Skin Cancer: How to Protect Yourself

• Why this matters

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.

The main cause is ultraviolet (UV) radiation — from the sun or from tanning beds.

There are two main groups:

• Melanoma: is the most serious type. It is less common, but it can spread to other parts of the body if not caught early.
• Non-melanoma skin cancers (like basal cell and squamous cell): are much more common and usually much easier to treat when found early.

In the United States, skin cancer is the most common cancer, and 1 in 5 Americans will get it by age 70.

The good news: most skin cancers can be prevented.

Who is at higher risk?

• Light skin, light eyes, or skin that burns easily.
• A personal or family history of skin cancer.
• Long or repeated time in the sun, or working outdoors.
• Using tanning beds.

What doctors and health experts recommend?

1. Use sunscreen every day

Choose SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB), and water-resistant.

Use a generous amount — about 2 tablespoons for the whole body — and reapply every 2 hours, especially after sweating, swimming, or exercise.

2. Clothing is your first protection

Wear a long-sleeved shirt, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection.

Some fabrics have a UPF rating — a number that tells you how much UV the fabric blocks, like SPF does for sunscreen. Higher UPF means more protection.

3. Stay in the shade at peak hours

Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and protect yourself whenever the UV index is 3 or higher.

4. Never use tanning beds

They are an artificial source of UV and raise the risk of melanoma.

5. Check your skin

Look at your skin regularly for new moles or spots, or ones that change.

The ABCDE rule helps: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving.

6. Protect children early

Keep babies out of direct sun and build the sunscreen habit from childhood.

• What to do if you’re not sure

See a dermatologist if you notice a mole or spot that is new, changes shape or color, does not heal, itches, or bleeds.

Take a photo of the spot and track it over time, and bring the photo to your appointment.

If you’re not sure which sunscreen is right for your skin, ask your dermatologist — they can recommend the best one.

Note: This post is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.

Sources:

American Academy of Dermatology. How to prevent skin cancer. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/how

American Academy of Dermatology. How to check your skin. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/check-skin

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Skin cancer risk factors. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/risk_factors.htm

Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer facts & statistics. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/

World Health Organization. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ultraviolet-radiation