Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Saturday Morning News

Weekend House Call: Sun and Skin Cancer

Aired June 07, 2003 - 08:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Today on Weekend House Call, we are talking about the sun and your skin. Skin cancer cases are on the rise and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a really important issue. It's one of the few cancers where we know the cause, a simple cause, over exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Still, as the summer heats up, millions of people plan to work and play outdoors and disregard the dangers of the sun.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (voice-over): It's almost summer. That means sun, surf, sand and sunscreen. Americans will spend about a billion dollars on sunscreen products this year. But do you really know what kind of sunscreen will protect you and do you use it consistently?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I use sunscreen occasionally, occasionally. I'm not using any today because I don't have it with me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now I don't have any sunscreen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I use it very rarely, but I'm always outside. I know I should be concerned about it.

GUPTA: Dermatologists are concerned. Skin cancer cases are up and studies show sunscreen usage is down. It dropped from 54 percent in 1996 to 40 percent this year.

So what should you do to protect yourself?

Always use sunscreen when you go outdoors, specifically one that's labeled broad spectrum. That means you'll be protected from both the UVV and UVA rays. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Try to stay out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Always wear tight knit, protective clothing such as a shirt while at the beach or pool. Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses and seek out the shade whenever possible.

Doctors believe one reason skin cancer rates are rising is that sunscreen users have a false sense of security. They always assume they're adequately protected. Dermatologists remind sunbathers there's no such thing as a safe tan. Just because you're wearing sunscreen doesn't mean you can stay in the sun longer. You're reducing the risk, but the risk is always there. (END VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA: The sun does look nice, but there's a lot of danger out there and you see the dangers and the health risks are far more than skin deep. So here's how you can tell if you have a higher risk of skin cancer. If you have fair skin, you need to be especially careful. Chronic exposure to the sun also puts you at risk. If you have had severe burns as a child, you should be concerned. In fact, one blistering sunburn during childhood doubles the risk of melanoma. That's the most deadly type of skin cancer.

Other risk factors, multiple or atypical moles or a family history of skin cancer. Also, you need to be more cautious if your skin burns or freckles easily.

We'd like to hear your questions about sunscreens, skin cancer and sun safety. Please call now. The number, 800-807-2620. International charges may apply for our overseas callers. You can also e-mail us at housecall@cnn.com.

We have a guest to help answer these questions. There are a lot of questions already coming in.

Dr. Daryl Rigel, a well known dermatologist, joins us now from New York to help answer our questions.

First of all, thank you very much for joining us this Saturday morning.

DR. DARYL RIGEL, DERMATOLOGIST: Oh, it's my pleasure to be here, Sanjay.

GUPTA: Yes.

We've got a lot of questions coming in, a lot of e-mails, and then we'll take some phone calls, as well.

But let's start with this e-mail question. This comes from Erin in Syracuse, New York, who writes, "Two years ago, my mom was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma skin cancer. I have fair skin," this is Erin talking, "and I burn but I do not tan. Is there any such thing as a safe tan?"

Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, the bottom line is there is no such thing as a safe tan. You have to realize why you're getting tanned. Your body is being hit by the ultraviolet rays of the sun and when the skin is hit with the ultraviolet rays, it produces the pigment in the tan, the melanin that gives you the dark color of the tan. So in order to get tanned, you have to really be injured first.

COLLINS: We also have a phone call coming in, Dr. Rigel. This is Elise in New Lenox (ph), Illinois.

Elise, good morning to you. What's your question?

ELISE: Good morning. And good morning to you, Dr. Rigel.

RIGEL: Good morning.

ELISE: My question is my daughter is 17 years old, medium skin, loves a tan and is a lifeguard. So, she's going to be working about 40 to 50 hours a week in the sun. What sunscreen should she use to protect her skin and still allow her to tan?

COLLINS: That's a great question. A lot of people are going to be out there enjoying the pool and the people who are keeping us safe are sitting there for a very long time.

