How to prevent Melanoma

What can I do to prevent Melanoma?

Prevention is the best weapon.  Avoid excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.  Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen protecting against both UVA and UVB rays.  UVB is the main culprit causing sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and are associated with wrinkling and leathering of the skin.  UVA rays also exacerbate the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays.    A broad-spectrum sunscreen should have at least three ingredients.  These ingredients generally include PABA derivatives, salicylates, cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate and cinoxate) for UVB absorption; benzophenones (oxybenzone or sulisobenzone) for shorter-wavelength UVA protection; and avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule (Mexoryl), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide for the remaining UVA spectrum.

Apply approximately once ounce of sunscreen thirty minutes before you plan to head outside and be sure to reapply every two hours or sooner if you are moderately active or swimming.

Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10am and 2pm, which is when the UV light is most intense.  Always wear a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses. 

If you had excessive sunburns with blistering during your early years, precautions today may not make up for early skin damage; however taking precautions today may help prevent new or further damage. You must be especially alert to any significant skin changes. A monthly self-examination can help you identify any new or developing lesion.  It’s important to thoroughly check all areas of the body.  To do so, you need a full-length mirror, a hand mirror and good lighting.

• Exam the skin on your front and back in the mirror, then your right and left sides with arms raised.
• Bend your elbows and look carefully at forearms, backs of upper arms and palms.
• Check the back of your legs and feet, including soles and between toes (sometimes melanoma can be unrelated to sun exposure).
• With a hand mirror, look at the back of the neck and scalp.  Lift your hair off your neck to see the underneath.
• Finally, check your back and buttocks with the hand mirror.