Is melanoma skin cancer preventable?
Not always, but there are due diligences that could reduce your risk of getting melanoma.
Limiting exposure to UVR
The most important way to lower risk of melanoma is to protect yourself from exposure to UV radiation. Practice sun safety when you are outdoors. Simply staying in the shade is one of the best ways to limit your UV exposure. If you are going to be in the sun, Slip! Slop! Slap!… and Wrap is a catch phrase that may help you remember some of the key steps to protect yourself from UV rays]'"[ul]\n".self]', '', '
[li]Slip on a shirt.[/li]
[li]Slop on sunscreen.[/li]
[li]Slap on a hat.[/li]
[li]Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them.[/li]
').'")."\n"' Seek out shade
An obvious but very important way to limit your exposure to UV light is to avoid being outdoors in direct 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. If unsure about the sun's intensity, please use the shadow test]Keep in mind that sunlight (and UV rays) can come through light clouds, can reflect off water, sand, concrete, and snow, and below the water's surface.
The UV Index] Protect skin with clothing
Clothes offer different levels of UV protection, depending on many factors. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts protecting the most...dark colors generally protect more than light colors. Tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing - Dry fabric is generally more protective than wet fabric.
Be aware that covering up doesn't block out all UV rays. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through.
Wear a hat
A hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas often exposed to intense sun, such as the ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp. A dark, non-reflective underside to the brim can also help lower the amount of UV rays reaching the face from reflective surfaces such as water. A shade cap (which looks like a baseball cap with about 7 inches of fabric draping down the sides and back) is also good, and will provide more protection for the neck. These are often sold in sports and outdoor supply stores.
A baseball cap can protect the front and top of the head but not the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop. Straw hats are not as protective as ones made of tightly woven fabric.
Use sunscreen
Use sunscreens and lip balms on areas of skin exposed to the sun, especially when the sunlight is strong. Sunscreens with broad spectrum protection (against UVA and UVB radiation) and with sun protection factor (SPF) values of 30 or higher are recommended.
Wear 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.
Avoid tanning salons
Tanning lamps give out UVA and usually UVB rays as well, both of which can cause long-term skin damage and can contribute to skin cancer. Tanning bed use has been linked with increased risk of melanoma, especially if it is started before the age of 30. Most dermatologists and health organizations recommend not using tanning beds and sun lamps.
Protect children from the sun
Children need special attention, since they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn more easily. It is important, particularly in sunny environments, to cover children as fully as is reasonable. Develop the habit of using sunscreen on exposed skin whenever you go outdoors and may be exposed to large amounts of sunlight/UV radiation.
A word about Vitamin D and sun exposure
Doctors are learning that vitamin D has many health benefits. Vit D may even help to lower the risk for some cancers. Vitamin D is made naturally by your skin when you are in the sun. How much vitamin D you make depends on many things, including how old you are, how dark your skin is, and how strong the sunlight is where you reside.
Whenever possible, take in vitamin D from your diet or vitamin supplements rather than from sun exposure, because dietary sources and vitamin supplements are typically more reliable ways to get the amount needed.
Watching your moles and having them removed
Certain types of moles have an increased risk of developing into melanoma. If you have moles, depending on how they look, your doctor may want to watch them closely with regular exams or may remove some of them (if they have certain features that suggest they might change to a melanoma).
Routine removal of many moles is not usually recommended as a way to prevent melanoma. Some melanomas may develop from moles, but most do not. If you have many moles, getting careful, routine exams by a dermatologist, along with doing monthly skin self-exams, may be recommended.
Genetic testing analysis
Gene mutations that increase melanoma risk can be passed down through families, but they account for only a small portion of melanomas. You might have inherited a gene mutation that increases your risk of melanoma if any of the following apply]'"\n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '
[li]Several members of one side of your family have had melanoma[/li]
[li]A family member has had more than one melanoma[/li]
[li]A family member has had both melanoma and pancreatic cancer[/li]
[li]You have had more than one melanoma[/li]
').'")."\n[/ul]"'Genes such as CDKN2A (aka P16) have shown to be mutated in some families with high rates of melanoma (skin cancer). Tests for these gene changes are now available, although they are not widely recommended... People with a family history of melanoma should ask their doctor about getting regular skin exams, learning to do skin self-exams, and being particularly careful about sun safety.
1)seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
2) Do not burn.
3)Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds.
4)Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
5)Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB)sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
6)Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
7)Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
8)Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
9)See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
Very informative post and glad that I got the chance to read it. I did not even know that sunglasses helped so drastically. Personally, I always thought they were a fashion accessory so it is glad to see something change my opinion on them haha.
Very informative post. Even I had realized that sunglasses are very helpful as it helps to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays. Buying sunglasses that can block UV rays is also important you can even find some online other than local stores.
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