July is UV Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the importance of sun protection. Even as we enjoy the warm summer days, remembering the risks associated with prolonged sun exposure and taking proactive steps to protect our skin are crucial.
Understanding UV Radiation
UV radiation is made up of the invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface is made up of two types of rays called UVA and UVB. UV radiation also comes from sun lamps and tanning beds in the form of UVC.
- UVA: Penetrates deep into the skin, causing aging and long-term damage
- UVB: Affects the skin's surface and is the main cause of sunburn
- UVC: Mostly blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere and never reaches us. Thus, the only way that humans can be exposed to UVC radiation is from an artificial source, such as a tanning lamp
The Dangers of Melanoma
One of the most significant risks of UV exposure is skin cancer, particularly melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It originates in the melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color.
- Prevalence: According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma rates have been rising for the last 30 years. In 2024 alone, nearly 100,000 new cases are estimated to be diagnosed in the United States
- Mortality: While melanoma accounts for just 1% of all cases of skin cancer, it is the #1 cause of skin cancer deaths
- Risk Factors: Major risk factors for melanoma include excessive UV exposure, having fair skin, a history of sunburns, numerous moles, a family history of skin cancer, and use of tanning beds
Boundless CEO Kerry Hilton is passionate about cancer prevention and used our platform to raise awareness for melanoma by creating our very own awareness campaign titled #BewareBeSafe. The creative team put their heads together to create a huge, hideous Monster Melanoma rising from the sand at a popular Texas beach, highlighting that melanoma risk is always waiting wherever we are exposed to the sun. We also created the giant sand sculpture outside the biggest beach bar at the sandcastle capital of the world, South Padre Island. The sculpture drew crowds and news media as we handed out sunscreen and cover-up t-shirts, along with tips for staying safe from sun damage at the beach.
This past Memorial Day, we activated Monster Melanoma again, this time at a large public waterpark in Houston. We affixed monster decals to the bottom of swimming pools to let swimmers know that the source of real summer danger lurks above them, not below the water’s surface. Bringing our message to the masses in person was certainly impactful one-on-one engagement. We also filmed and repurposed the content from both events to be used in marketing materials and social media for a summer-long awareness push.
UV Awareness Month is a great opportunity to educate yourself and others about the importance of sun protection. Share information with friends and family, encourage skin checks, and make sunscreen a daily habit.
A few simple precautions can help you and your family enjoy the sun safely and protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation:
- Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs and a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
Let’s make this summer not only fun but also safe and healthy for everyone. Stay sun-smart and have a BOUNDLESS summer!
References:
- American Cancer Society. (2024). Skin Cancer Facts & Figures.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Sun Safety.
