FAQs About Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin cancer is of growing concern to everyone. In the U.S., over two million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year, and with numbers like those, it behooves people to learn about the best ways to prevent this horrible affliction. Following are some frequently asked questions about skin cancer prevention.

Q: Does SPF really matter?

A: The answer is an emphatic yes! Sunscreen is a very effective tool against skin cancer, easy to apply and inexpensive. Sunscreen which is SPF 15 or higher is necessary for effective protection. People with fair complexions or those who take medications which makes their skin sensitive to sunlight typically need a higher SPF, such as SPF 20 or even SPF 30 and above. The sunscreen used should also protect against both types of ultraviolet rays - UVA and UVB.

Q: Are tanning beds safer than tanning outdoors?

A: Absolutely not. Tanning beds use the same ultraviolet rays found in natural sunlight and are, therefore, just as dangerous. Tanning is simply burning the skin before the point of redness (and often beyond it), and it is this burning which causes pre-cancerous cells to develop within the skin. Those who want a tanned look without the danger should opt instead for a sunless, self-tanning system.

Q: Do water, snow and sand really make the sun more dangerous?

A: Reflective surfaces definitely make the sun more dangerous. Water, snow and sand all intensify the sun's rays making sunburn more likely to occur. This is why people must re-apply sunscreen frequently when swimming, and why sunscreen and adequate cover is recommended for winter activities like skiing and sledding.

Q: What are other ways to prevent skin cancer?

A: One of the easiest and least expensive ways of preventing skin cancer is to cut down on sun exposure. This means wearing long, covering clothing and wide-brimmed hats outdoors and staying indoors or in adequate shade during the sun's strongest point (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).