Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.UV rayscome from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells.
To lower your risk of getting skin cancer, you can protect your skin from UV rays from the sun, and avoid artificial sources of UV exposure like tanning beds and sunlamps.
Practice Sun Safety
Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. In the continental United States, UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight saving time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time).
TheUV Indexforecasts the strength of UV rays each day. If the UV index is 3 or higher in your area, protect your skin from too much exposure to the sun. CDC recommends several ways to protect your skin when the UV index is 3 or higher—
- Stay in the shade.
- Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Avoid Indoor Tanning
Indoor tanning(using a tanning bed, booth, sunbed, or sunlamp to darken the skin) exposes users to high levels of UV rays. Over time, too much exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancers, cataracts, and cancers of the eye.
A tan does not indicate good health.When UV rays reach the skin’s inner layer, the skin makes more melanin.Melaninis the pigment that gives skin its color. It moves toward the outer layers of the skin and becomes visible as a tan. Any change in skin color after UV exposure (whether it is a tan or a burn) is a sign of injury, not health.
Indoor tanning—
- Exposes users to intense levels of UV rays, a known cause of cancer.
- Does not protect against sunburns. A “base tan” is actually a sign of skin damage.
- Can lead to serious injury. Indoor tanning accidents and burns send more than 3,000 people to the emergency room each year.
FAQs
What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Skin Cancer? ›
Vitamins C, E and A, zinc, selenium, beta carotene (carotenoids), omega-3 fatty acids, lycopene and polyphenols are among the antioxidants many dermatologists recommend including in your diet to help prevent skin cancer. You can find them in many everyday nourishing whole foods.
How can you reduce chances of skin cancer? ›- Stay in the shade.
- Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays.
- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Vitamins C, E and A, zinc, selenium, beta carotene (carotenoids), omega-3 fatty acids, lycopene and polyphenols are among the antioxidants many dermatologists recommend including in your diet to help prevent skin cancer. You can find them in many everyday nourishing whole foods.
Can 90% of skin cancers be prevented? ›About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and about 86 percent of melanomas are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Knowing the risk factors and practicing sun protection year-round are key to reducing your risk.
What foods prevent skin cancer? ›Food That Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk
Vitamin C – Citrus fruits, strawberries, raspberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and leafy greens. Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids – Fatty fish, like mackerel, sardines, herring, tuna, and salmon. Vitamin D – Milk, cheese, and vitamin D-fortified orange juice.
Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. To lower your risk of getting skin cancer, you can protect your skin from UV rays from the sun and from artificial sources like tanning beds and sunlamps.
How common is it to survive skin cancer? ›The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 99%. The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to nearby lymph nodes is 68%. The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to distant lymph nodes and other organs is 30%.
Does vitamin D help prevent skin cancer? ›To avoid skin cancer, Chon recommends getting your daily fill of vitamin D from foods and, if necessary, supplements. A handful of foods provide a large serving of this vitamin, including: Fish: One serving (about three ounces) of certain types of fish can give you a healthy dose of vitamin D.
Is there a vitamin that helps prevent skin cancer? ›Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to reduce the number of skin cancers. In a randomized controlled trial performed in Australia (published in the New England Journal of Medicine), the risks of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were significantly reduced — by 23%.
At what age does skin cancer typically occur? ›[1-4] In contrast to most cancer types, melanoma skin cancer also occurs relatively frequently at younger ages. Age-specific incidence rates increase steadily from around age 20-24 and more steeply in males from around age 55-59. The highest rates are in in the 85 to 89 age group for females and males.
Should all skin cancers be removed? ›
You definitely need to have any melanoma removed, to try to excise it before it spreads. Two other types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are more common than melanoma. It sounds like you have one of those. They spread only rarely, but they do grow larger.
Can most skin cancers be removed? ›Surgery is a common treatment for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. Different surgical techniques can be used. The options depend on the type of skin cancer, how large the cancer is, where it is on the body, and other factors.
Can all skin cancers spread? ›Can skin cancer spread? Yes, it certainly can. However, basal and squamous cell skin cancers aren't very likely to spread, while some types of skin cancer are more likely to spread than others.
Who is at high risk for skin cancer? ›People with lighter colored skin, blond or red hair, blue eyes, and freckles are at increased risk for developing skin cancer. People whose skin has a tendency to burn rather than tan also have an increased risk. However, all people, regardless of skin color, are at risk for developing skin cancer.
What foods stop melanoma? ›Antioxidants and Melanoma
Studies show selenium-rich diets may also reduce risk for melanoma and support survivorship. Foods rich in this antioxidant include Brazil nuts, scallops, lobster, barley, oats, whole wheat, wheat germ and milk.
"Cancer-fighting foods"
Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants that can help prevent chronic diseases like cancer. The list is usually topped with berries, broccoli, tomatoes, walnuts, grapes and other vegetables, fruits and nuts.
Use of sunscreen has been shown to reduce the incidence of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Both the Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend the use of sunscreen for the prevention of skin cancer.
How beatable is skin cancer? ›almost all people (almost 100%) will survive their melanoma for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed. around 90 out of every 100 people (around 90%) will survive their melanoma for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Can you prevent skin cancer after a bad sunburn? ›Topical retinoids like tretinoin may help you prevent skin cancer after sunburn. Tretinoin is a form of vitamin A that's used as a topical treatment for signs of aging in the skin and acne.
Can retinol prevent skin cancer? ›Research shows that retinol can increase the creation of new skin cells, which may prevent skin cancer. However, there's a catch: Retinol can make your skin much more sensitive to sun exposure. This means if you're using retinol products, you'll have to be extra cautious when outside for long periods of time.