RIGEL: Well, that's true. It is a wonderful question. And it's particularly important because what we've found is that the sun you get as a teenager in particular increases your risk of developing skin cancer later in life. So, it's important that she wear a sunscreen, at least an SPF 15 or higher. If she can put a hat on while she's being a lifeguard, that would help, too. But basically try to protect herself as much as she can, try not to get sunburned.

COLLINS: We have another phone call coming in. This is John. He is in Walker, Minnesota, where you'd think the sun never shone there, but I know differently, John.

JOHN: Yes.

COLLINS: What's your question for us this morning?

JOHN: We've got bright sunshine up here.

COLLINS: Good for you.

JOHN: Most of the time. But my question is that the experts tell us that skin cancer results from exposure to the sun while we're young, particularly sunburn. Then the question is why do senior citizens need to be cautious about exposure?

RIGEL: Well, that's also a great question because most of the early studies have shown that the sun you get prior to the age of 18 most increases your risk for skin cancer later in life because there is at least a 10 to 20 year delay from the time you do the damage until you see the damage.

But recent studies have shown that, in fact, the sun you get later in life also puts you at risk. So it's kind of like cigarette smoking, it always pays to start protecting yourself from the sun.

GUPTA: All right, these calls just keep roiling in. We have another caller, Dr. Rigel, Suzanne from Michigan. Go ahead.

SUZANNE: Hi. I'm concerned that both of my parents had skin cancer removed, you know, the -- off of their faces. And I just wondered, is it inherited? RIGEL: Well, in fact, your risk for skin cancer does go up if you have family members who have had skin cancer, probably anywhere from five to tenfold over the general population. So that's an important factor. But also remember anybody can get skin cancer. Even the darkest skinned individual can get skin cancer. It's just a matter of what your risk is. The fairer you are the more likely you sunburn, the harder it is for you to tan. If you have a family history, that only increases your risk. But anybody can get it.

COLLINS: All right, some great information so far this morning, Dr. Rigel.

We do appreciate it.

We are going to take a quick break right now, though.

When we come back, the truth about tanning beds. They[re popular, but are they safe? And do frequent trips to the tanning spa help you avoid a burn on the beach?

The answer to that, when we come back.

We'll also take more of your calls. Dial the number that you see on your screen, 800-807-2620, to get in on the conversation. Or you can always send us an e-mail. That's at housecall@cnn.com.

Back in a moment.

COMMERCIAL

COLLINS: We are in the thick of it, summer, that is. And everybody's getting anxious to get out in the wonderful summer sun. So that is what we're talking about today. But we do need to talk about summer sun safety and skin cancer. That's today's topic on Weekend House Call. If you have a question, please, give us a call. The number is 800-807-2620. You can always e-mail us, as well, housecall@cnn.com.

GUPTA: Yes, we're going to get to those calls, we're going to get them all lined up. While we're doing that, let's check our daily dose health quiz.

Today's question, how much skin cancer should you use and how early should you apply it before you go outdoors?

We'll have that answer in 30 seconds.

COMMERCIAL

GUPTA: All right, let's check our daily dose health quiz.

How much skin cancer should you use and how early should you apply it?

The answer, about 20 minutes before you go outside. It takes a while for the ingredients to start working. You should use an ounce of skin cancer per application. That's enough, incidentally, to fill a shot glass. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most people don't apply enough skin cancer to afford any real protection. People of all skin colors should wear skin cancer and if you -- and you should apply it wherever there is exposed skin. Reapply also every two hours or if you've been swimming or sweating.

Here are some of the quick pointers for choosing a sunscreen. Try to choose one with an SPF greater than 15. Find a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure it's water resistant and check for an expiration date. The FDA requires all sunscreens to be stable at their original strength for at least three years.

We have a few good questions about sunscreen. Let's take our first one. That comes from Joanne in New Boston, Ohio. She asks, "When using both an insect repellant and a sunscreen, which you have to do a lot here in the South, which one do you put on first?"

Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, that also is a good question, because there are some studies that had shown several years ago that the insect repellant actually broke down some of the sunscreen chemicals and therefore you weren't getting the protection you thought you were getting. But most of the newer sunscreens don't have that problem. I would tell you to probably put the insect repellant on first, because that evaporates away a little bit, and then rub in the sunscreen. You probably maximize the benefits that way from both of them.

