Here in South Florida, where boating and the beach and outdoor life is second nature to our daily routine, one must be mindful of their exposure to the sun and the potential harmful effect of its UV rays. So at the risk of sounding like your mother, “Wear your sunscreen!” Unfortunately, for some, this message comes too late. This blog is dedicated to those we know currently battling skin cancer, and to those we knew who have succumbed to its fatal end. 

According to the American Cancer Society, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. One person dies of melanoma every 52 minutes. Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns. 

Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent and the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent. Armed with this knowledge, applying sunscreen to your exposed skin should be as routine as combing your hair or brushing your teeth. 

The seven sunscreens that earned recommendations from Consumer Reports are:

Banana Boat's Ultra Defense Max Skin Protect SPF 110 spray.

BullFrog Water Armor Sport InstaCool SPF 50+ spray.

Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50.

Neutrogena Ultimate Sport SPF 70+ lotion.

Target's Up & Up Spray Sport SPF 50 spray. 

Walgreens' Well Sport SPF 50 spray.

Walmart's Equate Ultra Protection SPF 50.

The staff at Nautical Ventures practice what we preach. Much of our workday is spent outdoors and we encourage all our staff to wear their sunscreen, along with protective clothing, throughout the day. 

So let’s close on a positive note. Caught early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is around 97%. The 10-year survival is around 95%. Skin cancer and precancerous cells are some of the more easily treatable cancers, if detected early. Getting a checkup from your dermatologist should be part of your annual medical visits. And wearing sunscreen should be a part of your daily routine.