Skin Cancer is highly preventable, and most cases are curable if they are diagnosed and treated early enough. This is why awareness is so important, and why we should practice good sun safety all year round.

It’s not just those big days at the beach or watching a ballgame that are the main problem. It’s EVERY time you step out for a few minutes to get the mail, go out for a walk, or commute to work. No single method protects you perfectly. This is why we’ve listed 5 things you can easily do to protect your skin from cancer.

1. Avoid the sun

Try to seek shade, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which are the peak hours of sun strength in North America. This rule also applies in the winter and on cloudy days. Keep in mind that shade isn’t the perfect shield, as rays can pass through leaves & branches, hit your skin from the side, and reflect off water, sand, glass, and concrete.

Watch for windows. Glass blocks UVB quite well, but does allow UVA rays to pass through. This is true about your windows at home or in your vehicle. Car windshields are treated, but most side, back, and sunroof windows usually aren’t.

2. Wear sunscreen — at least SPF 15 — throughout the entire year

Sunscreen should be worn every day. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. While it might take trial and error to find one you like, the BEST sunscreen is the one you will USE.

SPF = Sun Protection Factor. The number will tell you how long the sun’s UVB rays will take to redden/burn your skin compared to the amount of time without sunscreen. So, if you’re using an SPF of 20, it will take you roughly 20 times longer to burn that had you not applied it.

Broad Spectrum = means that the sunscreen has ingredients that protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.

Water Resistance = Sunscreens can’t claim to be waterproof. They can be labeled as water resistant for either 40 minutes or 80 minutes. You can burn when you’re in the water. Be sure to re-apply!

3. Wear protective clothing

Clothing can provide a great barrier, and the more coverage, the better. Hats with wide brims and clothing that covers your arms and legs are helpful. Also, there are many new fabrics that offer high-tech protection. Lastly, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes and the skin around them is very important.

4. Avoid tanning beds

Tanning beds are NOT safe….EVER. They are NOT a safer than sun exposure. Using a Tanning Bed (even one time) increases the risk of all kinds of skin cancer. In fact, using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases your risk of melanoma (most deadly skin cancer) by 75%.

5. Self-check your skin

Check your skin frequently from head to toe, and pay attention to any spots that may look suspicious. If you notice anything new, changing or unusual, talk with your health care team or Dermatologist immediately.

Resources:

Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation