DHEC urges use of sunscreen, protective measures before spending time in the sun

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control is reminding everyone to take precautionary measures before heading outdoors for summer fun.

Cassandra Harris is the Assistant Director of Health Programs for DHEC. She says the topic of skin cancer is a personal one for her — after being diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in her early twenties, and more recently squamous cell carcinoma.

“For me it was sailing competitively throughout my youth, but also collegiate sailing really impacts you later on in life. So I think being able to share your stories with your children, making sure you set up great routines early on,” she says.

According to DHEC, everyone should apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher — and reapply every two hours or after swimming.

“What I wasn’t doing was I wasn’t reapplying the sunscreen. I was out sailing, I was competing, I was stuck in the game, so any game, if you’re playing baseball, softball, you’re thinking let’s compete. You’re not thinking about that sunscreen. So I wish that I would’ve been more aware of what the precautions were and what the repercussions were,” she says.

Another preventative measure is to wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses whenever possible.

“My daughter is turning one today. We are making sure that she is protected from the sun when she goes outside. That she has a hat, even though she doesn’t always like wearing the hat. But helping her to learn to love the hat to learn the sunscreen has just become really important for our family to go through together,” says Harris.

Regular self checks on your skin twice a year are recommended as well. And if you see a concerning area that’s scaly, darker in color, or has an irregular shape, get it checked out.

Doctor Brannon Traxler, Chief Medical Officer with DHEC, says that goes for all races and skin types.

“Every skin tone is at risk. Not just those who are fair skin and freckles like me, but all skin tones. But really all skin tones, and so knowing what is normal for you, and any change, quickly getting it checked out,” Traxler says.

In SC in 2021, DHEC reports that over 1,400 people were diagnosed with (and over 100 people died from) melanoma, which is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer.