May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month | Avery Dennison

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month:

What is the Sun-Protection Measure You’re Probably Overlooking?

MENTOR, Ohio – May 2, 2022 – Skin Cancer Awareness Month is an initiative of the nonprofit Skin Cancer Foundation, which for more than 40 years has been helping people understand the importance of skin cancer prevention, early detection and prompt, effective treatment. As a member of the Foundation’s Corporate Council, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions is proud to encourage people to be proactive about daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer.

With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) from the sun causes skin cancer. UV rays also damage your eyes and cause your skin to lose elasticity, sag, stretch, bruise more easily, and age prematurely. Most of us are aware of the primary ways to protect ourselves from the sun:

Avoid prolonged exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
If you are outside, cover up with sun-protective clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Don’t get sunburned.
Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.
Liberally apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
Keep infants out of the sun for the first six months rather than using sunscreen on their sensitive skin. Clothing should cover babies’ vulnerable arms and legs, and don’t forget to use hats, sunglasses, and stroller shades.
Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
See a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam.

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation

Here is one more measure, recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, that many people are not aware of: Have UV-protective window film applied to windows in your car (and in your home, if appropriate).

“On average people spend at least an hour every day inside their cars with only the car windows between their skin and the sun’s damaging rays,” said Debra Levy, president of the Auto Glass Safety Council. “Car windshields are treated at the factory to shield drivers from most UVA rays, and some sunroofs may provide protection, but the side and back windows often aren’t treated.

“Whenever you are in a car or any kind of vehicle in the daytime, you are being bombarded on your left side if you are the driver and on your right side if you’re the passenger. Window film can provide much-needed protection,” she said.

“Car windshields are treated to shield drivers from most UVA rays, and some sunroofs may provide protection, but the side and back windows often aren’t treated,” said Debra Levy, president of the Auto Glass Safety Council. Professionally installed automotive window films, like the Avery Dennison NR Pro window film installed here on this Genesis G90, can block up to 99% of UV rays.”

Drivers who spend a lot of time on the road should be particularly concerned about sun exposure. A 2010 study at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine found that Americans who spent more time driving were more likely to develop skin cancer on their left side. Malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, was even more divided, with 74 percent of cases on the left side and only 26 percent on the right.

“Non-reflective automotive window films can be applied that will block 99% of ultraviolet radiation,” said Randy Garcia, Avery Dennison Window Film Regional Technical Specialist. “The best of these aftermarket films also reject heat and glare while protecting vehicle interiors from fading.

“Automotive window films come in a variety of shades and light transmission levels, all of which block UV radiation and glare,” he explained. “The newest window films are available in virtually clear tints and yet still block >99% of UV light and an impressive percentage of glare. Your window film dealer can advise you on how dark you’re allowed to tint car windows in your state. They will help you select a film that meets the legal standard while providing the appearance you are looking for.”

A common misconception is that you only need to worry about UV rays on sunny days. Not so.

According to Florida dermatologist Johnny Gurgen, D.O., “When compared with completely clear skies, studies have shown that partially cloudy skies have raised the UVB rays by 25% and increased DNA damage up to 40%.”

Harold Nimitz, owner of House of Tint in Winslow, Arizona, notes another common misperception.

“Down in Phoenix, where I was originally located, people were very aware of the benefit of window film for blocking UV rays,” he said. “But I find that up here in the cooler, higher elevation of Northeast Arizona, people don’t really think about it. In fact, UV exposure at high elevations is significantly greater than at sea level.”

Clear skies or cloudy, mountains or valleys, summer or winter, follow the Skin Cancer Foundation’s guidance and take a comprehensive approach to protecting yourself and your family from the sun.

Find more information about skin cancer and sun protection from the Skin Cancer Foundation at skincancer.org.

Find more information about Avery Dennison solar protection architectural and automotive window films at graphics.averydennison.com/windowfilms.

About Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products and solutions, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. The company employs approximately 36,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2021 were $8.4 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.