4 Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer is an extremely common type of cancer. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Skin cancer is a condition in which skin cells start to grow abnormally. Although it occurs in areas that are exposed to the sun, it can also develop in other skin areas. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have:   

- A red bump 
- A bleeding sore
- A large brown spot
- A pink growth with raised edges and a dip in the middle 
- A small shiny bump 
- A scaly patch
- A red, blue, or black sore with irregular borders 
- A flat sore that crusts over and doesn’t heal - A flat sore that looks like a scar

There are lots of treatment options for skin cancer like photodynamic therapy, biological therapy,Mohs surgery, freezing, electrodesiccation, etc. Although skin cancer is treatable if detected early, it’s always better to prevent it. 

Sunscreen is considered an essential part of skin cancer prevention, but you shouldn’t focus only on sunscreen and forget all the other things that can increase your skin cancer risk. Let’s review four ways to prevent this disease that have nothing to do with sunscreen:

1. Drink caffeinated coffee 

Frequent consumption of caffeinated coffee is linked to a lower risk for basal cell carcinoma and might even have an effect on lowering the risk of melanoma. People who drink six or more cups of coffee per day have a 30 percent decrease in the prevalence of basal cell carcinoma. This is due to the fact that coffee contains some bioactive chemicals like caffeine and chlorogenic acid.

2. Get enough sleep.

The circadian rhythm regulates the production of the hormone called melatonin in your body. Melatonin plays a role in your weight, reproduction, hair growth, and helps your body understand when you need to sleep and wake up. 

Melatonin is also essential to your skin health since it has the ability to protect it from UV rays. Melatonin combats free radicals more effectively than vitamin C or vitamin E, which are both often used to treat cellular damage. 

Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that can block free radical damage, lower inflammation, and stimulate the formation of other essential antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase. 

3. Examine your skin.  

It’s essential to check all your skin for changes. You can examine yourself either before or after your shower. You're already naked, so make the most of it. First, check the top of your head and work your way down to your toes. Look in your mouth, lips, ears, armpits, belly button, nails, between your fingers and toes, the tops and bottoms of your feet. Check out your intimate bits.

4. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

UV exposure and other environmental factors can negatively affect your skin’s antioxidant reserve resulting in cellular and DNA damage. This increases your risk of getting melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. 

Consuming foods high in antioxidants like strawberries, kale, avocados, dark-green leafy vegetables, salmon, nuts, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, and romaine lettuce is essential to your health. These foods possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, that’s why eating them is considered one of the promising ways to reduce the risk of cancer.

The Bottom Line 

Skin cancer is easier to get than you think. But with proper sun protection and these strategies you can keep your skin healthy forever and lower your skin cancer risk significantly. If you have noticed some changes in moles or new growths on your skin, visit a dermatologist as soon as possible.