COLLINS: Dr. Rigel, we have another question coming in from John in Denver, Colorado, my favorite mile high city. But, John, you're awfully close to the sun there, aren't you?

JOHN: Yes, Heidi, I am.

COLLINS: What's your question this morning?

JOHN: Well, I mean all skin individual who takes medication that makes my skin more sensitive to the sun. So I was wondering, does that also increase my cancer rate?

COLLINS: Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, yes, actually it does. There are some medications, the most common are some of the antibiotics like tetracyclines and some of the anti-hypertensives, diuretics that can cause you, when you're out in the sun, people that don't normally sunburn can get very sunburned. So the reality is if you're on those medications, it's particularly important that you protect yourself from the sun, especially in a city like Denver, which has one of the highest ultraviolet rates in the country because of the altitude as well as the number of sunny days that you get.

GUPTA: Yes, and there's all sorts of different medications. There's certain antibiotics, all sorts of different things that can make you more sensitive to the sun. A lot, so many questions coming in. This is interesting. Ashley from Houston asking now about tanning beds, going to a tanning booth once or twice a year, is that bad for your skin, infrequent tanning use?

Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, as we heard before, there's no such thing as a safe tan. And I think that some people think that we dermatologists just aren't fun people and don't like to spend time outdoors. Well, we do, but unfortunately we see the results every day of too much sun exposure in terms of people getting skin cancer. However, going to a tanning bed, you're not even getting the benefits, the health benefits of being outdoors. All you're doing is cooking your skin. And really it's a time bomb. It takes 10 to 20 years from the time you do the damage till you see it. So you walk out of the tanning salon, you're tanned, you think you look good. All you've done is planted the seeds of that time bomb. Even one exposure increases your risk later in life.

COLLINS: So, Dr. Rigel, I have a question for you. If you do go out in the sun and you're putting on your sun tanning lotion and you look down and you've made sure that the SPF is at least 15, the thing that confuses me I've seen on the market SPF 30, SPF 50, SPF 80. I mean these numbers seem to just go way, way up.

Is that, at some point, completely ineffective?

RIGEL: Well, it is to some extent. First of all, I have to correct you. You know, sun tanning lotion isn't p.c. It's sunscreen or sun block.

COLLINS: OK, point well taken.

RIGEL: But beyond that, what happens is once you get above SPF 30 or so, it doesn't take very much increase in protection to make that SPF number go way up. We actually refer to that as SPF inflation. But basically what you have to do is if you use a 15 or if you're very fair skinned in the South and you use a 30, you should be protected. Beyond that, the real advantage is if you skimp on the sunscreen, you'll still get the lower rated protection. So if you use a 50 but kind of skimp on it, you'll be getting a 15 or a 30. That's really the only advantage to the higher ones.

COLLINS: OK, very good.

Dr. Rigel, we appreciate your advice this morning.

We want to let you know what's coming up next.

Some tips for children and sun safety when Weekend House Call returns.

Give us a call, though, with your questions, 800-807-2620 or e- mail us at housecall@cnn.com.

COMMERCIAL

COLLINS: Here are some sun safety tips now for children. Babies under six months should spend very little time in the sun. If you must take the baby outside, though, make sure to cover him or her up with a hat and those cute little baby sunglasses. You can't resist those anyway, right?

For children over six months, definitely use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher, and a hat and sunglasses, too, and make sure you put your child in light clothing.

GUPTA: Some good advice for little Reilly, eh?

COLLINS: Yes.

GUPTA: Yes. If you do get a sunburn, here are some ways to tell what degree burn you have and how to treat it. A first degree burn causes redness and will heal within a few days. The best treatment for that, a cool bath. Apply over the counter hydrocortisone, that's a steroid cream, and take aspiring to lessen the development of the sunburn.

If you have a second degree sunburn you can tell by the blisters you're going to see on your skin. You may also get headaches, chills and fever, and if the burn is severe, certainly seek medical attention and protect the skin from the sun while it's healing.

COLLINS: All right, we have a caller on the line now. Nancy is with us, calling from right here in Georgia.

