Skin Cancerreducing Your Risk - Chapter 9 Skin Cancer Whos At Risk: Cancer

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Skin cancer-Reducing your risk

Because most skin cancers develop after exposure to UV radiation from the sun, the best way to reduce your risk is by following some commonsense strategies to protect your skin. If you have already had significant UV exposure in your life - or if you are at increased risk because of fair skin, light hair color, or family history - it's wise to undergo regular screenings as well.

The effects of sun exposure accumulate over time, which means that the more sunlight you are exposed to over your lifetime, the more at risk you are. There is some evidence that early sun exposure, before adulthood, dramatically increases the risk of melanoma. The Nurses Health Study found, for instance, that having multiple, severe sunburns (a rough indicator of overall sun exposure) before age 20 doubled a woman's risk of developing malignant melanoma.

The first line of defense is to reduce exposure by staying out of the sun during peak hours or wearing protective clothing. Although sunscreens are highly recommended, there is some evidence that they do not block all of the cancer-causing rays and that, by giving people the mistaken impression that they are fully protected, may encourage them to spend too much time in the sun. Here are a number of other steps you can take to reduce your UV exposure:

• Avoid the sun during its peak by staying indoors between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• If you have to be outdoors during that time, find shade or use an umbrella.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors, especially during the peak hours of the day. Dark-colored clothing is more protective than light-colored clothing, which allows more UV radiation to pass through.

• Wear a hat when working in the garden or walking outside. A broad-brimmed hat is best. Shade caps, which include material that hangs down from the hat to your shoulders, protect your neck and ears.

• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 whenever you go outdoors. It's best to apply it about 20 to 30 minutes before going outside so that your skin has time to absorb it. Don't assume that you are totally protected when wearing sunscreen. Even if you don't get a burn, some UV radiation is reaching your skin.

• Look for sunscreen that contains both UV-A and UV-B protection. Typically, labels contain the words "broad spectrum sunscreen" or contain the ingredients micronized zinc oxide, titanium oxide, or avobenzone.

• Wear waterproof sunscreen if you expect to sweat a lot or if you plan to go swimming.

• Remember that the sun shines year-round and that you can get sunburn while skiing as easily as when you are at the beach.

Last updated:	May 01, 2008