Sun protection doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive-it needs to be consistent. Keep it simple, but do it forever. — Hillary Fogelson, author of Pale Girl Speaks-Melanoma survivor

In a thousand years, archaeologists will dig up tanning beds and think we fried people as punishment. — Olivia Wilde, American actress, filmmaker

It looks like summer has arrived except for strong breezes and the greening of the trees, grass and flowers. Last week I checked when and where the sun was at points throughout the day.  Old Sol arrived at 5:26 A.M. and departed at 7:31 P.M. giving us about fourteen hours of daylight. The highest point for us here in the Prairie arrived at 12:29 P.M. and is called the “solar noon.” The evening “Golden Hour” is between 6:54 P.M. and 7:28 P.M. I’m not a morning person so I skipped the morning “Golden Hour.”

One day we will pray for rain but for now we enjoy the sun. It has the capacity to lift the spirits. It also has the capacity to dry up our lakes and all the green things we are enjoying now. Sam and I were sitting on the front porch enjoying all of this and watching the carpenter bees swarm, the butterflies flit, the birds soar from tree limb to tree limb while Wilhelmina, the cat, came tumbling out of the shed after her long night out. She rolled on her back and wallowed in the dust. At the same time, I was listening for Ruth, the mail carrier, to deliver my sun protection hats. Never before has sun protection been so important to us.

In the United States skin cancer is the most common cancer, also the most preventable and treatable cancer when caught early. We have friends diagnosed with skin cancer on their face, shoulders, hands, head and ears. Any exposed areas are a possibility for skin cancer. Years back, skin cancers were found on my face underneath my eyes just below where large sunglasses should have been. The cancers were too close to the eyes so the blue light treatment was out and a topical chemotherapy cream was used. The dermatologist said, “This is going to get worse before it gets better.” She was dead on. My face looked like I had been in a car wreck. After that I suggested the people I cared about get skin tests. Two of them required surgery. One lost the top of his ear and the other earned a facial scar. Later I would require facial surgery that left a deep scar. I was never a sun worshiper.

The good news is there are products available to decrease the chance of skin cancer and still enjoy the sun like 50+ UPF sun protection hats I ordered. The same goes for shirts, pants, swimsuits, T-shirts, and so on. Large protective sunglasses including “wrap around” can protect your eyes. The bigger the better. Ask for at least UV400, broad spectrum, and polarized lenses. Yes, eyes can be sunburned. Try SPF sun protection gloves when mowing or yard work and even driving gloves. Skin on the hands is thin and susceptible to burning. It’s true sunburn can happen in the car.

Consider new and improved sunscreen products applied 15-30 minutes before your outing and every 4 to 6 hours after. Make sure it’s at least SPF30 or more then go outside and enjoy safe fun in the sun.

Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].

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