Prevent Melanoma
How can you prevent getting the most dangerous skin cancer?
Introduction
How to prevent melanoma?
Every hour, on average, one person dies of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Research in understanding the causes of melanoma continues to advance. Some studies have shown that nearly 90% are considered to be preventable, although there is no guaranteed way to prevent melanoma.
Some risk factors, such as age, gender, race, and family history, cannot be controlled. What we do know is that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the primary environmental contributor to melanoma.
So there are things you can do that could lower your risk of getting melanoma and other skin cancers. Because this disease can affect anyone, everyone should take steps to reduce their risk and detect melanoma in the earliest stages, when it’s most treatable.
Introduction
Melanoma prevention methods
Sun Protection
- Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sun-protective clothing, hat, and sunglasses
- Limit the time you spend in the sun, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun’s rays are most intense
- Avoid too much tanning
- Don’t get sunburned
Read more: Sun Behaviour still biggest cause of skin cancer.
- Avoid using tanning beds. Indoor tanning has been shown to increase the risk of melanoma by up to 75%.
- Apply Sunscreen as a daily habit
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. Also for babies over the age of six months
- Planning outdoor activities? Use a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating
- Keep newborns out of the sun
- Protect children against bad sunburn. This doubles your child’s chances of developing melanoma later in life
“Did you know that UV radiation can still damage skin even in the winter and on cloudy days?”
Skin Checks
- Examine your skin from head-to-toe every month
- Keep an eye out for irregular moles with the ABCDE method
Read more: ABCDE Melanoma self-check method
- See a dermatologist at least once a year
Top posts
About melanoma prevention
Where is melanoma most commonly found?
Melanoma: when to see a doctor
A Doctor for Melanoma? You may often ask yourself when to see a doctor. Any time you notice a suspicious mole or spot you need to be aware.
Melanoma that looks like a pimple
Melanoma recurrence is when melanoma returns after treatment. It can happen with any type of cancer. Here we explain why melanoma comes back.
PREVENTION METHODS
How SkinVision can help you!
SkinVision enables you to check your skin spots for signs of skin cancer within 30 seconds. Our algorithm is currently at the level of a specialist dermatologist.
In skin spots with a potential health risk, SkinVision provides feedback about the preferred next step to take.
SkinVision also enables you to store photos to keep track of changes over time, helping you to monitor your health in the long term.
The efficient and easy-to-use solution is available for iOS and Android and helps to make skin monitoring a simple routine.
Ready to take the first photo?
Download SkinVision from the App Store or Google Play and start checking your skin now.