Avoid Skin Cancer: Some Simple Tips

Skin cancer and its most dangerous form, melanoma, are among the most widespread types of cancers at present. This condition is serious and may be deadly. The good news is that prevention is easy and simple. Learn how to protect yourself effectively.
Wear protective clothing that covers as large area of the skin as possible, when you go out. This is particularly effective for skin cancer protection. Long trousers and shirts with long sleeves are to be preferred. Wear a wide brim hat so that you can protect the most delicate skin areas, the face, neck and ears. There is nothing strange about wearing protective clothing in the summer. You can choose from a wide selection of clothing items made from light and breathable materials. Pick clothes with light colors to feel cooler.
Avoid exposure to the sun between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. This is one of the best tips for avoiding skin cancer. You can readily follow the advice even if you are outdoors. You can readily stay under the shade or an umbrella, if you are at the beach or sitting in a café. If you have to sit near the window and get exposed to the sunlight, just lower the shades.
Apply sunscreen every time you go out, even on cloudy days. This tip for protection from melanoma is also easy to keep. Choose a sunscreen cream or lotion that has an SPF of 30 at least. If you have fair complexion and do not get exposed to the sun much, you should consider using sunscreen with SPF of 45 or higher. Apply the cream or lotion on all skin areas that will be exposed to sunlight when you go out. You should do this half an hour before you leave home. Reapply the sunscreen regularly, preferably every two to three hours. Make the application more frequent, if you swim or play in the water.
Check your body regularly for abnormal moles to protect yourself from skin cancer. You can recognize suspicious moles using the so called ABCD system. Each letter in the abbreviation stands for a type of abnormality that is suspicious. Asymmetry is one of the signs to watch out for. B stands for boarders. These are irregular in case of melanoma. Color may also show abnormalities. The color of cancerous moles varies in the different areas of the mole. Diameter is another important factor. Moles larger than 6 mm in diameter may be cancer. If you detect suspicious moles, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.
Now you know what to do to avoid skin cancer.