Sun safety is the most effective way to lower the risk of melanoma or skin cancer. If you cannot avoid being outdoors in direct sunlight, then skin protection is important. The American Cancer Society recommends these sun safety precautions: 1. Seeking Shade: The simplest and most effective way to limit exposure to UV light is to avoid being outdoors in sunlight too long. This is particularly important in the middle of the day between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when UV light is strongest. Keep in mind that sunlight can reflect off water, clouds, sand, concrete, and snow, and can reach below the water’s surface. 2. Protecting Your Skin with Clothing: You can protect most of your skin with clothing, including a shirt with long sleeves and a hat with a broad brim. This is the only sure way to protect against melanoma if you are in the sun. Fabrics with a tight weave and dark colors generally provide the best protection from the sun. Baseball hats can protect the head but they do not protect the ears or neck. 3. Using Sunscreen Properly: Doctors are divided on whether sunscreens protect against melanoma. Most studies have not shown them to be protective. But it may be that newer sunscreens are more effective. One thing that all doctors agree on is that if you use sunscreens, it is important to use them properly. Use sunscreens with a SPF factor of 15 or more on areas of skin exposed to the sun, particularly when the sunlight is strong. Look for products that protect against UVA and UVB, the two most damaging forms of UV radiation. Use sunscreen even on hazy days or days with light or broken cloud cover because the UV light still comes through. Always follow directions when applying sunscreen. For it to work best, you should apply sunscreen before you go outside, about 20 to 30 minutes before so your skin can absorb the protective agents. Use it thickly on all sun-exposed skin, particularly your face, ears, hands, feet, and neck. And remember to reapply it at least every 2 hours. A 1-ounce application (a palm full of sunscreen) is recommended. Many sunscreens wear off with sweating and swimming and must be reapplied often for maximum effectiveness. And don’t forget your lips. Lip balm with sunscreen is also available. Sunscreen should not be used to allow you to sit in the sun longer. Sunscreen will not prevent melanoma; it just reduces the amount of UV light exposure. Researchers have found that many people use sunscreens to let them stay out in the sun longer. This results in the same amount of UV light exposure as if they hadn't used sunscreen at all, which doesn't reduce their risk. Too much sun exposure is unhealthy. Sunscreen should only be used to protect against normal sun exposure. 4. Wearing Sunglasses: Wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99% UV absorption provide the best protection for the eyes and the skin area around the eyes. Look for sunglasses labeled as blocking UVA and UVB light. Labels may read "UV absorption up to 400 nm," which means that they protect 99% to 100% UV absorption. 5. Avoiding Other Sources of UV Light: The use of tanning beds and sun lamps is hazardous because the UV radiation they deliver can damage your skin. Not using tanning beds and sun lamps is highly recommended. There is growing evidence that they may increase your risk of developing melanoma. This is an area of active research. 6. Protecting Children from the Sun: Children require special attention, especially since they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn more easily. Parents and caregivers should protect children from sun exposure by using the measures described above. Older children need to be cautioned about sun exposure as they become more independent. It is important, particularly in parts of the world with high sun exposure or high altitudes, to cover your children as fully as possible and to develop the habit of using sunscreen on exposed skin for yourself and your children whenever you go outdoors and may be exposed to large amounts of sunlight. 7. Identifying Abnormal Moles and Having Them Removed: Certain types of moles have an increased risk of developing into a melanoma. Depending on the appearance of these moles, your doctor may monitor them closely by regular examinations or may remove them if they have certain features that suggest they may be changing into a melanoma. Routine removal of many moles is not generally recommended as a way to prevent melanoma. If you have many moles, careful routine examination by your doctor or a dermatologist, along with monthly skin self-examination, is recommended. If you find an unusual or changing mole, a doctor experienced in recognizing skin cancers should check you out. See the section on "Can Melanoma Be Found Early?" to learn how to recognize suspicious moles and melanoma. For more information about skin cancer see the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org |
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| Cancer Concerns and Prevention | |
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| Skin and Rash Conditions | |
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| Sunscreen SPF What Does It Mean? |