ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: JULY 2023
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to the American
Academy of Dermatology. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States
and usually occurs due to cell damage caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Skin cancer is generally preventable, and fortunately, there are several things that can help
reduce the risk of developing it. One important way to reduce the risk of skin cancer is to avoid
sun exposure when possible and protect yourself from damaging rays. Suggestions for
practicing skin safety generally include:
– Avoid the sun whenever possible between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when
damaging ultraviolet light is typically at its strongest. Seek shade if you must be outside.
– Shield yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants.
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to reduce your risk of eye damage.
– Apply sunscreen liberally. Use a broad-spectrum product that protects against UVA and
UVB rays. Make sure it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Re-apply
sunscreen every two hours, or more if you are swimming or sweating. And use
sunscreen at other times of the year, not just in the summer. The skin can burn when
exposed to the sun, no matter the season.
– Sunscreen isn't the only product that has an SPF rating. Look for an SPF number on
labels for beach umbrellas, tents and hats. A higher SPF rating will give extra protection
against harmful rays.
– Examine your skin for changing blemishes at least once a month. Ask your spouse or
partner to look at your back or other areas on the body that you can't see. Get examined
by a physician once a year.
– Avoid tanning salons and tanning beds.
Additionally, if you are a parent, protect your children from the sun. Just one or two blistering
sunburns can double your child’s lifetime risk for melanoma. Help your kids practice the same
sun-safety routine as you do and examine your children's skin regularly, just as you would your
own. But note, do not apply sunscreen on babies aged six months and younger, and keep them
out of the sun.