five million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and melanoma is the most common skin cancer in the United States. About 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
An estimated 9,320 people will die this year from melanoma, and those numbers have continued to rise over the past 30 years.
Melanoma is more than 20 times more common in whites and those with light-colored skin. The risk also increases as individuals become older, and it can develop anywhere on the skin.
One of the ways, according to the American Cancer Society, to prevent skin cancer and melanoma is to use lotion with sunscreen.
A local recreation department is doing its part as individuals start to enjoy a variety of outside of activities.
The Christiansburg Recreation Department has received a collaborative grant from the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Parks and Recreation Society. The rec department’s director, Brad Epperley, said he takes sun protection very seriously, and the grant will provide sunscreen dispensers at up to 20 Christiansburg outdoor locations
“We try to be proactive and preventive with possible sun damage. Each year we work with Dr. Chad Johnston at River Ridge Dermatology whose office hosts a skin cancer screening (at the Christiansburg Recreation Center), and we want to make sure the users of our recreational facilities have access to sun screen for sun protection. In many cases, a person might be at an outdoor activity such as a baseball tournament all day on Saturday and forget their sunscreen. Now they will have it without worry,” he said.
One bag of sunscreen contains 1000 dispensations and batteries are anticipated to provide 50,000 uses. At the VDH central office, sunscreen and batteries are typically replaced every 8-12 months in their onsite dispensers.
“Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, but the risk of developing it can be reduced by using broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, seeking shade, wearing clothing to cover the arms and legs and using sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection,” Epperley added.
“Protecting the skin can reduce the exposure to UV rays, which are even present on overcast and sunny days,” he said.
Organizations were selected for participating based on the order of response to a survey and pending available funds. VDH provides the initial supply of sunscreen and D cell batteries for dispensers, however, ongoing maintenance will be the responsibility of the participant.
Dispensers should be popping up over the next month in Christiansburg at: the Harkrader Sports Complex, Kiwanis Park, along the Huckleberry Trail, Depot Park, Downtown Park, Summit Ridge Park, John Lemley Park, Circle Park, Wall Street Park and at the Christiansburg Recreation Center.
