So many of us love to bask in the sun, but many underestimate its true power and how important it is to keep ourselves protected from the harmful rays. 

Today on Indy Style, Keeter Sechrist, MD, Board President, Outrun the Sun, and Matt King, Board of Directors Member, Outrun the Sun, tell us more about the upcoming festival and answer a few questions concerning sunscreen, tanning beds and more. 

1.    How much sunscreen should the average size adult use?  One Tablespoon? One ounce? Two ounces? (Answer: One ounce…about enough to fill a shot glass)

2.    How many times would you have to fill the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to capacity to see the number of Americans diagnosed with skin cancer annually? Once? Five times? 12 times? (Answer 12); Nearly 4 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. This equates to more than colon, breast, lung and prostate cancers combined. 

3.     It is known that just one indoor tanning bed session can increase a person’s risk for developing melanoma by what percent? 10%?, 15%?, 20%? Answer: According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one tanning session can increase a person’s risk for melanoma by 20%. Studies indicate that ongoing use of tanning beds can increase the risk to as high as 75%. 

4.    Besides using sunscreen, what are three things people can do to protect themselves from over exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays? Answer: Wear sun-protective clothing with a built-in UPF factor; UPF clothing is available in stores on online at reasonable prices; Wear hats with wide brims (hair does not protect your scalp from UV rays. Incidence of skin cancer and melanoma of the head and neck is on the rise and wide brimmed hats can help protect your scalp, face and neck;) Spend time in the shade as opposed to in direct sunlight–if you’re on a run or if you’re cycling, find a shadier path, wear sun-protective clothing or, go out before or after peak hours of 10am to 4pm.  

EVENT: Outrun the Sun Race Against Melanoma & Sunset Festival
Date: Saturday, June 2; 6:00 PM (on-site registration begins at 4:30pm)
Location: Lawton Loop/Fort Harrison State Park
Proceeds benefit Outrun the Sun’s skin cancer education and melanoma research programs. 
Event includes: 5-mile timed run, 5K run/walk, 1-mile walk; Kids’ Zone, Live band, Food Trucks, Sun King Brewery Beer Tent; Chateau Thomas Winery Wine Tent
Online registration is available until noon on Friday; On-site registration is available on race day beginning at 4:30 PM.
Register or donate at: www.outrunthesun.org
NOTE: Outrun the Sun (OTS) is the only nonprofit organization in Indiana dedicated to supporting skin cancer education and melanoma research. OTS was founded in Indianapolis.