Cancer Prevention

Cancer. Just the word sends shivers down most people’s spines. And for good reason – almost all of us know someone who has been very sick or died from cancer. The good news is that we have learned a lot about cancer treatment and prevention over the years.

There are many different types of cancer and cancer treatments.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and anyone of any skin tone can develop any type of skin cancer. It is important for all of us to understand how to protect ourselves from developing skin cancer and how to spot it early to increase the chance of an effective treatment and cure.

The most common cause of skin cancer is exposure ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most UV exposure comes from the sun and some sun exposure is good for assuring adequate Vitamin D, which impacts our physical and mental health. But too much sun on our skin can cause skin cancer.

4 Steps to Playing It Safe in the Sun

  1. Avoid too much sun: Wear protective clothing (shirt, hat, pants, sunglasses) when in the sun for more than 15 minutes; seek shade as much as possible; avoid mid-day sun
  2. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin: Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure; apply a generous coat and reapply every 2 hours or more often if getting wet or sweating heavily.
  3. Choose sunscreen wisely: Look at the label. Choose a sunscreen that offers broad spectrum (UV-A & UV-B) protection, is rated as SPF 15 or greater, contains zinc oxide as the active ingredient or as a blend with titanium dioxide. These mineral blockers are preferable to chemical absorbers (see next page), and is water resistant.
  4. Do get some sun every day: Your body needs a daily dose of Vitamin D from the sun. For most people 15 minutes of sunshine without sunscreen will not damage the skin and will give you enough Vitamin D

Another common source of UV exposure is tanning beds. Our recommendation is that all people avoid tanning beds but if you do decide to use indoor tanning equipment there are some things you can to do reduce the risk:

  • Always use fitted goggles to protect your eyes.
  • Use short exposure times when you start.
  • Do not use the highest (most intense) settings when you start.
  • If you already have a tan, do not use indoor tanning equipment more than once per week
  • Consider your medical history – check with your healthcare provider before using indoor tanning equipment.

Helpful Resources