PHOENIX — Arizona winters are what many people move to State 48 for: mild temperatures, plenty of sunshine and plenty of outdoor activities to keep you occupied until the blistering desert heat comes back.
But just because it isn't 117 degrees doesn't mean the sun isn't shining damaging Ultraviolet B rays, which can cause skin cancer. With more than five million cases diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.
Dr. Miguel Gonzalez-Velez, a doctor at Dignity Health Center Cancer Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, said Arizonans must keep sun safety top of mind since there isn't much cloud cover and we don't have as much wind compared to the coasts.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: El cáncer en la piel sigue siendo un riesgo para los arizonenses durante el invierno
"Arizona is the state that has the most UV light exposure compared to any other state... which is the main contributor to melanoma and other skin cancers," Gonzalez-Velez said.
Gonzalez Velez said a common misconception he hears often is that sunscreen isn't necessary in the cooler weather.
"This is an urban myth because the sun, it's out and can have damage to the skin at any time of the year, regardless of the temperatures," Gonzalez-Velez said.
Another common misconception Gonzalez-Velez addressed was the efficacy of sunscreen for people with darker complexions. He said while it is true to "some degree" that people with more melanin have a little bit more protection from the sun, everyone can get sunburnt.
"This goes for everybody," Gonzalez-Velez said.
And while many sun safety tips are said often, Gonzalez-Velez said it does not make them any less true. Wearing sunscreen, wearing long sleeves and not going outside during peak sun exposure are all ways to protect yourself against skin cancer.
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