5 Simple Tips for Skin Cancer Prevention

Cancer is a scary thing. It seems that everyone has known someone who has been personally affected. Unfortunately, over 39% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime.

The best thing anyone can do for themselves is to invest in cancer prevention. This is especially true for skin cancer since this cancer can be caused specifically by prolonged exposure to the sun. The best way to prevent this disease is to take some measures to cut down on sun exposure. Here are some prevention guidelines to follow, not just in the summer, but all year round.

Apply Sunscreen

This can seem obvious for some, but many people forget to put on sunscreen on cloudy days simply because they don’t see the sun. The sun’s harmful rays can still affect you despite the cloud coverage. Make it a habit to put on sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or more every single day, no matter the weather.

The sun’s rays reflect off of surfaces like sand and snow. You should be cautious for too much sun exposure when active in these conditions. Sunscreen needs to be applied liberally and every few hours to exposed skin surfaces. Do not forget to protect your eyes when you are enjoying a day at the beach or playing in the snow.

Apply Enough Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen is not enough — you have to apply a specific amount to get ample coverage. You should use one ounce for your entire body, which is about the size of your palm.

Take a Vitamin D Supplement

There are ways you can get an adequate supply of vitamin D without the sun exposure. Take a supplement, a vitamin, or eat vitamin D-rich foods such as oranges and cheese.

Regularly Conduct a Mole Check

Moles can pop up out of nowhere and can be a tell-tale sign of melanoma. When checking your body, make sure to look for moles that are raised, have an irregular border, grow in size, and are multiple colors. The minute you see a mole that raises concern, head to a doctor right away.

Our physicians are here to help you by providing information on protecting yourself from prolonged sun exposure to different cancer treatment options if you are diagnosed. Call us if you have any questions when it comes to the sun.