STAND BY AND PROTECT YOUR MAN

06-21-12 | Posted by Dorene Kaplan

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When it comes to sun protection, men woefully lag behind women, according to a recent survey sponsored by The Skin Cancer Foundation in partnership with Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen brands.

Nearly half – 49% – of the men in the U.S. admit to not using sunscreen in the past 12 months, while only 29% of women haven’t, the survey revealed. And when it comes to skin cancer warnings, don’t rely on your man to help you out. An alarming 70% of men don’t even know the signs, according to the poll.

In part, men’s lack of interest in sun protection derives from their misconception that woman are more sensitive to UV radiation then men and therefore need more sunscreen. This couldn’t be farther from the truth; in fact, men over the age of 50 are more than twice as likely as women to develop melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – and actually die from it, explained Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, a spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “Reports show that 58 percent of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed this year will be men versus 42 percent in women,” he stated.

Sun Facts Men Don’t Know

The survey also revealed that:

• 79% of male sunscreen users don’t know that the recommended amount per application is 1 ounce.
• 61% mistakenly think that one sunscreen application lasts for at least 4 hours, rather than the accepted 2 hours.
• 70% of men admitted they don’t know how to perform a skin cancer self-exam or what to look for.
• 57% of respondents are unlikely to get a professional skin exam.
• Only 26% of men realize that the chest and back are the most common places for men to develop melanoma.

“The survey results confirm what I see in my practice every day – men just aren’t incorporating sun protection into their lives, “stated Dr. Zeichner.

The Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic brands want to help you update the men in your live on sun safety and skin cancer prevention. Simply guide your guy to the sun certification quiz on www.facebook.com/bananaboatbrand and www.facebook.com/hawaiiantropic for a simple and fun lesson.