How to Prevent Skin Cancer

For those who have been diagnosed with cancer, then they know that it's truly a terrible disease and wish they could have done something to prevent it from happening. While most cancers are caused by an alter to one's DNA stemming from factors such as smoking or a polluted environment, some are caused by external issues like overexposure to the sun. However, the skin cancer that results from overexposure is highly preventable. In fact, most cases of skin cancer are preventable and you can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer by following just a few simple steps.

Skin is the largest organ in your body, and it protects you from potential problems caused by the effects of dehydration, the sun, bacteria, and pollution. There are limits, however, to the skin's ability to protect and these other factors are the ones that cause damage that could lead to skin cancer. Use these following steps to lower your risk of skin cancer:

Avoid overexposure at certain times during the day.
As a resident at the coast, it's normal for me to go to the beach during the week and weekend to lay out and get a tan. That's part of the reason earlier this year I had a mole removed because it had grown in size. The extreme UV rays had caused this mole to be in the pre-stages of cancer, and I had a surgery to remove a massive chunk of my stomach to prevent it from spreading anymore. I have now changed my beach routine and I'm taking better care of my body. Part of the way you can do this is by avoiding overexposure to the sun during certain hours if you have chosen to not use protection. I recommend using protection, but if you choose not to, then do not exposure your body to the sun between 11:00-4:00 PM during the summer months.

No tanning bed.
For all of the women reading this, I know this is a downer, but keep in mind you do not want to subject yourself to anything that could be harmful to your body. Tanning lamps are an often cause of skin cancer. If you must, use a tanning lamp periodically throughout the year, and not on a weekly occasion. Choose only to use a tanning lamp for occasions like a wedding or party.

Sit in shaded areas.
If you're in a park or at the beach, provide yourself with enough shade to cover your body. It's normal to be out in the sun, but overexposing your body to the harmful UV rays can damage your skin.

Wear a hat.
A quick, easy, and effective solution is to wear a broad-brimmed hat if you have to spend long periods of time in the sun. This will cut down on the exposure to your face and will keep you cool during this time. I also recommend wearing additional clothing if it's absolutely necessary for you to be out in the sun. I understand that when you're at the beach or pool then you're going to wear a bathing suit, but in instances where you're working out in the yard or playing with your dog, take the time to cover up.

Suntan lotion.
This is the most effective method to preventing skin cancer during the summer season. If you cannot cover up, use a sunscreen lotion with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15. Be sure that your lotion has both UVB and UVA protection. Apply to every part of your exposed skin approximately twenty to forty minutes before going out in the sun. Also, once you've been in the sun for thirty minutes then reapply in those particular areas. Another thing to look out for is if you have been involved in any vigorous activity that could remove the product, such as swimming, toweling, and sweating from playing out in the sun, then you'll need to reapply the product.

Infants and children.
Infants and children are more at risk for skin cancer because of their sensitive skin. You must take all of the precaution I've listed above, as well as some of these other helpful methods. Never let an infant or child play or sleep in the sun, especially in a stroller or carriage. Even if your infant or child is wearing sunscreen, it's a wise idea to bring them in after a long period of time in the sun. Make your children comfortable with the idea of wearing sunscreen lotion. Most children don't understand the concept of cancer and skin protection, but somehow incorporate it into their hygiene. Pay particular attention to the areas that are most exposed such as the face, lips, ears, neck, and lower body.