Hi, Nancy.

NANCY: Hi, there.

COLLINS: What's your question this morning?

NANCY: My question is the fragrance in all sun blocks and self- tanners triggers a migraine headache in me.

COLLINS: Wow.

NANCY: And I wanted to know if there is a sunscreen product on the market that is completely fragrance free?

RIGEL: Well, that also is a good question, because the usual question that I hear is the fragrance attracts insects in the summertime. But what's interesting with sunscreens, the most common reaction you get from a sunscreen is not from the sunscreen chemical itself, but it's typically from the fragrance. So there are some that are fragrance free out there. I will tell you to look on the label and they'll say fragrance free. But there are a number of them and I think you're good choosing those.

GUPTA: That's really good advice. I get migraine headaches, as well, and maybe getting a fragrance free sunscreen would help.

A lot of calls coming in. Nancy from Georgia, please, go ahead.

NANCY: Good morning. I'm in my late 50s and have started getting sun poisoning. What's the difference between sun poisoning and -- I know the difference with the blisters and the sunburn, but is that a precursor to skin cancer?

RIGEL: Actually, it's not. There's really no true thing as sun poisoning medically. But what it probably is is a significant allergic reaction to the sunscreen itself. And what it's called is a photo reaction so that you put the sunscreen on and nothing happens but, in fact, if you then go out in the sun, the ultraviolet rays hitting the chemical convert it something you're allergic to and you get red marks and hives and all sorts of reactions to it.

What I would do is try to get a different ingredient. About one percent of the population does get that type of reaction, not to that degree, from most of the current sunscreens. So try to pick a different one. The most common agent is benzophenone, which is oxybenzone, listed on the sunscreens. Try to get one that doesn't have oxybenzone or to use a sun block, the titanium or the zinc dioxide, which does not go into the skin.

GUPTA: All right, no oxybenzone. Note to self.

Another e-mail question, David from Fairhope, Alabama writes, "I grew up on the Gulf of Mexico. No skin cancer as of yet, but I have suffered numerous sunburns throughout my life." He's curious if there's anything he can or should be doing now to stave off the future rogue cells.

RIGEL: Well, the sad thing is there's no way to undo what you've done in the past so that if you got of sun as a child, again, there is that time delay of 10 to 20 years from the time you get the sun till you see the skin cancer. So the odds are you're at pretty high risk for later on.

But in the future, the best thing you can do is still protect yourself. Wear the sunscreen, wear the hat, all those things will lower your subsequent risks later in life.

GUPTA: OK, Dr. Rigel, thank you very much.

You and I are going to have some final thoughts on all this afterwards. It's a very preventable cancer, unfortunately a very common cancer.

Stay with us on Weekend House Call.

COMMERCIAL

GUPTA: All right, we've been watching Weekend House Call. Dr. Daryl Rigel has been our guest from Manhattan. He's a dermatologist.

A quick final thought on today's show, Dr. Rigel.

RIGEL: Well, we as dermatologists are so frustrated because here's a cancer where we know what the cause is, we know that a single behavioral change, just stopping going out in the sun so much, protecting yourself from the sun, lowers your risk, yet despite that, one American every hour dies of skin cancer. And this is so frustrating to us. What I would advise everybody to do is protect yourself from the sun. Don't just bake for baking's sake. Don't go to a tanning salon. All those things really lower your chance later in life of being one of the one million Americans this year alone who will get skin cancer.

GUPTA: Thank you very much for joining us on a Saturday morning. Very good advice. Yes, one in five Americans will get skin cancer this year. Those are startling numbers. It's more than all other cancers combined. If you're wondering how much, fill a shot glass full of sunscreen and cover your entire body. That's what you need to do. Tans may be a sign of leisure and of health, but as we've heard from Dr. Rigel, they're anything but that.

That's all the time we have for today for Weekend House Call.

Please be sure to join us tomorrow when we talk about the newest breakthroughs in fighting cancer. Lots of new information here. There's news on lung, breast and colon cancer treatments. You're not going to want to miss that. That's tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., 5:30 Pacific.

