The good news is that, despite the fact that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, the majority of cases are nonmelanoma skin cancers, which are easy to treat. The bad news is that melanoma, the more deadly and aggressive form of skin cancer, only accounts for 2% of all cases, but its incidence is rising.
The best news is that you can safeguard yourself and your family against skin disease. Skin Cancer Awareness Month is in May. How to lower your risk of getting skin cancer is the most important thing to know. The doctors at Danvers Family Doctors, P.C. in Danvers, Massachusetts, share their top five skin cancer prevention strategies with you:
1) Avoid the sun
When it comes to tips for preventing skin cancer, this is probably not news to you, but it is definitely news that needs to be reiterated. The majority of cases of skin cancer are linked to sunlight’s ultraviolet radiation. Obviously, staying out of the sun at all times is hard.
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are at their strongest, seek shade or stay out of the sun. Try to keep your baby out of the sun at all times because their skin is too sensitive to wear sunscreen and is very sensitive to sunlight.
2) Dress to Protect Yourself
When you are out and about, you can protect yourself by dressing appropriately. A broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses that block UV rays, a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, and pants ought to be sufficient. Dress your youngsters in swim shirts or rash watchmen over their swimming outfits while going through the day at the pool or ocean side.
3) Use a lot of sunscreen
The majority of people need more than they think. About 30 minutes before going outside, you should apply about one ounce, or two tablespoons, of sunblock to your body, less if you have small children. The fixings need about a half hour to tie to your skin completely. Make sure to get the places that are easy to miss, like the tops of the ears and the back of the neck.
Sunscreen is not only necessary on sunny days. Because the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds, you must wear it when the sky is cloudy. You should wear it even if you work indoors, especially if you sit near a window. Use a sunscreen with an SPF, or sun protection factor, of at least 15, that has a broad-spectrum, or protection against UVA and UVB rays. If you work outside, it should be higher.
4) Reapply sunscreen
A lot of people think they are protected from the sun if they apply sunscreen before going outside. However, sunscreen wears off or sweats off, particularly on the off chance that you’ve been swimming or playing sports. For maximum protection, it must be reapplied every two hours, or sooner if you have been active or in the water.
5) Get regular skin cancer screenings
Skin cancer that is detected early almost always can be treated. For skin cancer to be detected as soon as possible, regular self-checks and an annual full-body examination by a medical professional are essential.