How to Prevent Skin Cancer

For those who have been diagnosed with cancer, then they know that it's truly a terrible disease and wish they could have done something to prevent it from happening. While most cancers are caused by an alter to one's DNA stemming from factors such as smoking or a polluted environment, some are caused by external issues like overexposure to the sun. However, the skin cancer that results from overexposure is highly preventable. In fact, most cases of skin cancer are preventable and you can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer by following just a few simple steps.

Skin is the largest organ in your body, and it protects you from potential problems caused by the effects of dehydration, the sun, bacteria, and pollution. There are limits, however, to the skin's ability to protect and these other factors are the ones that cause damage that could lead to skin cancer. Use these following steps to lower your risk of skin cancer:

Avoid overexposure at certain times during the day.
As a resident at the coast, it's normal for me to go to the beach during the week and weekend to lay out and get a tan. That's part of the reason earlier this year I had a mole removed because it had grown in size. The extreme UV rays had caused this mole to be in the pre-stages of cancer, and I had a surgery to remove a massive chunk of my stomach to prevent it from spreading anymore. I have now changed my beach routine and I'm taking better care of my body. Part of the way you can do this is by avoiding overexposure to the sun during certain hours if you have chosen to not use protection. I recommend using protection, but if you choose not to, then do not exposure your body to the sun between 11:00-4:00 PM during the summer months.

No tanning bed.
For all of the women reading this, I know this is a downer, but keep in mind you do not want to subject yourself to anything that could be harmful to your body. Tanning lamps are an often cause of skin cancer. If you must, use a tanning lamp periodically throughout the year, and not on a weekly occasion. Choose only to use a tanning lamp for occasions like a wedding or party.