I'm Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Thanks for watching Weekend House Call.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired June 7, 2003 - 08:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Today on Weekend House Call, we are talking about the sun and your skin. Skin cancer cases are on the rise and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a really important issue. It's one of the few cancers where we know the cause, a simple cause, over exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Still, as the summer heats up, millions of people plan to work and play outdoors and disregard the dangers of the sun.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (voice-over): It's almost summer. That means sun, surf, sand and sunscreen. Americans will spend about a billion dollars on sunscreen products this year. But do you really know what kind of sunscreen will protect you and do you use it consistently?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I use sunscreen occasionally, occasionally. I'm not using any today because I don't have it with me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now I don't have any sunscreen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I use it very rarely, but I'm always outside. I know I should be concerned about it.

GUPTA: Dermatologists are concerned. Skin cancer cases are up and studies show sunscreen usage is down. It dropped from 54 percent in 1996 to 40 percent this year.

So what should you do to protect yourself?

Always use sunscreen when you go outdoors, specifically one that's labeled broad spectrum. That means you'll be protected from both the UVV and UVA rays. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Try to stay out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Always wear tight knit, protective clothing such as a shirt while at the beach or pool. Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses and seek out the shade whenever possible.

Doctors believe one reason skin cancer rates are rising is that sunscreen users have a false sense of security. They always assume they're adequately protected. Dermatologists remind sunbathers there's no such thing as a safe tan. Just because you're wearing sunscreen doesn't mean you can stay in the sun longer. You're reducing the risk, but the risk is always there. (END VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA: The sun does look nice, but there's a lot of danger out there and you see the dangers and the health risks are far more than skin deep. So here's how you can tell if you have a higher risk of skin cancer. If you have fair skin, you need to be especially careful. Chronic exposure to the sun also puts you at risk. If you have had severe burns as a child, you should be concerned. In fact, one blistering sunburn during childhood doubles the risk of melanoma. That's the most deadly type of skin cancer.

Other risk factors, multiple or atypical moles or a family history of skin cancer. Also, you need to be more cautious if your skin burns or freckles easily.

We'd like to hear your questions about sunscreens, skin cancer and sun safety. Please call now. The number, 800-807-2620. International charges may apply for our overseas callers. You can also e-mail us at housecall@cnn.com.

We have a guest to help answer these questions. There are a lot of questions already coming in.

Dr. Daryl Rigel, a well known dermatologist, joins us now from New York to help answer our questions.

First of all, thank you very much for joining us this Saturday morning.

DR. DARYL RIGEL, DERMATOLOGIST: Oh, it's my pleasure to be here, Sanjay.

GUPTA: Yes.

We've got a lot of questions coming in, a lot of e-mails, and then we'll take some phone calls, as well.

But let's start with this e-mail question. This comes from Erin in Syracuse, New York, who writes, "Two years ago, my mom was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma skin cancer. I have fair skin," this is Erin talking, "and I burn but I do not tan. Is there any such thing as a safe tan?"

Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, the bottom line is there is no such thing as a safe tan. You have to realize why you're getting tanned. Your body is being hit by the ultraviolet rays of the sun and when the skin is hit with the ultraviolet rays, it produces the pigment in the tan, the melanin that gives you the dark color of the tan. So in order to get tanned, you have to really be injured first.

COLLINS: We also have a phone call coming in, Dr. Rigel. This is Elise in New Lenox (ph), Illinois.

Elise, good morning to you. What's your question?

ELISE: Good morning. And good morning to you, Dr. Rigel.

RIGEL: Good morning.

ELISE: My question is my daughter is 17 years old, medium skin, loves a tan and is a lifeguard. So, she's going to be working about 40 to 50 hours a week in the sun. What sunscreen should she use to protect her skin and still allow her to tan?

COLLINS: That's a great question. A lot of people are going to be out there enjoying the pool and the people who are keeping us safe are sitting there for a very long time.

RIGEL: Well, that's true. It is a wonderful question. And it's particularly important because what we've found is that the sun you get as a teenager in particular increases your risk of developing skin cancer later in life. So, it's important that she wear a sunscreen, at least an SPF 15 or higher. If she can put a hat on while she's being a lifeguard, that would help, too. But basically try to protect herself as much as she can, try not to get sunburned.

