Skin cancer is more prevalent today than ever before. Whether this is because we are simply more aware of the disease or that our changes in lifestyle are the cause of this increase are not completely clear. However, it is clear that many people still ignore advice on how to prevent skin cancer. This article will cover the primary reasons why people develop the disease and prevention of skin cancer tips.

People develop cancer through a combination of their genetic makeup and exposure to some environmental condition. They may be genetically predisposed to not react to mutating cells by destroying them. They may have a profile that makes them more susceptible to the environmental conditions.

In the case of skin cancer, the environmental condition that is thought to cause the disease is ultraviolet radiation. In most cases this ultraviolet radiation comes from the Sun. So it is very hard to avoid being exposed to this radiation. All you can really do is limit your exposure it.

So prevention of skin cancer can work on two levels. Find out if you are genetically predisposed to be more susceptible to ultraviolet radiation skin damage. Limit your exposure to the main cause of ultraviolet radiation.

If you have a family history of skin cancer then this means you are more susceptible. If you have fair skin and burn rather than tan in the sun then you are more susceptible to developing skin cancer. The same applies if you have fair hair and light colored eyes. All these signs indicate that you have less melanin in the body than a person with darker tones. Melanin makes the skin tan in sunlight and to a limited extent prevents the skin from burning.

If you fit into any of these categories then you should be more cautious about your exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This could be direct sunlight or using devices like sun beds. Indeed, if you have a family history of skin cancer then you shouldn't use sun beds and take extra precautions when in the sun. If you burn easily in the sun, make sure it doesn't happen. Protect your skin.

You should still take precautions when in the sun, even if you don't think you are predisposed to developing skin cancer. The best way to prevent skin cancer is to cover up when in the sun. Wear a hat, wear a long sleeved shirt, wear sunglasses and cover the exposed parts of your body with a good sunscreen. The sunscreen should be a 30+ sun protection factor. You should apply it before you are exposed to sunlight rather than when you are in the sun.

Above all, keep this advice in mind. Many problems occur because people think it won't happen to them. This is especially the case when you are younger and the temptation to spend time in the sun is greater, but the affects of ultraviolet radiation build up over time. In later years you may develop skin cancer because you didn't apply sunscreen when you were younger.



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