Protect Your Skin. Protect Your Future.
A community campaign for sun safety.
Sun Safety Starts Here
The skin is your largest organ, and it’s critical that you protect it to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. The Cancer Center at Illinois, Champaign Park District, and Urbana Park District have teamed up to help keep you and your family safe this summer.
Look for our signs at Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center in Urbana and Sholem Aquatic Center in Champaign — and don’t forget to lather up at our sunscreen stations!
Skin Cancer: What To Know
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with thousands of new cases diagnosed every year. The disease is most often caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays produced by the sun. Other risk factors include age, skin type, and family history. Early detection is key, so it’s important to check yourself regularly for any changes in your skin.
Safety Tips
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.
Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats.
Wear sunglasses that block UV rays.
Stay in the shade as much as possible.
Investigating Solutions
Research plays a significant role in the way we understand, detect, diagnose, and treat various types of cancer. Scientists at the Cancer Center at Illinois are contributing to progress that will pave the way for changes in patient care.
One project, coordinated by a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic and a Cancer Center at Illinois researcher, is using artificial intelligence to help doctors predict skin cancer. You can read more here.
In another area of research, CCIL Associate Director for Translational Research and Development Tim Fan assesses new therapies for cancers that share similar traits between humans and pets.
“Just like people, companion animals including dogs, cats, and horses can have increased risks for developing skin cancers due to excessive sunlight exposure,” says Fan, noting that diagnoses in animals can include basal cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
His team is working with partners at both Illinois and external institutes on several projects, some which focus on boosting a patient’s immune system response to help fight cancer cells: for example, injecting novel immunotherapeutic combinations directly into melanoma tumors. Another study evaluates adoptive cellular therapies – treatments that often use cells from the patient’s own tissue – to combat aggressive forms of hemangiosarcoma (referred to as angiosarcoma in people). Results from these studies play an important role in providing clarity on potential treatment options for humans.
A New Perspective
Skin checks can play a critical role in detecting cancer. Deana McDonagh learned that firsthand after finding a new freckle on her arm. She went straight to her doctor, and a biopsy confirmed it was malignant melanoma.
“This experience was a wake-up call,” says McDonagh, who quickly had the spot surgically removed. She hopes her experience is a reminder about the importance of using SPF, covering up in the sun, and checking your skin.
Left: Deana McDonagh. Right: Freckle found on her arm.
