The incidence of melanoma is on the rise, faster than any of the other common cancers. If you want to prevent skin cancer or at least lower your risk significantly, find out what you can to do protect your skin.
Skin cancer causes are all linked to lack of protection against harmful UV radiation. Find out more about how to stop skin cancer, including which vitamin D rich foods you need and how often you should check moles for changes.
Protecting Your Skin from the Sun
Keeping out of the sun from 10AM to 4PM isn’t an option for most people and that’s why you need a strong sunscreen. Knowing how to choose and how to apply it is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer.
Chemical block sunscreen uses ingredients like ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) and avobenzone (Parsol 1789) to help your skin fight the effects of UVA and UBA radiation. Look for those ingredients in a good broad spectrum sunscreen for adequate protection.
Physical block sunscreen is another good option. It has to contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Protecting your skin from sun can be easier with cosmetics that use these ingredients, like the Hampton Sun SPF 15 Super Hydrating Face Cream, but you should also use a proper sunscreen when you go out for an extended period of time, from Sun Bum Clear Zinc Oxide SPF 50 to Perfective Ceuticals Ultra-Light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide.
Applying sunscreen on your skin 20 minutes before you go out and reapplying it every few hours is key to prevent skin cancer and its dangerous consequences.
Avoiding Artificial UV Light Sources
Tanning beds and booths are just as bad for your skin as natural UV radiation. One of the good ways to prevent skin cancer is to switch to self tanners or organic tanning solutions, which are harmless to the skin.
Using Vitamin D to Prevent Skin Cancer
If your vitamin D blood levels are low, you may be at a higher risk for certain types of cancers. Spending time exposed to UV radiation is one way of stimulating your body into producing more vitamin D, but you can also get it from your food.
Eat vitamin D rich-foods to prevent skin cancer: fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), eat fortified yogurt and cereal or simply take cod liver oil.
Getting Moles Checked by a Dermatologist
Regularly checking the size and shape of your moles at least once a month is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer or catching it early. Also be aware that dermatologists have a higher rate of detecting small tumors than any other type of doctor. To stop skin cancer, don’t just settle for “It’s fine” coming from any type of medical professional.
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Photos: Thinkstock
