Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that impacts the melanocytes of your skin. In some rare cases, melanoma can develop inside the body, such as in the throat. The main reason why one develops this disease is exposure to ultraviolet rays. However, the good news is that the cancer can be easily prevented.
So here are 4 effective prevention tips for melanoma:
- Wear clothing that protects you adequately
The best way to protect yourself from the ultraviolet rays is to wear clothing that helps cover your body. Try wearing tightly woven clothing that helps you cover your arms and legs properly. A lot of people even wear baseball caps to protect their heads. While protecting your head from the sun is also very important, baseball caps might not be enough for the purpose. It is more advisable to try to wear broad-shaped hats that can give you more protection. If you are having trouble finding such clothing, you can look for brands that specifically cater to such needs such as athletic brands. You can even buy sunglasses that are meant to block UVB and UVA rays. - Always use sunscreen
As we know and have been told tons of times, it is always good to use sunscreen. But most of us think that sunscreen is a product which is only supposed to be used on sunny days spent outside. But this is not true. People should ideally use sunscreen all year round, even when the weather is cloudy. According to studies, you should apply sunscreen every 2 hours, and even more often, if you go for a swim regularly, or are prone to performing an activity where you sweat. You should try using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which has an SPF of at least 30. - Focus on the changes in your skin
We often get marks or boils on our skin. In most cases, we tend to ignore these as we dismiss them as temporary bumps or a benign growth. But, we should start being more attentive towards the changes in our skin, since this could be serious. Make sure to focus on any kind of moles, bumps, or freckles that have started forming on the skin suddenly. It is also very important to check between your toes and the front and back of your legs. You should also regularly examine your genital area. - Do not go out in the sun
One of the most common tips for melanoma is advising one not to go out in extreme heat if it can be avoided. Since the need to step out for work or errands cannot always be controlled, you just need to be careful about what time of the day you step out. For instance, in North America, the rays of the sun are most harmful between 10 am and 4 pm. This is why you should always try and complete your outdoor chores before or after this time frame. It is essential to stick to following this routine not only during the summers but also during winters.
These are some of the most effective prevention tips for melanoma that you can practice easily to have better chances of not developing the disease.
