Prevention

You can prevent skin cancer by following these guidelines:

• Minimize sun exposure. It is especially important to avoid exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. whenever possible. When your shadow is shorter than you are, remember to protect yourself from the sun.
• Seek shade whenever possible.
• Wear sunglasses and sun-protective clothing, including long sleeves, long pants, and a hat with a wide brim.
• Remember UV radiation can go through light clothing, windshields, and windows. It is also reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice.
• Wear sunscreen. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The higher the sun protection factor (SPF), the more the sunscreen protects. Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going out and then every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.
• Do a self-skin exam monthly and look for precancerous or suspicious skin lesions.

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