The role of sunscreen in preventing skin cancer such as melanoma is still controversial, although many experts support the use of this product to somehow protect the skin from harmful UV rays. These days, skin cancer is increasing at an incredible rate, which accounts for 30% to 40% of all new cancer cases every year. This staggering figure isn’t surprising. In the US alone, there are about 500,000 cases of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, which is considered as the most aggressive form of skin cancer.
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It develops when damaged skin cell DNAs trigger mutations that results to rapid multiplication, forming malignant tumors. Damage to DNA is often caused by the UV radiation from tanning beds and sunlight. Melanomas usually look like moles while others develop from moles. They are commonly brown or black, though they can also be white, red, purple or blue in color.
Does Sunscreen Help Prevent Melanoma?
Whether sunscreen components can help prevent melanoma is still uncertain. There are plenty of studies done in the 1990s revealed higher (not lower) rate of melanoma among regular sunscreen users. However, based on a recent Australian study, it has been found that year-round, daily application of sunscreen with SPF15 reduce the risk of melanoma, but this also includes wearing hats and refraining from sun exposure in other ways.
The incidence of melanoma is higher among people living in northern American cities where there is less year-round UV radiation than the southern cities where it is sunnier. Many researchers consider the Vitamin D levels of people having sun exposure may play a part in reducing the risk of melanoma. While scientific reports are incomplete, researchers studying skin cancer agreed that that most important way to reduce the risk of melanoma is to avoid sunburn yet not all sun exposure.
Do Not Rely on Sunscreen.
People who depend on sunscreen are usually burned, and burns are associated to cancer. Sunscreens only act as filter and cannot shield your skin against excessive sun exposure. Wearing hats, sunglasses and protective clothing is still recommended to avoid being sunburned.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer?
Below are some tips on how to reduce your risk of having skin cancer.
1. Love your natural skin. Using tanning beds, tanning outdoors and lying under sun lamps are dangerous. Studies show these tanning methods can increase a person’s risk of melanoma by 75%.
2. Schedule your outdoor activities when the sunlight is less intense. Avoid going outdoors from 10am to 2pm. If you need to go out, apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing such as wide-brim hat, sunglasses and clothing with long sleeves.
3. Apply sunscreen. Put sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside. Apply it on all skin that will be exposed to sunlight. If you need to spend time outdoors, apply sunscreen every 2 hours.
