Health Tip: Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer

Protect and check your skin

Related Healthscout Videos Sun Damaged You Sure Could Use Some Sun You Sure Could Use Some Sun Skin Cancer "Reflection" Detection More... Related News Articles • Radiation After Surgery Lowers Chances of Melanoma Recurrence • Bowel Disease Treatment May Raise Skin Cancer Risk • More Doctors Need to Learn to Spot Skin Cancers • Want Sun Protection? Wear Red or Blue More...

(HealthDay News) -- The sun's rays may boost your mood, but they also contain harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer.

Text Continues Below

---

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help reduce your risk:

• Stay out of the sun, particularly when it's strongest, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Cover your skin with long shirts and pants, and wear wide hats.
• At least once a month, inspect your skin for early warning signs of skin cancer, such as suspicious-looking moles. If you see something that's you're not sure about, talk with your doctor.
• Avoid tanning beds or sunlamps.

-- Diana Kohnle