Skin cancer is largely preventable if you take a few simple precautions. Here are easy 7 ways to be sun-safe:
Watch the clock - Stay out of the sun between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Pick a smater sunblock - Stick with an SPF of 15 or higher, and make sure the label says it blocks UVA and UVB radiation - both can damage skin in different ways. Virtually all reputable sunblocks guard against UVB rays,and those with avobenzone and oxybenzone reflect UVA, too.Chemical-free sunscreens with titanum dioxide or zinc oxide block both. Apply a palmful for about 30 minutes before heaading out, and reapply every two hours and after swimming.
Wear your protection - Sporting-goods stores are now stocking stylish sun-protective clothing for the beach (or anywhere). And when you are out shopping, don't forget a pair of sunglasses; your eyes can be sun-burned, too.
Sport a reminder - Try the new sun-sensitive wristbands that changes colour when exposed to UVA rays.
Avoid tanning booths - This have been provento be as dangerous as staying in the sun for several days without any form of protection.
Drink more coffee - One caffeinated cup may loweryour risk of nonmelanoma cancer by 5 perent - and the more you drink, the more the benefits you may get, according to a large study from Wayne State Universityin Detroit. (Caffeine may help eliminate skin cells with sun-damaged DNA, preventing their ability to replicate.) You don't like coffee? Any caffeinated beverage could help. But remember,caffeine is no substitute for covering up, wering sunblocks, or avoiding the beach at midday.
Check your skin... and get help - Once-a-year self-checks are recommended, at a minimum. Have you partner look at areas you can't see - that boost your chances of early detection. And don't forget to check your palms, the soleof your feet, and your scalp. If anything looks unusual, head to your doctor pronto. Annual dermatology appointment may be worth it,too.
How to Spot Skin Cancer
Harmless mole or something more? Here is what to look for.
- A harmless mole looks like a symmetrical mark, uniform in colour with smooth borders; it's ususallysmaller than a quarter inch. these moles typically show up in early childhood but can appear throughout life. study your spots when you do self exams and talkto yuor doctor about changes in shape, colour, orelevation, orifamole bleeds, itches, or crusts- all possible signs of skin cancer.
- Actinic keratosis looks like small crusty or scaly bumps or patches that can tan, pink, red, or flesh-coloured. They have a rough texture and mayitch orfeel tender to the touch. these precancerous growths usually develop on the face, lips,ears, scalp,neck, forearms, or the backs of the hands. they don't alwaysturn into cancerbut should be removed when detected.
- Melanoma looks like an assymetrical mole with uneven borders that tend to be scalloped; it's usually larger than a pencil eraser and may contain two or more shadesof black, brown, red, white, or blue. It can be anew mole or one you've had.Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer because it can spreadto other partsof thebody. Caught early, it's curable.
- Basal call carcinoma looks like a reddish patch, ora pearly pink, red, or white bump or sore that bleeds or oozes; it may stay open for several weeks or heal and then come back again. Unlike melanoma, basal cell carcinoma doesn't crop up in the existing moles.Instaed, it forms from skin damaged by UV rays. If caught, it's easy to treat and is not life threatening.
- Squamous cell carcinoma looks like a thick, rough, wart-like growth;a scaly red patch with irregular borders; or an open sore that crusts or bleeds. They don't show up in existing moles and are most common on the face, lower lip,neck,arms, scalp,backs of hands, and ears in fair-skinned people. Typically, squamous cell carcinoma can be cured if caught early.
Be vigilant and protect yourself, you can increase your chances of staying cancer-free.
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