<p>The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from the sun and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) rays.</p>

<p>To protect yourself from skin cancer:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.</li>
	<li>Cover up with long sleeves, long pants or a long skirt, a hat, and sunglasses</li>
	<li>Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher</li>
	<li>Don’t use indoor tanning machines</li>
	<li>Check your skin for changes regularly</li>
</ul>

<h4>Why do I need to protect my skin?</h4>

<p>Protecting your skin today may help prevent skin cancer later in life. Most skin cancer appears later in life, but skin damage from the sun can start during childhood.</p>

<p>Taking steps to protect your skin may also help prevent:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Wrinkles</li>
	<li>Blotches or spots on your skin</li>
	<li>Other damage to your skin and eyes</li>
</ul>


The Basics: Overview

<h4>What is skin cancer?</h4>

<p>Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. There are 3 main types of skin cancer:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Basal cell carcinoma</li>
	<li>Squamous cell carcinoma</li>
	<li>Melanoma</li>
</ul>

<p>Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are also called nonmelanoma skin cancer, and they are much more common than melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous of these cancers.</p>

<p>Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your skin regularly for new growths (like moles or lumps) or changes in old growths. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice a change.</p>

<p>To learn more about skin cancer, check out:</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/api/outlink/topicsearch.json/http/www.cancer.gov/types/skin?_label_=Skin+Cancer">Skin Cancer</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/api/outlink/topicsearch.json/https/www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care-and-aging?_hash_=cancer&_label_=Skin+Cancer+and+Aging">Skin Cancer and Aging</a></li>
</ul>


The Basics: Definition

<h4>What causes skin cancer?</h4>

<p>Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation can also come from tanning beds, tanning booths, or sunlamps.</p>

<p>Anyone can get skin cancer. You’re at higher risk if you have:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Fair (light-colored) skin with freckles</li>
	<li>Blond or red hair</li>
	<li>Blue or green eyes</li>
</ul>

<p>You’re at increased risk for melanoma, one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer, if you have:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Unusual moles (moles that change color, grow unevenly, or change in texture)</li>
	<li>A large number of moles (more than 50)</li>
	<li>A family history of melanoma or unusual moles</li>
	<li>Fair skin that burns easily</li>
	<li>A personal history of many blistering sunburns, especially when you were a child or teenager</li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/api/outlink/topicsearch.json/https/www.cancer.gov/types/skin/moles-fact-sheet?_label_=Find+out+more+about+unusual+moles+and+melanoma+risk">Find out more about unusual moles and melanoma risk</a>. And be sure to talk with your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns.</p>


The Basics: Am I at Risk?

<p>Take these simple steps to help prevent skin cancer.</p>

<h4>Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.</h4>

<p>The sun’s rays are the strongest from mid-morning to late afternoon. Try to stay out of the sun during these hours. If you're outside, stay in the shade — like under a tree or umbrella.</p>

<h4>Cover up with long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses.</h4>

<p>Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants or a long skirt when you spend time outdoors. Clothes made from tightly woven fabrics are best for blocking UV rays.</p>

<p>Wear a hat with a wide brim that protects your face and neck. Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through. If you wear a baseball cap or visor, be sure to protect your ears and the back of your neck with sunscreen.</p>

<p>It’s also important to wear sunglasses that block UV light. This will help protect your eyes and the skin around them from sun damage. Wrap-around sunglasses are best because they block UV rays from the side and the front.</p>


Take Action: Cover Up

<h4>Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.</h4>

<p>Use sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection, also called broad spectrum sunscreen. Check the expiration date on the bottle to make sure it’s not out of date.</p>

<p>To get the most protection:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days — UV rays can still harm your skin when it's cloudy outside</li>
	<li>Put sunscreen on 30 minutes <strong>before</strong> you go outside — and put on more sunscreen every 2 hours and after you swim or sweat</li>
	<li>Be sure to use enough sunscreen — you’ll need about a handful to cover your body</li>
	<li>Remember to apply sunscreen to your ears, hands, feet, the back of your neck, and any part of your scalp that isn’t covered by hair</li>
	<li>Use lip balm with sunscreen in it to protect your lips</li>
	<li>If you wear very lightweight or loosely woven clothing (like a beach cover-up or thin T-shirt), put sunscreen on under your clothes</li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/api/outlink/topicsearch.json/https/www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun?_label_=Learn+more+about+sunscreen">Learn more about sunscreen</a>.</p>


Take Action: Use Sunscreen

<h4>Don’t use indoor tanning machines.</h4>

<p>Tanning beds, tanning booths, and sunlamps are not any safer than tanning in the sun.</p>

<p>Just like tanning in the sun, indoor tanning can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots, and other damage to your skin and eyes.</p>

<h4>Check your skin regularly.</h4>

<p>See a doctor or nurse right away if you notice:</p>

<ul>
	<li>A new growth (like a mole or lump) on your skin</li>
	<li>An existing growth that has changed in size, shape, color, or feel</li>
	<li>A mole that bleeds or a sore that doesn’t heal</li>
</ul>

<p>Most skin changes are harmless, but only a doctor or nurse can tell you for sure. <a href="https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/api/outlink/topicsearch.json/https/www.cancer.org/latest-news/how-to-spot-skin-cancer.html?_label_=Learn+more+about+checking+your+skin+for+cancer">Learn more about checking your skin for cancer</a>.</p>


Relevant Topics

Take Steps to Prevent Skin Cancer

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