Sun Block Regardless of Skin Tone

In the CNN article “Skin Cancer is Color Blind – No Free Pass” the article explains that those with a darker skin tones should use sun block. It states that people of darker skin tones have a natural protection from the sun, people with the darkest skin tones reaching SPF of 13. Which although is interesting is well underneath the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendation of a daily SPF of 15 for everyone. Sadly, some African Americans, Hispanics and Asians feel that because they have skin with darker pigmentation makes them immune from skin cancer. Continuing on the this point only 27 percent of people with darker skin tones use sun block when they are exposed to the sun for four or more hours. Compared to 64 percent of fairer skinned people who use sun block when exposed to the sun for four or more hours. The article explains that even well known celebrities have fallen victim to sun caner the most famous being Bob Marley who died of malignant melanoma that spread to his lungs and brain.
Being based in Fernandina Beach, Florida many of our employees enjoy going to the beach and lounging, surfing and various other water sports. So this article was extremely interesting to us because protection from skin cancer during these activities is of the utmost importance to us. With that being said more information especially regarding the rates of skin cancer for the prospective groups would be helpful. We at the Buckman Medical Group do agree with the author’s assessment that the use of sun block regardless of skin tone is in everyone’s best interest.