888-765-5400Sun Protection
As March rolls in like a lion and out like a lamb, we are all sure to find ourselves spending more time enjoying the April showers bringing May flowers. Keep in mind these helpful sun protection and safety tips! The following recommendations are brought to us by the Center for Diease Control and Prevention (CDC)http://www.cdc.gov/Cancer/skin/basic_info/howto
“Summer is a great time to have fun outdoors. It’s also a time to take precautions to avoid sunburns, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Most forms of skin cancer can be cured. However, the best way to avoid skin cancer is to protect your skin from the sun.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays appears to be the most important environmental factor involved with developing skin cancer. During the summer months, UV radiation tends to be greater.
To help prevent skin cancer while still having fun outdoors, regularly use sun protective practices such as
- Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage.
- Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best.
- Get a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
- Grab shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
- Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
- It’s always wise to choose more than one way to cover up when you’re in the sun. Use sunscreen and put on a shirt… Seek shade and grab your sunglasses… Wear a hat, but rub on sunscreen too. Combining these sun protective actions helps protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
UV rays reach you on cloudy and hazy days, as well as bright and sunny days. UV rays will also reflect off any surface like water, cement, sand, and snow. Additionally, UV rays from artificial sources of light, like tanning beds, cause skin cancer and should be avoided.”
For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.