Tips To Reduce The Risk Of Melanoma

Currently, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer seen in the United States and around the world. Reports indicate as many as one in every five individuals will experience skin cancer by the time they turn seventy years old. Melanoma is not a common type of skin cancer. However, it is widely considered the most aggressive and deadliest form. Like other types of cancer, melanoma is the result of DNA mutation in cells. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the most common cause of cell mutations that cause melanoma. This ultraviolet radiation can be from the sun’s ultraviolet rays or the lights used in tanning beds. The spots seen on the skin in cases of melanoma usually look like moles and are black or brown. They can, however, come in other colors. Melanoma spots will appear differently than regular moles on the skin.

One of the most common melanoma cures is the removal of abnormal moles on the body. If patients are lucky, this will get rid of their cancer. However, many patients also have to undergo additional treatment, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy for melanoma. The best treatment for melanoma, of course, is to prevent it from occurring.

Wear Sunscreen Outside

Everyone who spends even a short amount of time outside must wear sunscreen. This is a vital part of preventing them from developing skin cancer, particularly melanoma. Sunscreens come in varying degrees of protection from the sun. This is denoted on the bottles with an SPF value, which stands for sun protection factor. In order for a sunscreen’s protection to be adequate, the SPF must be at least 30.

Sunscreens with an SPF of 30 are supposed to protect the skin from 98 percent of the UVA and UVB rays from the sun. However, individuals have to reapply their sunscreen every two hours and when they come out of the water and towel dry, otherwise their protection will not be effective. This applies to sunscreens with SPFs of 50 and higher as well. They must be reapplied regularly or they are not effective.

Get the details on how to prevent melanoma with shade next.

Look For Sources Of Shade

Since the sun emits ultraviolet rays and increases an individual’s risk of developing melanoma, they may be able to prevent it by avoiding the sun. Specifically, individuals should look for sources of shade when they are going to spend time outside. Sometimes they can find natural sources, such as underneath trees or in a gazebo in the park. However, individuals may need to bring their own shade, such as by setting up a large umbrella on the beach. Staying in the shade is particularly important between the hours of ten o’clock in the morning and four o’clock in the afternoon. This is because the sun’s rays are the strongest during these hours.

Discover more on protecting the skin from damage that can cause melanoma now.

Cover Up The Skin

When individuals are going to spend time outdoors, even when it is cloudy, they should cover up their skin. Wearing clothing that covers their skin, especially when the clothing items are made from dense fabric and are in a dark color, can dramatically reduce their risk of developing melanoma. This is because covering the skin prevents the amount of potential skin damage from the sun.

Wearing a two-piece swimsuit in the water is fine for women, as is wearing swim shorts for men. However, women should put on a swimsuit cover-up and men should wear a t-shirt when they are not in the water. In addition to clothing, individuals should wear large sunglasses. Hats with a brim of at least three inches also help protect the face and neck.

Find out more about preventing melanoma now.

Stop Using Tanning Beds

Aside from the sun, tanning beds are the most common source of ultraviolet radiation that can cause individuals to develop melanoma. This fact is starting to become more well-known, which is why many tanning salons are changing their light bulbs to what they claim are ones that are safe for the skin. They may even tell individuals that some ultraviolet radiation exposure is healthy.

This is not the case. In fact, the ultraviolet radiation that most tanning beds emit is roughly twelve times stronger than what the sun emits. Even individuals who rarely use tanning beds can triple their risk of developing melanoma. Thus, they should eliminate their use of tanning beds.

Continue reading to learn more about reducing the risk of melanoma now.

Regular Skin Examinations

No matter how much effort an individual is putting into protecting themselves from the sun and avoiding tanning beds, they still need to check their skin. Everyone should check their skin for moles and other abnormalities at least once a month. They can use a comb to reveal skin on their scalp A hand mirror helps with seeing their back, back of their neck, and other places on their body that are hard to see. If individuals note any marks that seem unusual, including changes in marks that previously look normal, they must contact their doctor as soon as possible.

In addition to regular self-examinations, individuals should have a dermatologist or their primary doctor do a thorough examination of their skin every year. This is especially important in individuals who spend lots of time outside, have fair skin, and individuals with a history of melanoma in their family.