The chances of a person getting Skin Cancer can be greatly reduced if certain basic precautions are followed. It should be noted that these are just steps that can reduce your chances however there is not guarantee of a complete prevention of Skin Cancer.

1. Avoid the Sun between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M., when its rays are strongest.
2. Wear protective, tightly woven clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt and pants.
3. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 that shields both UVA and UVB rays.
4. Reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, even on cloudy days.
5. Wear a hat with a four-inch-wide brim and sunglasses, even when walking short distances.
6. Stay in the shade whenever possible.
7. Avoid reflective surfaces; they can reflect up to 85 percent of the sun's damaging rays.
8. Wear sunglasses with UV protective lenses.
9. Avoid exposure to UV radiation from Sunlamps or tanning parlors.
10. It is necessary that you avoid burning your skin.
11. Check your local UV index before going out in the Sun.

It is possible to reduce the chance of Skin cancer by a significant percentage by following the above few steps. Common sense should be used at all times when going out in the Sun for it might just save your life.

        

   

©Copyright 1998 Elizabeth Beckett, Holly Bernitt, and Vishwa Chandra.