Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month?

Skin cancer is America’s most common cancer. Over 5 million cases are diagnosed every year. That’s a scary number that should give us all pause. The good news is that healthcare experts say most forms of skin cancer are preventable. It’s one of the most preventable types of the disease. According to the latest research, about 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Nothing beats enjoying the sun on a warm afternoon, but too much sun can be problematic. Skin cancer is incredibly serious and scary. Just a few facts:

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
• More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
• Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
• When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.
• More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.

Those are some terrifying numbers, but we are not alone in the fight. We have options to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

The number one strategy recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation is to seek the shade and stay out of the direct sun. Harmful UV Rays are merciless. They attack even when you’re trying to avoid them. The sun’s rays can penetrate clouds and glass and bounce off snow, water and sand.  Sun damage accumulates over time. Prolonged exposure is clearly the most unhealthy, but regular, everyday activities over a period of years can still cause problems.

Quite simply, when you are outside, you need to cover up. The easiest, most effective way to protect yourself and those who are important to you is an awning or retractable canopy from Structureworks. Not only do our products lead the industry in terms of style, durability and ease of installation and use, many of our fabrics have been tested by the Skin Cancer Foundation and have been shown to offer increased levels of protection.

In addition to the positive health and welfare benefits, our shade solutions make outdoor living more comfortable. Enjoying time with family and friends isn’t so enjoyable when the sun is blazing overhead and your guests have little or no relief from the heat. Our canopies transform a patio or deck into a true outdoor room and if you ever want to allow in more light, anyone can easily pull back the canopy for a more open feeling.

As the sun becomes brighter and skin cancer, sadly, becomes more pervasive and continues to grow (The diagnosis and treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers in the U.S. increased by 77 percent between 1994 and 2014), now is the time to think about how to keep safe. Get checked, wear sunscreen and try to keep out of the sun.