COLLINS: We have another phone call coming in. This is John. He is in Walker, Minnesota, where you'd think the sun never shone there, but I know differently, John.

JOHN: Yes.

COLLINS: What's your question for us this morning?

JOHN: We've got bright sunshine up here.

COLLINS: Good for you.

JOHN: Most of the time. But my question is that the experts tell us that skin cancer results from exposure to the sun while we're young, particularly sunburn. Then the question is why do senior citizens need to be cautious about exposure?

RIGEL: Well, that's also a great question because most of the early studies have shown that the sun you get prior to the age of 18 most increases your risk for skin cancer later in life because there is at least a 10 to 20 year delay from the time you do the damage until you see the damage.

But recent studies have shown that, in fact, the sun you get later in life also puts you at risk. So it's kind of like cigarette smoking, it always pays to start protecting yourself from the sun.

GUPTA: All right, these calls just keep roiling in. We have another caller, Dr. Rigel, Suzanne from Michigan. Go ahead.

SUZANNE: Hi. I'm concerned that both of my parents had skin cancer removed, you know, the -- off of their faces. And I just wondered, is it inherited? RIGEL: Well, in fact, your risk for skin cancer does go up if you have family members who have had skin cancer, probably anywhere from five to tenfold over the general population. So that's an important factor. But also remember anybody can get skin cancer. Even the darkest skinned individual can get skin cancer. It's just a matter of what your risk is. The fairer you are the more likely you sunburn, the harder it is for you to tan. If you have a family history, that only increases your risk. But anybody can get it.

COLLINS: All right, some great information so far this morning, Dr. Rigel.

We do appreciate it.

We are going to take a quick break right now, though.

When we come back, the truth about tanning beds. They[re popular, but are they safe? And do frequent trips to the tanning spa help you avoid a burn on the beach?

The answer to that, when we come back.

We'll also take more of your calls. Dial the number that you see on your screen, 800-807-2620, to get in on the conversation. Or you can always send us an e-mail. That's at housecall@cnn.com.

Back in a moment.

COMMERCIAL

COLLINS: We are in the thick of it, summer, that is. And everybody's getting anxious to get out in the wonderful summer sun. So that is what we're talking about today. But we do need to talk about summer sun safety and skin cancer. That's today's topic on Weekend House Call. If you have a question, please, give us a call. The number is 800-807-2620. You can always e-mail us, as well, housecall@cnn.com.

GUPTA: Yes, we're going to get to those calls, we're going to get them all lined up. While we're doing that, let's check our daily dose health quiz.

Today's question, how much skin cancer should you use and how early should you apply it before you go outdoors?

We'll have that answer in 30 seconds.

COMMERCIAL

GUPTA: All right, let's check our daily dose health quiz.

How much skin cancer should you use and how early should you apply it?

The answer, about 20 minutes before you go outside. It takes a while for the ingredients to start working. You should use an ounce of skin cancer per application. That's enough, incidentally, to fill a shot glass. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most people don't apply enough skin cancer to afford any real protection. People of all skin colors should wear skin cancer and if you -- and you should apply it wherever there is exposed skin. Reapply also every two hours or if you've been swimming or sweating.

Here are some of the quick pointers for choosing a sunscreen. Try to choose one with an SPF greater than 15. Find a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure it's water resistant and check for an expiration date. The FDA requires all sunscreens to be stable at their original strength for at least three years.

We have a few good questions about sunscreen. Let's take our first one. That comes from Joanne in New Boston, Ohio. She asks, "When using both an insect repellant and a sunscreen, which you have to do a lot here in the South, which one do you put on first?"

Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, that also is a good question, because there are some studies that had shown several years ago that the insect repellant actually broke down some of the sunscreen chemicals and therefore you weren't getting the protection you thought you were getting. But most of the newer sunscreens don't have that problem. I would tell you to probably put the insect repellant on first, because that evaporates away a little bit, and then rub in the sunscreen. You probably maximize the benefits that way from both of them.

