Preventing skin cancer

Preventing skin cancer isn't always possible. But you can take steps to protect your skin from UV radiation. Sunscreen plays an important role in protecting your skin from UV radiation. But it can't prevent skin damage if you are exposed to the sun's rays for long periods of time. Experts recommend that you use more than one method to fully protect your skin.

• Stay out of the sun during the peak hours of UV radiation.

  Peak hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find shade if you need to be outdoors. You can also find how much UV exposure you are getting by using the shadow rule. If your shadow is longer than you, then UV exposure is low. If your shadow is shorter than you, then UV exposure is high.

• Wear protective clothing.

  This can include:

  • Wide-brimmed hats that protect the face and neck.
  • Tightly-woven clothes made of thick material, such as unbleached cotton, polyester, wool, or silk.
  • Dark clothes with dyes added that help absorb UV radiation.
  • Loose-fitting long-sleeved clothes that cover as much of the skin as possible.
  • Clothes with sun protection factor (SPF) in the fabric that doesn't wash out.
• Wear sunscreen, with an SPF of 30 or higher, every day.

  This includes summer and winter, on both cloudy and clear days.

• Use sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation.

  Apply to all exposed skin, including the nose, lips, ears, scalp, back of the hands, and neck. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going in the sun. Reapply it every 2 hours and after swimming, exercising, or sweating.

• Use protective lip balm.

  Use lip balm or cream that has an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your lips from getting sunburned.

• Wear wraparound sunglasses.

  Choose ones that block at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation.

• Be careful when you are on sand, snow, or water.

  These surfaces can reflect 85% of the sun's rays. Also be careful when you're at high elevations or in countries near the equator.

• Avoid artificial sources of UVA radiation.

  This includes sunlamps and tanning booths. Like the sun, they can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.

A child's skin is more sensitive to the sun than an adult's skin and is more easily burned. Babies younger than 12 months should always be completely shielded from the sun. If you cannot avoid the sun, use sunglasses, a hat, and clothing to protect your child's skin. If your baby is 6 months or older, put sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on your child before going outside.

Watching for early signs of skin cancer

Skin cancer, including melanoma, is curable if spotted early. A careful skin exam may identify suspicious growths that may be cancer or growths that may develop into skin cancer (precancers).

• Learn the ABCDEs (Figure 2) of early detection.

  These are the changes in a mole or skin growth that are warning signs of melanoma.

• Examine your skin (Figure 3) regularly.

  Get to know your moles and birthmarks. And look for any abnormal skin growth and any change in the colour, shape, size, or appearance of a skin growth.

• Check for any area of skin that does not heal after an injury.
• Ask your doctor to check your skin during health exams.

  Most experts recommend having your skin examined regularly.

• Bring any suspicious skin growths or changes in a mole to the attention of your doctor.

Figure 2 - ABCDEs of melanoma skin cancer

Source: NCI Visuals Online. Skin Cancer Foundation. www.cancer.gov.

The ABCDEs of melanoma skin cancer are:

• Asymmetry. One half doesn't match the appearance of the other half.
• Border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred.
• Colour. The colour (pigmentation) is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown, and black are present. Dashes of red, white, and blue add to a mottled appearance.
• Diameter. The size of the mole is greater than 6 mm (1/4 inch), about the size of a pencil eraser. Any growth of a mole should be evaluated.
• Evolution. There is a change in the size, shape, symptoms (such as itching or tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or colour of a mole.

Current as of: October 25, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Figure 3 - Skin self-exam

A skin self-exam is used to identify suspicious growths that may be cancer or growths that may develop into skin cancer (precancers). Look for any abnormal skin growth or any change in the colour, shape, size, or appearance of a skin growth. Check for any area of injured skin (lesion) that does not heal.

To perform a skin self-exam:

• Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Examine your body front and back, then examine your right and left sides with your arms raised.
• Bend your elbows and look carefully at your forearms, the back of your upper arms, and your palms.
• Look at your feet, the soles of your feet, and the spaces between your toes.
• Using a hand mirror, look at:
  • The back of your legs.
  • The back of your neck.
  • Your scalp. Part your hair several times, in different places, to look at your entire scalp.
  • Your back, buttocks, and genital area.

If you see a suspicious skin growth during your self-exam, contact your doctor.

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.