Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. It’s not surprising. We all spend at least a little bit of time in the sun, and any amount of time we spend outside can increase our risk of developing skin cancer.
The solution is not to hide inside! Getting plenty of exposure to sunlight can also be good for your health. Instead, you should look for ways to guard against getting skin cancer that still enable you to go outside and soak up plenty of vitamin D.
Know if the Drugs You Take Affect Skin Cancer Risk
Do you know if the medication you take affects your skin cancer risk? If you don’t, you aren’t alone! It isn’t a side effect that most people expect, so it’s not something they look for when starting a new medication.
A few drugs to watch out for include some:
- Antibiotics
- Diuretics
- Antifungal drugs
Surprisingly, taking Viagra may also increase your risk of experiencing skin cancer. One study found that taking Viagra has the potential to double the risk of skin cancer in men.
If you have concerns about the drugs you take because you worry about getting skin cancer, bring up your concerns with your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a different medication.
Wear Sunscreen
You already know that one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer is to wear sunscreen. However, many people don’t use sunscreen the right way!
First, make sure you apply sunscreen properly. That means reapplying it every few hours, and more often if you’re swimming. It may also mean asking someone for help so that you can get those hard-to-reach areas.
You should also look for the right kind of sunscreen. The best sunscreens offer broad spectrum protection and are water resistant. If you’re snorkeling or swimming at a beach, you may have to consider a reef-friendly sunscreen that doesn’t have the potential to bleach the coral.
Be Safe in the Sun
Sun safety undoubtedly includes using sunscreen, but it includes much more than that. It also includes things like:
- Seeking shade during midday when the sun is high in the sky
- Being careful around reflective surfaces, like snow, sand, and water, that can make the sun’s rays even more harmful
- Wearing protective gear, like a wide brim hat and sunglasses
It is also helpful to cover up as much of your skin as is comfortable. If it’s not too hot, that might mean wearing a long sleeved shirt on the beach. If it’s very warm, you may want to consider a light swim cover-up. Any barrier you provide between your skin and the sun can help prevent skin cancer.
Decrease Your Alcohol Intake
If you want to decrease your chances of getting skin cancer, you should decrease your alcohol intake, not because it makes it difficult to notice if you have been out in the sun too long, but because alcohol itself can make you more susceptible to the rays of the sun.
Research is a bit mixed at the moment, but it does appear that drinking increases the impact that UV rays have on the skin. That means if you are drinking and spending time in the sun, you’re more likely to get sunburned and you’re more likely to get cancer.
You aren’t necessarily safe if you drink indoors either. Some studies have demonstrated that your risk of melanoma goes up with every daily drink. White wine seems to increase your risk even more.
If getting skin cancer is something you’re wary of, make sure you aren’t drinking and spending time in the sun. You may also want to decrease your overall alcohol intake.
Drink More Coffee
It may be recommended that you drink a little less alcohol, but you can drink more coffee! Among women drinking caffeinated coffee daily, 10.8 percent of them had a lower prevalence of nonmelanoma skin cancer. You may even be able to reduce your chances of cancer by over 30 percent if you drink six or more cups of coffee every day!
Of course, the type of coffee you drink matters, especially if you want to drink more to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. Skip all the sugar and creamers that can cause negative health consequences and compromise the benefits that straight coffee has to offer.
Take Your Vitamins
Vitamins are taken for a wide variety of reasons. They can decrease your likelihood of getting sick, they can support eye health, they can support healthy aging, and much, much more. It turns out that vitamins also have the potential to reduce your chances of getting skin cancer!
A form of vitamin B3 has the potential to reduce non-melanoma skin cancers by over 20 percent when it is taken twice each day.
In addition to general supplements that can easily be found at your local drug store, you can also find specific supplements that have been formulated to protect your skin. Their unique combination of vitamins and minerals have the ability to reduce your skin’s reaction to UVB rays.
It’s important to note that these supplements should not replace the use of sunscreen or healthy sun habits. They simply reduce your sensitivity to sunlight.
Get Screened Regularly
No matter how careful you are in the sun or how many of the items you follow on this list, it is important to get screened regularly by a licensed dermatologist.
It’s a good idea to visit a dermatologist at least once a year, even if skin cancer isn’t present in your family. They can identify potential problem spots, and if you go in regularly, they can notice changes to your skin that you may not have noticed.
Skin cancer may be one of the most common forms of cancer, but it is also one that you have a lot of control over. Follow the tips on this list and you just may prevent or postpone a skin cancer diagnosis.