• Limit sun exposure from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, which is when the sun's rays are the most intense. Schedule any outdoor activities for early or late in the day.
  
  
• Use sunscreen with a solar protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and reapply it often, especially after heavy perspiration or being in the water. Ask the doctor to recommend a sunscreen for sensitive skin, since the sunscreen may further irritate skin that has received radiation therapy.
  
  
• Protect the area of skin being treated. Dark, tightly woven fabrics offer better sun protection than light, thin, and loosely woven materials.
  
  
• Protect your head and ears. If hair has been lost, the exposed skin will burn easily. Wear a hat and consider using a zinc sunblock.
  
  
• Keep surgical scars well-covered. If scars are exposed to the sun, especially newer scars, the sun will eventually darken the scars.

Heat and dehydration. Some side effects of cancer treatment, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea, may cause dehydration and possibly heat exhaustion. Signs of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth; thirst
  
  
• Fatigue and weakness
  
  
• Weak or cramped muscles
  
  
• Dizziness, headaches, or feeling forgetful or confused
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Very dark urine or less frequent urination
  
  
• Swollen, cracked, or dried tongue
  
  
• Sunken eyes that don't tear naturally
  

Ways to prevent dehydration:

• Drink before becoming thirsty. Try to drink at least six to 10 glasses of water every day, and drink even more when outside in the heat.
  
  
• Drink iced fluids, such as ice water, or low-sugar juices, sports drinks, or frozen ice pops, to both quench thirst and cool down.
  
  
• Use ice chips for relief from dry mouth.
  
  
• Eat vegetables and fruits with a high fluid content with meals and as snacks.
  
  
• Avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine (such as coffee, tea, and soda).

Hot flashes. Hot flashes may be a side effect of hormone therapy for people with cancer and can be triggered by hot weather. The following are some suggestions to cool down and manage hot flashes:

• Wear breathable fabrics, such as cotton, linen, and rayon, instead of synthetics.
  
  
• Keep iced beverages on hand throughout the day and night.
  
  
• Lower the thermostat, if possible. Turn on a ceiling fan or use a hand-held, battery-operated fan. A less expensive alternative is to use a manual fan.
  
  
• Take a cool shower before bed to manage hot flashes during the hot summer nights. Wear lightweight clothing to bed.
  
  
• If the doctor says it's okay to exercise, then consider swimming. There's a built-in cooling effect of the water, which keeps your temperature down throughout the workout. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, as they may also trigger hot flashes.

• Lightweight, synthetic wigs are cooler to wear than natural wigs because their open-cap construction allows the head to breathe and heat to escape.
  
  
• Synthetic wigs don't get flat or frizzy in the summer humidity like human hair wigs.
  
  
• Synthetic wigs hold their style, even if they get wet.
  
  
• The fibers in synthetic wigs don't fade or turn different colors with exposure to the sun.
  
  
• Synthetic wigs may be worn with a mesh wig liner that's similar to a fishnet stocking and helps keep your head cool.