Did you know that 1.3 million new skin cancer cases are diagnosed each year? Even a bit of overexposure to the sun can harm your immune system. Luckily, you can prevent sun-related disease and skin damage with a small amount of effort each day.

Knowing the Enemy

Fortunately, the most common form of skin cancer progresses slowly and is highly treatable. Known as basal cell carcinoma, this form of the disease usually starts out as shiny bumps that bleed from time to time. Basal cell carcinoma makes up about 75% of all skin cancer cases.

The next most common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, accounts for up to 20% of all cases. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by red, scaly patches of skin that become open sores. However, like basal cell carcinoma, it is relatively easy to treat.

The skin cancer to look out for is malignant melanoma, which typically begins as a lowly mole. Though uncommon, malignant melanoma is responsible for nearly 80% of all skin cancer deaths. Therefore, it’s important to have any suspicious-looking moles checked by a doctor.

What Makes a Mole Suspicious?

Only your doctor can diagnose skin cancer, but you should be on the lookout for the telltale signs of the disease. These include:

• A bump that bleeds and crusts over
• A red, flat spot that bleeds easily
• Thin, red lines of spiderlike blood vessels
• A firm red bump that does not disappear
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• A growth of scaly or crusty skin
• Any change in the size, shape, or color of a mole

You are also at risk for skin cancer if you have fair skin and light eyes or hair, if you had several sunburns as a child, if anyone in your family has had skin cancer, or if you have a number of moles or freckles.

Shield Your Skin

In addition to monitoring your skin for suspicious moles and changes in color and thickness, it’s important to prevent skin damage in the first place. The best way to do this is by shielding yourself from the sun. Here are a few tips:

• Avoid the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Staying away from direct rays will prevent burning—and skin damage.
• Apply—and reapply—a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Look for products with the ingredients Parsol 1789, Titanium Dioxide, or Zinc Oxide, which provide protection from both the UVA rays that age the skin and the UVB rays that burn it.
• Wear sunscreen daily—even on cold and cloudy days—and allow it 20 minutes to sink in before leaving the house. Don’t forget small, sensitive areas such as your lips and ears.
• Wear high-quality shades. Those that offer 100% UV blockage are best at preventing problems such as cataracts, as well as crow’s feet.
• For a sun-kissed look, use a sunless-tanning cream or spray. Sunscreen manufacturers such as Banana Boat, Coppertone, and Neutrogena offer sunless tanners at most drugstores. Look for a variety that offers additional sun protection as well as a healthy glow.
• Make friends with wide-brimmed hats. The top of your head gets sunburned, too!

All in all, making sun protection a daily habit will make you look—and feel—younger.

External Links:

• National Cancer Institution - Information about skin cancer and other diseases
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control - More details on preventing skin cancer