Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 3, 2025 St. Paul’s Parish, Malden Celebrates Christmastide W ant to keep Christmas going? Christmastide (also known as the Twelve Days of Christmas) runs from Christmas through January 6, 2025. St. Paul’s Parish (Episcopal), Malden, MA, located at 26 Washington Street, is offering an Epiphany Celebration (with Mass) on Sunday, January 5, at 10:00 AM. The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings, or the Wise Men, at Bethlehem. Coffee hour will include a Three Kings Cake and other goodies! St. Paul’s Parish welcomes people of all faiths and all walks of life. Come and see! RESOLUTION | FROM PAGE 5 Flight Into Egypt (Courtesy photo) 3 Kings (Courtesy photo) line at 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-5864872). Tobacco remains the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S., and here in Massachusetts. E-cigarettes are not a safe or effective way to quit. Many health insurance plans cover quit aids and counseling, and if you are uninsured or need a plan that works better for you, open enrollment through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces is available until January 15, 2025, in most states. More info at Lung.org/openenrollment. 3. Take the Quiz. In the U.S., 14 million people are at high risk for lung cancer and are eligible for lifesaving lung cancer screening. Here in Massachusetts, only 24.2% of residents at high risk for lung cancer are screened for the disease each year. If you smoked, the low-dose CT lung cancer screening test could save your life. Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths, is more treatable when caught early—survival rates increase by more than four times. If you're aged 50-80 and smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, you may be eligible for screening. Take the 2-minute quiz at SavedByTheScan.org. 4. Stay Up-to-Date on Immunizations. Get your COVID-19 and flu shots (and RSV and pneumococcal pneumonia, if eligible). The best way to stay healthy and protect others is to be up-to-date on your recommended immunizations and make sure all of your loved ones – from those aged 6 months to 100+ years – are also current on theirs. 5. Limit Exposure to Air Pollutants. If possible, avoid environments with high levels of air pollution, chemical fumes, secondhand smoke and other lung irritants. It’s also essential to test your home for radon, a leading cause of lung cancer, and take action if levels are elevated. If you have asthma or other lung health concerns, regularly monitor daily air quality forecasts to take precautions against outdoor air pollution. You can check conditions in your area at Airnow.gov. 6. Exercise those LUNGS! The American Lung Association hosts several community events throughout the year with fitness in mind, including a Fight For Air Climb and a LUNG FORCE Walk in Boston. Whether you are a fitness buff, or just getting started - consider registering for one of our events today and start training to create health habits for your lungs in 2025! Learn more about how to protect your lung health in 2025 at Lung. org or call 1-800-LUNGUSA. The Skin Cancer Foundation shares sun protection tips for winter sports enthusiasts What to know about protecting your skin during colder months A s fall turns to winter, we start to experience cooler weather and fewer sunlight hours. It can be tempting to slack off on sun protection when we feel cold, but protecting yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is imperative year-round – especially if you plan to spend time outdoors skiing, snowboarding or engaging in another cold-weather sport. “Frostbite and windburn are common concerns for winter athletes, but people often don’t realize that the sun’s UV rays can be just as damaging on the slopes as they are on the beach,” says The Skin Cancer Foundation President Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD. “The science shows that it’s important to practice proper sun protection all year, even in cold or cloudy weather.” Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which lead to tanning, dark spots and wrinkles, remain constant throughout the year and can penetrate through clouds and fog. Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which are mainly responsible for sunburn, are the strongest in the summer. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin during winter, too, especially if you’re around reflective surfaces, such as snow or ice. Snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light, so the rays hit you twice, further increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Skiers and snowboarders are at an even greater risk because these sports take place at a higher altitude, where the thinner atmosphere absorbs fewer of the sun’s rays. UV radiation exposure increases 4 to 5 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level. In addition to causing premature skin aging, unprotected sun exposure is also a serious risk factor for skin cancer. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86 percent of melanomas are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun, which is why it’s imperative to protect yourself no matter the season. How to protect yourself when enjoying winter sports Your first line of defense against sun damage is clothing. Covering up is easier when it’s cold. However, your face, head and neck tend to remain exposed year-round, and this is where most skin cancers occur. Skiers and snowboarders are ahead of the game when they protect their scalps with a helmet and their eyes with goggles. Almost all goggles available today are made of polycarbonate, which filters out 100 percent of UV rays. For the moments when you’re not actively flying down the slope, don’t forget your UV-blocking sunglasses, which protect your eyes while also fighting snow glare, and a hat to protect your head and hairline. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher daily to all exposed skin and make sure to cover often-missed spots like the tops of your ears, around the eyes and near the hairline. Consider choosing a moisturizing sunscreen with ingredients like lanolin or glycerin to combat dry winter skin. Finally, try to avoid the peak sun hours (generally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the winter months) and seek shade when you can. Winter is approaching, but that’s no reason to let up on the sun-safe habits you practiced during the summer. Continuing sun protection efforts through the colder, cloudier months of the year reduces your risk of premature skin aging and developing the world’s most common cancer. About The Skin Cancer Foundation The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, saves and improves lives by empowering people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Learn more at skincancer.org.
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