5 Skin Cancer Preventative Tips

Between exposure to LED lamps at the nail salon, and once thought to be harmless tanning, skin cancer is on the rise now more than ever. For thosse who have been diagnosed, or are looking to minimize their risk, keep on reading for useful skin cancer preventative tips.

1. Avoid Tanning & UV Tanning Beds

While avoiding tanning beds and tanning in general seems like a very obvious, preventative step, these methods are still very common in the United States. According to USA Today, “The Food and Drug Administration estimates that about 30 million Americans use indoor tanning beds each year, including 2.3 million teens.”

Indoor tanning methods alone have played a major role in the escalation of skin cancer cases. The severity of UV exposure is arguably not emphasized as much as it should be when considering the elevation of tanning bed usage in recent decades.

UV exposure is not strictly limited to tanning beds, which is why it is crucial to take precautions when exposed to the sun and other forms of lighting.

2. Shade & Cover

Keep yourself covered and out of the sun as much as possible, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM according to skincancer.org. These hours are when the sun is most prominent, and therefore when sun exposure is the most harmful towards the skin.

While being out in the sun can feel good, the long term effects can be damaging, and potentially fatal, so if you choose to go out on a sunny day, take other crucial precautions while outside.

3. UVA/UVB Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an obvious solution when exposed to sunlight, however, many who do use the product neglect to apply sunscreen properly. Sunscreen is most effective when 2 tablespoons are applied to the exposed area(s) 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplied as needed.

While it is recommended to use a sun protectant that is a minimum of 15 SPF, (Sun Protection Factor) I personally would recommend higher.

I use Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer SPF 100+ body mist, and I love the product as it protected me from sunburn and skin dryness post-sun exposure on numerous occasions, the application is easy because I do not have to rub it in, and it feels absolutely weightless. I will always recommend this product to anyone in need of a protective, easy to use sun exposure solution.

4. Examine Your Skin

While close to impossible to avoid UV exposure altogether, there are clearly more than enough preventative measures a person can take to avoid possible skin cancer later in life. Sometimes, however, these measures may not be enough, but that does not solidify the worst possible outcome, because early detection is on your side!

According to skincancer.org, preforming monthly head-to-toe examinations in order to detect any new or changing lesions is key.

Should any new or changing abnormalities surface, the first step is to contact your doctor and/or dermatologist so that they may determine the necessary step(s) for treatment.

The Skin Cancer Foundation adds that, “Performed regularly, self examination can alert you to changes in your skin and aid in the early detection of skin cancer. It should be done often enough to become a habit, but not so often as to feel like a bother. For most people, once a month is ideal, but ask your doctor if you should do more frequent checks.”

Learn more about what to look for during a self-examination.

5. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells against free radical effects. As the body continues to function, these free radical molecules are produced and play a role in several diseases, including skin cancer.

Regularly consuming foods rich in certain antioxidants may help strengthen your body’s resistance to disease. Pertaining to skin cancer, the biggest antioxidants that may play a preventative role include beta-carotene, omega 3, vitamins C, D and E, zinc, polyphenols selenium and lycopene.

Green, leafy vegetables, carrots, fish, oranges, blueberries, tomatoes and watermelon are just a few examples of what nutritious sources you can obtain these beneficial antioxidants from in order to strengthen your immune system and prevent numerous diseases like skin cancer.

Ultimately, while common and potentially harmful, skin cancer can be detected and treated promptly and even prevented with some healthful lifestyle choices, so long as one decides to take on a proactive role regarding his or her overall wellbeing.

By making these preemptive choices, you have nothing to lose, and so much to gain, so start caring for your body today!

Learn more about the warnings signs of skin cancer.