Many U.S. young adults at risk of skin cancer: reports

May 13, 2012

Despite warnings about the dangers of excess sun exposure, many U.S. young adults still get sunburned or use indoor tanning beds, which are increasing their risk for developing skin cancer, according to two studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute.
One study, of people aged 18-29, found that 50 percent reported at least one sunburn in the past year, despite an increase in protective behaviors such as sunscreen use, seeking shade, and wearing long clothing to the ankles. Another report found that indoor tanning is common among young adults, with the highest rates of indoor tanning among white women aged 18-21 years (32 percent) and 22-25 years (30 percent).
Both reports evaluated data from the National Health Interview Survey’s Cancer Control Supplement. They were published Thursday in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
“More public health efforts, including providing shade and sunscreen in recreational settings, are needed to raise awareness of the importance of sun protection and sunburn prevention to reduce the burden of skin cancer,” said Marcus Plescia, director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “We must accelerate our efforts to educate young adults about the dangers of indoor tanning to prevent melanoma as this generation ages.”
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and from indoor tanning equipment is the most important preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Indoor tanning before age 35 increases a person’s risk of getting melanoma by 75 percent. Sunburn indicates too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
To reduce the risk of skin cancer, the CDC recommends:
Stay in the shade, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wear clothing to protect exposed skin.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade the face, head, ears and neck.
Wear wraparound sunglasses that block most ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays.
Use sunscreen with sun protective factor 15 or higher that blocks both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays.
Don’t use indoor tanning.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.