6 Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancers, a form of cancer that attacks without prejudice. While skin cancer attacks indiscriminately, there are steps each one of us can take to lessen our risk and prevent skin cancer. Employ these 6 ways to prevent skin cancer so you won't become another victim of it's indiscriminatory attack.

Apply Sunscreen

Use a sunscreen product that has at least an SPF of 30 and look for a product that also contains either micronized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The protective ingredients make the sunscreen 30 times more effective in protecting against the sun's harmful, skin cancer causing rays.

Take A Pill

In addition to applying sunscreen (which many of us are not faithful in doing), take a pill to block skin cancer causing UV rays. Astaxanthin is a red algae extract that prevents skin damage to skin which is exposed to the sun, a pre-cursor to skin cancer. Astaxanthin is available at health food stores and 4 mg. daily is needed to maximum skin cancer protection.

Forget Tanning Beds

Tanning beds, which were once all the rage, can increase the risk of skin cancer three-fold to those still basking it's UVA brightness to develop a tan. Exposure to natural sunlight for the same amount of time is safer 9though far from being safe) than using a tanning bed. Prevent skin cancer by forgetting about tanning beds.

Mustard Helps Prevent Skin Cancer

Eating your favorite brand of mustard every day can help prevent you from developing skin cancer. Mustard's yellow color comes from turmeric, which is packed with plant compounds that block the formation of abnormal cells that frequently become cancerous.

One tablespoon of mustard or 250 mg of turmeric extract can help prevent skin cancer.

Swap Buttered Toast For This -- .

Once a week, swap buttered toast for toast or muffin spread with two tablespoons of marmalade to prevent skin cancer. Eating anti-oxidant rich marmalade made with citrus fruit once a week reduces the risk of squamous-cell skin cancer, which is typically found on the face, ears, neck and hands.

Limit Alcohol

Heavy drinkers (two or more alcoholic drinks each day) damage cell DNA with excessive alcohol consumption. The damaged cells increase the risk of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Limit alcohol consumption and reduce skin cancer risk.

ABC's of Skin Cancer Protection

See your doctor if your discover a mole or freckle with any of these suspicious 'ABC' signs -

Asymmetry - One half does not match the other in size, shape or color.

Border irregularity -Edges are ragged, notched or blurred.

Color - Mole or freckle that is not the same color throughout.

Diameter - Mole or freckle larger than the size of a pencil eraser.