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| SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2026
Skin Care
prevention for seniors W
isdom and age frequentlygo hand in hand. But when it comes to knowledge of the latest medical advancements, some older adults may not be up-to-date. Medical recommendations evolve over time. After all, it wasn’t too long-ago people were told to avoid foods containing high amounts of dietary cholesterol because it would raise their own blood cholesterol levels. Now MedlinePlus says the general consensus is that eating dietary cholesterol has a minimal impact on blood cholesterol for most people. And people in their 70s may have raised children thinking it was fine to lay the child in the crib on the baby’s stomach. Now the advice is “back is best.” Medical professionals now know that exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun and tanning beds can contribute to the development of skin cancer. But just a few generations ago people were slathering on baby oil and using suntan reflectors to accelerate tanning. The risk of skin cancer is raised for those who have had cumulative exposure to the sun. So, it is essential that seniors practice sun safety every day so they are not adding to the damage that already may have occurred. It’s also foolish to think, “I’ve
made it this long without skin cancer, and it takes decades to develop, so I’m never going to get it.” No one knows how long they will live and it’s important to take care of oneself to live as strong, healthy and long as possible. To that end, seniors can employ these sun safety tips, courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Learn the facts
Suffering just five sunburns over your lifetime more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma, and each successive tan or sunburn raises the risk even further. Suntans damage the skin’s DNA and age it before its time. Also, skin undergoes changes that reduce defenses against disease and healing. One bad burn as a senior may be the final straw.
Use sunscreen
Sunscreen may not have been widely used when today’s seniors were young. Just because that was the norm then doesn’t mean things can’t change now. It’s never too late to reduce your skin cancer risk by lathering on sun-
screen daily, even when the sun doesn’t seem particularly strong. Seniors should look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 for daily use.
Wear protective clothing
Choose tightly woven, longsleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats to protect Seek shade you. You can purchase clothing that has sun protection When spending time built right in. outdoors, seek shady spots, whether you’re under an umAvoid being outside brella or in tree-lined areas.
during certain times of day
Stay out of the sun when it is at its peak. Radiation is typically the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That’s when the risk for skin damage is highest, says the American Cancer Society.
Sun safety for seniors is generally the same for people of all ages. But it becomes a more urgent necessity due to cumulative sun exposure that comes with age.
Did You Know?
Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is crucial for maintaining health. Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function. For the last 20 years, researchers have studied vitamin D to determine if it can help to prevent certain cancers. The theory that it may is built upon the role vitamin D plays in regulating cell growth, proliferation and cell death (apoptosis). Data published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019 that was based on the largest randomized clinical trials on the topic, the VITAL
(Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial), reveals the link between vitamin D and cancer prevention is nuanced. The primary finding was that vitamin D supplementation did not significantly lower the overall incidence rate of invasive cancer in the general population, when compared to the placebo. However, when researchers looked into specific cancer types, the VITAL study showed a statistically significant 38 percent reduction in total cancer mortality (death from cancer) among participants who took vitamin D for at least two years. Among the more than 25,000 men and women who participated, those who took 2,000 international units of vitamin D each day for an average of 5.3 years were nearly 20 percent less likely than those who took the placebo to have an advanced cancer, which is defined as one that metastasized or proved fatal. The risk reduction also correlated to participants being at a normal weight. Researchers didn’t see a benefit in people who
were overweight or obese. There has been a compelling trend regarding colorectal cancer and vitamin D supplementation. Data published in JAMA Network Open showed that those who consistently supplemented with vitamin D had a roughly 17 to 25 percent lower risk of developing advanced colorectal adenomas or cancer, suggesting a potential benefit for protecting against gastrointestinal malignancies. While vitamin D is vital for overall health, it cannot conclusively and universally be recommended as a cancer prevention measure for the general public, based on scientific consensus supported by the National Cancer Institute and other medical organizations. However, given the link between vitamin D and cancer mortality, supplementing with vitamin D is a low-risk measure individuals can adopt. It’s always best to consult with a doctor for more guidance about appropriate supplementation doses and health strategies.