AZ has low skin cancer rates!

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Gandalara

Sometimes, not using sunscreen is safer ....

Man catches fire while grilling

Well, most don't use aerosol sunscreen. Looks like a good reason not to...

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by observer53

Well, most don't use aerosol sunscreen. Looks like a good reason not to...

They don't? I would say hardly anyone uses the old fashioned kind anymore. The aerosols are the ones on display at the store. You have to look on the bottom to find the cremes.

[observer53]

I've always used the creams, as do most people I know, as the stronger formulations tend to come that way. You have to put more on than a light aerosol will do, unless you want to use the spray so often it's inconvenient. And, an aerosol on the face? No.

[nitram]

There is a new drug to fight skin cancer for the sun-splashed masses of Arizona.

Read more: New drug can fight inherited skin cancer

[DellNec]

Even though I live in AZ (the land of the sun), I suffer from very low Vitamin-D deficiency (10.5 ng/mL). I was ORDERED by my doctor to go out and get more sun everyday. As the best source of Vitamin D for us is via the sun and our skin absorbing the suns UVB rays.

There are studies out there that show Vitamin D deficiencies CAUSE skin cancer. So an area like Arizona that has a lot of sun can theoretically have a lower skin cancer rate IF the people get moderate amounts of sun. Like anything, over exposure is bad and so is underexposure.

I wore long sleeves and sunscreen but now I have to cut back on that because I need MORE sun. I will probably get 15 minutes a day of sun exposure to help my Vitamin D deficiency. Along with taking 5,000 units of Vitamin D3 per day to boost my levels. Also found out that the good for you UVB rays DO NOT penetrate glass.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

They don't? I would say hardly anyone uses the old fashioned kind anymore. The aerosols are the ones on display at the store. You have to look on the bottom to find the cremes.

There is a good reason to use the aerosols as many of them contain helioplex, which contain avebenzone and oxybenzone which helps the sunscreen remain longer and you don't have to reapply as often. The creams are good too but no one should bash a sunscreen because it's in an aerosol form.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Ken8374

When I moved here from back east I was amazed at how many tanning salons there are out here in Phoenix. It seemed very odd that with so much sun people would pay for a tan. Do people feel that using tanning salons is safer than baking in the sun?

In Arizona, yes. The reason is the sun is very intense here, and people tend to spend too much time outdoors without realizing how serious the consquences can be ... not only with skin cancer, but with other factors like dehydration & heat stroke. At least with tanning beds, there is a set time limit (usually 15 or 20 minutes), which means less of a chance of overexposure. Also, you are in an air conditioned facility, so it is more comfortable & there is virtually no chance of heat stroke. Overall, tanning beds (if used non addictively) are safer than the direct sun here.

But moderation is definitely the key with anything, whether it be direct sun exposure or tanning beds. A certain amount of natural sunlight is healthy, and actually essential due to the Vitamin D factor ... but in Arizona, we get a little too much sunshine, and a few too many fried brained types who can't seem to get enough of it (the "sun freaks" as I affectionately call them).

[9162]

Originally Posted by nitram

Arizona is #2 in skin cancer in the world behind Australia.
Even though this article is old our dermatologists, 2 of them say this is still true information.
Why is Skin Cancer an Arizona Epidemic?

This is true. It also doesn't make sense for Texas and Nevada to be so low as well. I suspect a primary reason for this, assuming the information is accurate, is that AZ, TX & NV have a large younger population, which may be obscuring actual statistics.