The best way to lower the risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer, is to avoid too much exposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) light. Remember, there is no such thing as a “healthy tan.” A tan is nothing more than damaged skin. Today with all of the “faux tan” products available, there is no reason to get a tan from the sun or a tanning bed.

The following suggestions are smart ways to protect yourself from the sun. 

Limit direct sun exposure during midday.

Ultraviolet rays are most intense during the middle of the day, usually between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Take the shadow test. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun's rays are the strongest. Plan activities out of the sun during these times. If you must be outdoors, protect your skin.

Protect your skin with clothing.

This is probably the best way to protect against too much UV exposure if you are out in the sun. Protect your skin with clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, or a long skirt. Dark colors provide more protection than light colors. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. If you can see light through the fabric, UV rays can get through, too.

Wear a hat.

A hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. A shade cap, which looks like a baseball cap with about 7 inches of fabric draping down the sides and back, also is a good option. These caps are often sold in sports and outdoor supply stores. A baseball cap can protect the front and top of the head, but not the back of the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop.

Seek shade.

Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Keep in mind that sunlight (and UV rays) can come through clouds, can reflect off water, sand, concrete, and snow, and can reach below the water's surface.

Use sunscreen.

Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen is a product that you apply to the skin for some protection against the sun's UV rays, although it does not provide total protection. Sunscreens are available in lotions, creams, ointments, gels and wax sticks.

Be sure to use enough (a palmful, or about an ounce, is about the right amount for your whole body) and put it on every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days. For it to work best, sunscreen should be put on 20-30 minutes before you go outside. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because you’re using sunscreen, you can stay out in the sun longer.

Remember, too, that sunless tanning products, such as bronzers and extenders, give skin a golden color. However, unlike sunscreens, these products do not protect you from UV damage unless they also contain a sunscreen. 

Wear sunglasses.

Research has shown that long hours in the sun without eye protection increases the chances of developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. The ideal sunglasses do not have to be expensive, but they should be the wrap-around type that blocks 99% to 100% of UV rays. 

Protect children.

Be especially careful about sun protection for children. They tend to spend more time outdoors and burn more easily. Teach children to protect themselves from the sun and stress how important that protection is. Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from the sun using hats and protective clothing. If you or your child burn easily, be extra careful to cover up, limit exposure, and apply sunscreen.

Avoid other sources of UV light.

As mentioned earlier, tanning beds and sun lamps are dangerous because they can damage your skin. Most skin doctors say not to use tanning beds and sun lamps. In fact, there is growing evidence that they may increase your risk of getting melanoma. This is an area of active research.

Screening is important.

Skin cancer can be found early, and both doctors and patients play important roles in finding skin cancer. That's why it's important to check your skin regularly for any signs of changes to your existing moles and freckles, and for new spots. If you have any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor.

• Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
• Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
• The spread of pigmentation beyond its border, such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
• A change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain

Know your family history.

Certain people are more prone to skin cancer than others. If any of the following apply to you, be sure that your doctor know your history:

• You have had several melanomas already.
• Several people on one side of your family have had melanoma.
• You have a certain kind of mole known as dysplastic nevi.
• You have had unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
• You have a fair complexion.
• You have had occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium.
• You have multiple or atypical moles.
• You had severe sunburns as a child.

This tendency for melanoma to run in families can be partially explained by a mutated gene (one that has changed) that has been found in some families with high rates of melanoma. Testing for this gene, however, is still under research.

Click here to get more information on this subject
from the American Cancer Society's online bookstore.