Cancer survivor talks about dangers of sun exposure
Karen Joseph and her son were cooling off at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center on Thursday.
Like many people in the Coachella Valley, they were looking to beat the heat during several days of excessive heat.
Joseph made sure to take several breaks and reapply sunscreen.
“I know sunscreen very well and the best stuff has zinc in it,” said Joseph, while reapplying sunscreen next to the pool. “That’s a mineral that turns your face white and makes you look funny, but for me and my history, it is the best for me and my kids and myself,” Joseph said.
Joseph is a skin cancer survivor.
“It’s not fun to go to the dermatologist and have cancer cut off you or burned off you. It’s a nightmare,” Joseph said.
“You want to put sunscreen on,” said Cassius Joseph, 11. “It is really important, and I have seen some of the stuff my mom has had to go through and I respect that we have to wear sunscreen even if it is annoying at times.”
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can reduce their risk of skin damage and skin cancer by seeking shade before you need relief from the sun.
The best way to protect skin is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when outside, even when staying in the shade.
If anyone is spending time outdoors, be sure to stay hydrated. Temperatures in certain parts of the desert could exceed 115 degrees. Be sure to wear sunglasses to protect eyes from UVA and UVB rays, and take frequent breaks indoors with air conditioning.
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