Prevention

Educating patients about the potential risks that come with long-term unsafe exposure to the sun are important to the prevention of skin cancer. Comprehensive education is an important part of patient care.

Prevention in these key areas is very important:

1. Avoid blistering sunburns:
   1. Wear a sun block or hat at all times if you will be in the sun for more than 20 minutes. It is a good idea to get in the habit of wearing sun block with an SPF or sun protection factor of at least 50 with “broad spectrum” coverage, meaning it will block both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B sun rays.
   2. Sun block should be reapplied every two hours.
   3. If you will be in the sun for more than 20 minutes, consider purchasing sun clothing which should have a “UPF” or ultraviolet protection factor of 50-plus.
   4. Wear a hat and sunglasses.
2. Avoid tanning beds. These have been proven to be a known cause of skin cancer in people. Moreover, ultraviolet light was recently designated as a something that can cause cancer in people.
3. Wear sunglasses while in the sun to prevent exposure.