Take Steps to Prevent Skin Cancer

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from the sun and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) rays.

To protect your skin:

• Stay in the shade as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
• Cover up with long sleeves, long pants or a skirt, a hat, and sunglasses.
• Avoid indoor tanning.

Why do I need to protect my skin?

Protecting your skin today may help prevent skin cancer later in life. Most skin cancer appears after age 50, but skin damage from the sun can start during childhood.

Taking steps to prevent skin cancer may also help prevent:

• Wrinkles
• Blotches or spots on your skin
• Other damage to your skin and eyes

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. There are 3 major types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are also called non-melanoma skin cancer, and they are more common than melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer.

Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your skin regularly for new growths (like moles or lumps) or changes in old growths. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you find a change.

Visit these websites to learn more about skin cancer:

• Skin Cancer
• Skin Cancer – Information for older adults

What causes skin cancer?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation can also come from tanning beds, tanning booths, or sunlamps.

Anyone can get skin cancer. The risk is highest for people with:

• White or light-colored skin with freckles
• Blond or red hair
• Blue or green eyes

You are at higher risk for the most dangerous type of skin cancer (melanoma) if you have:

• Unusual moles (moles that change color, grow unevenly, or change in texture)
• A large number of moles (more than 50)
• A family history of melanoma

Find out more about unusual moles and melanoma risk. Talk with your doctor or nurse if you are concerned.

Take these simple steps to help prevent skin cancer.

Cover up with long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants or a long skirt. Wear a hat with a wide brim to help protect your face and neck. Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through.

The skin around your eyes is very sensitive. Wear wrap-around sunglasses to help protect your eyes and your skin from sun damage.

Stay in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The sun’s rays are the strongest from mid-morning to late afternoon. Try to stay out of the sun during these hours. If you are outside, stay in the shade – like under a tree or umbrella.

Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Use sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. Check the expiration date on the bottle to make sure it’s not out of date.

To get the most protection:

• Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. UV rays can still harm your skin through the clouds.
• Plan ahead – put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside. Put on more sunscreen every 2 hours and after you swim or sweat.
• Be sure to use enough sunscreen (a handful). Don’t forget to apply it to your lips, ears, hands, feet, and the back of your neck.
• If you wear very lightweight clothing (like a beach cover-up or thin T-shirt), put sunscreen on under your clothes.

Avoid indoor tanning.

Tanning beds, tanning booths, and sunlamps are not any safer than tanning in the sun. There’s no safe way to get a tan.

Just like tanning in the sun, indoor tanning can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots, and other damage to your skin and eyes.

Read more about the risks of indoor tanning.

Check your skin regularly.

See a doctor or nurse right away if you find any changes that worry you.

Use mirrors.

The best place to do a skin self-exam is in a well-lit room in front of a mirror. The best time is right after a shower or bath.

Examine your skin from head to toe. Use a hand mirror to check hard-to-see areas like your back. You may want to ask a friend or relative to check your scalp (under your hair). Learn how to do a skin self-exam.

Look for changes.

• Learn where your birthmarks, spots, and moles are and what they usually look and feel like. Use this chart to keep track of your self-exams [PDF - 772 KB].
• Check the growths on your skin for changes in size, shape, color, or feel.
• Check for anything new – a sore that doesn’t heal, a mole that bleeds, or any new growths.

If you find any changes that worry you, see a doctor.

Most changes are harmless, but only a doctor or nurse can tell you for sure.