How to Prevent Skin Cancer

More than 2,000 people die of skin cancer in Australia every year. It’s an extremely serious condition that needs to be treated as carefully as possible. Luckily, when detected early, most types of skin cancers are curable. But obviously, it’s a much better idea to do everything you can to ensure you don’t develop it. But how exactly do you prevent skin cancer? Here are five tips you should be aware of.

Wear sunscreen

Exposure to high levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun increase chances of developing skin cancer. Although most people are aware of this, they still don’t do enough to protect their skin from the sunlight. Obviously, this is something you simply have to do if you want to give your best to prevent this serious condition from developing. It’s recommended that you apply sunscreen every time you go outside, even when it’s cloudy, since UV radiation can filter through the clouds. If exercising or swimming, make sure you reapply it every 20 minutes.

Pass on the sunbathing session

People generally enjoy sunbathing. Having a nice tan sure is nice, but exposing your skin directly to the sun does more harm than good. This is why you might want to consider doing something else than having a sunbathing session. However, with so many beaches in cities such as Sydney and Cairns, you’ll probably find yourself sunbathing from time to time. If you do so, remember that, as mentioned above, wearing sunscreen is an absolute must. Even if you do, it’s still a much better idea to seek shade as much as possible. Sit under an umbrella and consider wearing a hat to protect the skin on your face.

Get an annual check-up

No matter how much you try to prevent skin cancer, you can never be 100 percent sure you haven’t developed it. Early detection is the key to treating skin cancer, which is why it’s a good idea to perform annual check-ups just in case. Visiting a medical centre on an annual basis and keeping track of any skin changes is recommended. These changes are exactly where skin cancer shows up. Sometimes, what seems to be a regular mole or non-healing pimple can actually be a sign of skin cancer. Therefore, find a good Sydney medical centre and have yourself checked every year.

Avoid tanning beds

The radiation from indoor tanning beds can be even stronger than the radiation from the sunlight. This is exactly why the use of indoor tanning beds isn’t recommended. According to experts, these things can cause a skin cell mutation which eventually leads to serious conditions such as skin cancer. The way it works is that these skin cells mutate and start turning into tumours, which are cancerous. It’s also important to mention that every time you use a tanning bed, your skin texture changes as well. This results in premature aging, wrinkles, and age spots. They can even cause some blinding eye diseases.

Wear protective clothing

Since you should do everything you can to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer, you might also want to think about wearing protective clothing. Traditional cotton fibres look like a good solution, but it’s a much better idea to opt for sun protective clothing with an UPF rating of about 50. This is especially the case if you spend plenty of time outside. The good news is, this type of clothing is quite popular and there’s no doubt you’ll be able to find pieces of clothing that are both protective and fashionable. Also, don’t forget about sunglasses, since these things can help you protect from another serious form of cancer—eye cancer.

To sum up

Even though there are no things you can do to completely eliminate the possibility of it, you can still do everything in your power to minimize your chances of developing skin cancer. It’s an important thing to have in mind every time you leave your house, especially if you live in a part of Australia where temperatures tend to get extremely high. Even if you take all protective measurements you can, it’s still a good idea to consider having yourself checked for skin cancer every year.