COLLINS: Dr. Rigel, we have another question coming in from John in Denver, Colorado, my favorite mile high city. But, John, you're awfully close to the sun there, aren't you?

JOHN: Yes, Heidi, I am.

COLLINS: What's your question this morning?

JOHN: Well, I mean all skin individual who takes medication that makes my skin more sensitive to the sun. So I was wondering, does that also increase my cancer rate?

COLLINS: Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, yes, actually it does. There are some medications, the most common are some of the antibiotics like tetracyclines and some of the anti-hypertensives, diuretics that can cause you, when you're out in the sun, people that don't normally sunburn can get very sunburned. So the reality is if you're on those medications, it's particularly important that you protect yourself from the sun, especially in a city like Denver, which has one of the highest ultraviolet rates in the country because of the altitude as well as the number of sunny days that you get.

GUPTA: Yes, and there's all sorts of different medications. There's certain antibiotics, all sorts of different things that can make you more sensitive to the sun. A lot, so many questions coming in. This is interesting. Ashley from Houston asking now about tanning beds, going to a tanning booth once or twice a year, is that bad for your skin, infrequent tanning use?

Dr. Rigel?

RIGEL: Well, as we heard before, there's no such thing as a safe tan. And I think that some people think that we dermatologists just aren't fun people and don't like to spend time outdoors. Well, we do, but unfortunately we see the results every day of too much sun exposure in terms of people getting skin cancer. However, going to a tanning bed, you're not even getting the benefits, the health benefits of being outdoors. All you're doing is cooking your skin. And really it's a time bomb. It takes 10 to 20 years from the time you do the damage till you see it. So you walk out of the tanning salon, you're tanned, you think you look good. All you've done is planted the seeds of that time bomb. Even one exposure increases your risk later in life.

COLLINS: So, Dr. Rigel, I have a question for you. If you do go out in the sun and you're putting on your sun tanning lotion and you look down and you've made sure that the SPF is at least 15, the thing that confuses me I've seen on the market SPF 30, SPF 50, SPF 80. I mean these numbers seem to just go way, way up.

Is that, at some point, completely ineffective?

RIGEL: Well, it is to some extent. First of all, I have to correct you. You know, sun tanning lotion isn't p.c. It's sunscreen or sun block.

COLLINS: OK, point well taken.

RIGEL: But beyond that, what happens is once you get above SPF 30 or so, it doesn't take very much increase in protection to make that SPF number go way up. We actually refer to that as SPF inflation. But basically what you have to do is if you use a 15 or if you're very fair skinned in the South and you use a 30, you should be protected. Beyond that, the real advantage is if you skimp on the sunscreen, you'll still get the lower rated protection. So if you use a 50 but kind of skimp on it, you'll be getting a 15 or a 30. That's really the only advantage to the higher ones.

COLLINS: OK, very good.

Dr. Rigel, we appreciate your advice this morning.

We want to let you know what's coming up next.

Some tips for children and sun safety when Weekend House Call returns.

Give us a call, though, with your questions, 800-807-2620 or e- mail us at housecall@cnn.com.

COMMERCIAL

COLLINS: Here are some sun safety tips now for children. Babies under six months should spend very little time in the sun. If you must take the baby outside, though, make sure to cover him or her up with a hat and those cute little baby sunglasses. You can't resist those anyway, right?

For children over six months, definitely use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher, and a hat and sunglasses, too, and make sure you put your child in light clothing.

GUPTA: Some good advice for little Reilly, eh?

COLLINS: Yes.

GUPTA: Yes. If you do get a sunburn, here are some ways to tell what degree burn you have and how to treat it. A first degree burn causes redness and will heal within a few days. The best treatment for that, a cool bath. Apply over the counter hydrocortisone, that's a steroid cream, and take aspiring to lessen the development of the sunburn.

If you have a second degree sunburn you can tell by the blisters you're going to see on your skin. You may also get headaches, chills and fever, and if the burn is severe, certainly seek medical attention and protect the skin from the sun while it's healing.

COLLINS: All right, we have a caller on the line now. Nancy is with us, calling from right here in Georgia.

