How Can I Prevent Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the most common, but fortunately, the most PREVENTABLE cancer.
Download the 10 Ways to SunGuard Your Skin! (PDF)
 Here are ways to SunGuard Your Skin and prevent skin cancer:
Do Not Burn.
Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. If you want to look tan, use a sunless self-tanning product and remember to use sunscreen. To learn more about tanning beds, click here.
With SPF of at least 15, which provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming and sweating. To learn more about sunscreen options click here.
Wear Protective Clothing
Such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection to prevent cataracts.
Tips for Sun Safe Clothing
- Dark, dry, tightly woven fabrics protect better than light colored, loosely woven ones. A wet, white t-shirt offers poor protection from the sun.
- A wide-brimmed hat protects the ears and back of the neck, while a baseball cap only protects the face and nose. Another good idea is a legionnaire’s hat, which looks like a baseball cap with a flap in the back and on the sides.
- Try to find clothing with built-in sun protection, called UPF. You can also use a laundry additive that makes your clothes more sun protective.
 Seek Shade
When your shadow is shorter than you are, remember that the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to plan your activities to limit time in the midday sun and find the shade of trees, umbrellas and buildings when possible.
Use Extra Caution
Near water, snow and sand, as these surfaces can reflect up to 85% of the sun’s damaging UV rays, increasing your chance of sunburn. Although you may feel cool in the water, you are not protected from UV radiation. The sun’s rays actually penetrate through 3 feet of water. Windows block UV-B rays, but allow UV-A rays to reach your skin, so remember to protect yourself in the car.
With you or send it to school or camp with your children and encourage them to use it.
Follow These Suggestions
Even on cloudy days and in EVERY SEASON of the year! Many people forget they can still get sunburned while skiing, sledding or building a snowman in the winter or playing at the beach on a cloudy day.
Learn More:
Visit Related Links to see where you can learn more about skin cancer prevention.
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