Skin Cancer

Sections

Lifestyle & Management

Some things you can do to lower your risk of skin cancer include:

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat foods that are high in antioxidants. These are substances that help protect cells from damage. Good sources include fruits (especially berries), vegetables, and leafy greens.

Reduce Sun Exposure

The most important step is to limit how much time you spend in the sun:

  • Avoid direct sun between 10 AM and 2 PM. Stay in shady areas when possible.
  • Check the daily UV index in the weather forecast. A higher number means a higher chance of sunburn.

Cover Up

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants or a long skirt, and a wide-brimmed hat (at least 2–3 inches) when outside.
  • Dark colors and tightly woven fabrics offer the best sun protection. Some fabrics are made to block UV rays and will show an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) on their labels.
  • Special “shade” hats, like baseball caps with extra fabric that hangs down to cover the sides and back of your neck, are also available.
  • Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays, which can cause cataracts.

Use Sunscreen

  • Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. The higher the SPF, the longer you can safely stay in the sun.
  • Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, even on cloudy days.
  • Reapply sunscreen one hour after heavy sweating or swimming. Also reapply every couple of hours in hot weather.
  • Use a lip balm with sunscreen during the day.

Avoid Tanning Salons and Sunlamps

These devices give off UVA and UVB rays, which can damage your skin just like direct sunlight.

 

Last Updated May 2026

Back To Top