Current estimates are that one in five Americans will
develop skin cancer. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all
skin cancers, including melanoma. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here are a few tips to help prevent skin cancer:
- Seek shade when appropriate. Remember
that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your
shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.
- Wear protective clothing, such as
a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where
possible.
- Generously apply a broad-spectrum,
water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30
or more which contains zinc oxide to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum”
provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB)
rays. Reapply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days, and
after swimming or sweating.
- Don’t
forget to protect your lips. Wearing a lip balm containing SPF reduces
sun damage to the lips.
- Use extra caution near water, snow, and
sand because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of
the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.
- Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product or spray, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
These key tips can help you to significantly reduce the chances
of developing skin cancer. You should also be aware of the signs of skin cancer
so you can act quickly and see a doctor who can help to stop the cancer before
it worsens. See a dermatologist if you spot anything changing, itching, or
bleeding.
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