Skin cancer prevention

Main

Skin cancer prevention is the practice of protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. The core measures to prevent skin cancer include:

1. Seek shade: Avoid direct sunlight, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when UV rays are strongest.

2. Wear protective clothing: Cover your skin with long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

3. Apply sunscreen: Use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply 1 ounce to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.

4. Avoid tanning beds: UV tanning bed use dramatically increases skin cancer risk, especially if started before age 30.

5. Perform self-exams: Check your skin monthly for new or changing moles, spots, or patches, and see a dermatologist annually for a professional skin exam.

For example, when spending a day at the beach, stay under an umbrella, wear a long-sleeved shirt, hat, and sunglasses, and frequently apply SPF 30+ sunscreen.

Terms

• Skin cancer: A type of cancer that develops in the cells of the skin, often due to damage from UV radiation. Example: Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

• Cancer: A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and can invade nearby tissues. Example: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Invisible rays from the sun or tanning beds that can damage skin cells and lead to skin cancer. Example: UVA and UVB rays.

• Broad-spectrum sunscreen: Type of sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Example: Zinc oxide sunscreen.

• Sun Protection Factor (SPF): Measures how well a sunscreen protects against sunburn-causing UVB rays. Example: SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays.

Analogy

Protecting your skin from UV rays is like wearing a suit of armor to shield your body during battle. Just as armor blocks dangerous weapons, sun protection blocks harmful UV rays. For instance, putting on sunscreen is like applying an invisible protective coating to your skin.

Misconception

Many people think tanning makes them look healthy, but any tan is a sign of skin damage that increases skin cancer risk. Some believe they only need sunscreen on sunny days, but UV rays can penetrate clouds and cause damage even on overcast days. For example, many get sunburned while skiing on cloudy days because snow reflects 80% of UV rays.

History

1. 1938: Franz Greiter develops the concept of SPF after getting sunburned while climbing a mountain.

2. 1944: Pharmacist Benjamin Green creates first sunscreen for soldiers during WWII.

3. 1972: SPF rating system introduced to measure sunscreen effectiveness.

4. 1978: FDA requires sunscreen labels to specify SPF.

5. 2011: FDA implements "broad spectrum" test and bans misleading terms like "sunblock" and "waterproof."

6. 2019: Studies show using SPF 15+ sunscreen daily reduces melanoma risk by 50%.

How to use it

1. Daily morning routine: Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen to your face, neck, and any exposed skin 15 minutes before leaving the house. Reapply every 2 hours if outside for extended periods.

2. Outdoor sports: Before playing tennis or going for a run, put on a hat, sunglasses, and lightweight UPF clothing. Apply sunscreen to any uncovered skin. Seek shade and reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours.

3. Beach vacation: Pack sun-protective items like wide-brimmed hats, umbrellas, and SPF clothing. At the beach, set up your umbrella and apply 1 ounce of SPF 30+ sunscreen to your whole body 30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after swimming or every 2 hours.

Facts

• Regular daily use of SPF 15+ sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50%.

• One blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person's chance of developing melanoma.

• Sustaining 5 or more sunburns between ages 15-20 increases one's melanoma risk by 80% and non-melanoma skin cancer risk by 68%.

• Indoor tanning before age 35 increases one's melanoma risk by 75%.

• On average, a person's risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns.