(Undated) — With summer approaching, dermatologists are reminding Minnesotans to protect their skin from excessive sun exposure.
Dr. David Pearson of the University of Minnesota Medical School says Minnesota has one of the highest melanoma rates in the country, partly because people spend long winters covered up before getting intense sun exposure during the warmer months.
“Certain types of skin cancers particularly melanoma are probably more related to intermittent intense sun exposure which is what happens in Minnesota. You know we’re one of the leading rates of melanoma in the country and we’ve covered up all winter and we get a lot of intense sun. We’re outside and we want to enjoy it. It’s just important that we are making sure we’re keeping ourselves protected.”
Pearson says melanoma treatment has improved significantly over the past 15 years, especially with the development of immunotherapy.
“2011 with the approval of ipilimumab the start of immunotherapy, which is really the way many cancers including melanoma are predominately treated today. Really trying to stimulate an immune response so your immune system is also killing the cancer.”
Pearson says sunlight provides health benefits, but people should limit prolonged exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. He also encourages regular sunscreen use. A new sunscreen ingredient, BEMT, recently approved by the FDA, is expected to reach the market in the coming months.
