Skin cancer prevention tips

What is skin cancer and what steps can be taken to prevent it?

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on The London General Practice

Ultraviolet radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun and manmade sources like tanning beds and welding torches.

Sunlight is the main source of UV radiation. Even though UV rays make up only a small portion of the sun’s rays, 95% of UV rays from the sun that reach the ground are UVA rays and the remaining are UVB.

Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to UV rays and sunlight. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers – the most common types of skin cancer – tend to be found on the sun-exposed part of the body and the recurrence is typically related to lifetime sun exposure.

The risk of melanoma, the more serious, but less common, type of skin cancer, is also related to sun exposure, although perhaps not as strongly, and genetics plays a part.

Prevention

Here are some tips to prevent skin cancer:

• If you are going to be outside, stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
• Protect your skin with clothing.
• Wear a hat.
• Wear sunglasses.
• Use sunscreen.

As to tanning beds, although many people believe that the UV rays of tanning beds are harmless, this is just not true. The best thing to do is not to use them.