Hi, Nancy.

NANCY: Hi, there.

COLLINS: What's your question this morning?

NANCY: My question is the fragrance in all sun blocks and self- tanners triggers a migraine headache in me.

COLLINS: Wow.

NANCY: And I wanted to know if there is a sunscreen product on the market that is completely fragrance free?

RIGEL: Well, that also is a good question, because the usual question that I hear is the fragrance attracts insects in the summertime. But what's interesting with sunscreens, the most common reaction you get from a sunscreen is not from the sunscreen chemical itself, but it's typically from the fragrance. So there are some that are fragrance free out there. I will tell you to look on the label and they'll say fragrance free. But there are a number of them and I think you're good choosing those.

GUPTA: That's really good advice. I get migraine headaches, as well, and maybe getting a fragrance free sunscreen would help.

A lot of calls coming in. Nancy from Georgia, please, go ahead.

NANCY: Good morning. I'm in my late 50s and have started getting sun poisoning. What's the difference between sun poisoning and -- I know the difference with the blisters and the sunburn, but is that a precursor to skin cancer?

RIGEL: Actually, it's not. There's really no true thing as sun poisoning medically. But what it probably is is a significant allergic reaction to the sunscreen itself. And what it's called is a photo reaction so that you put the sunscreen on and nothing happens but, in fact, if you then go out in the sun, the ultraviolet rays hitting the chemical convert it something you're allergic to and you get red marks and hives and all sorts of reactions to it.

What I would do is try to get a different ingredient. About one percent of the population does get that type of reaction, not to that degree, from most of the current sunscreens. So try to pick a different one. The most common agent is benzophenone, which is oxybenzone, listed on the sunscreens. Try to get one that doesn't have oxybenzone or to use a sun block, the titanium or the zinc dioxide, which does not go into the skin.

GUPTA: All right, no oxybenzone. Note to self.

Another e-mail question, David from Fairhope, Alabama writes, "I grew up on the Gulf of Mexico. No skin cancer as of yet, but I have suffered numerous sunburns throughout my life." He's curious if there's anything he can or should be doing now to stave off the future rogue cells.

RIGEL: Well, the sad thing is there's no way to undo what you've done in the past so that if you got of sun as a child, again, there is that time delay of 10 to 20 years from the time you get the sun till you see the skin cancer. So the odds are you're at pretty high risk for later on.

But in the future, the best thing you can do is still protect yourself. Wear the sunscreen, wear the hat, all those things will lower your subsequent risks later in life.

GUPTA: OK, Dr. Rigel, thank you very much.

You and I are going to have some final thoughts on all this afterwards. It's a very preventable cancer, unfortunately a very common cancer.

Stay with us on Weekend House Call.

COMMERCIAL

GUPTA: All right, we've been watching Weekend House Call. Dr. Daryl Rigel has been our guest from Manhattan. He's a dermatologist.

A quick final thought on today's show, Dr. Rigel.

RIGEL: Well, we as dermatologists are so frustrated because here's a cancer where we know what the cause is, we know that a single behavioral change, just stopping going out in the sun so much, protecting yourself from the sun, lowers your risk, yet despite that, one American every hour dies of skin cancer. And this is so frustrating to us. What I would advise everybody to do is protect yourself from the sun. Don't just bake for baking's sake. Don't go to a tanning salon. All those things really lower your chance later in life of being one of the one million Americans this year alone who will get skin cancer.

GUPTA: Thank you very much for joining us on a Saturday morning. Very good advice. Yes, one in five Americans will get skin cancer this year. Those are startling numbers. It's more than all other cancers combined. If you're wondering how much, fill a shot glass full of sunscreen and cover your entire body. That's what you need to do. Tans may be a sign of leisure and of health, but as we've heard from Dr. Rigel, they're anything but that.

That's all the time we have for today for Weekend House Call.

Please be sure to join us tomorrow when we talk about the newest breakthroughs in fighting cancer. Lots of new information here. There's news on lung, breast and colon cancer treatments. You're not going to want to miss that. That's tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., 5:30 Pacific.

I'm Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Thanks for watching Weekend House Call.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com