Skin cancers are locally destructive cancerous (malignant) growth of the skin. They originate from the cells of the epidermis, the superficial layer of the skin.
Unlike cutaneous malignant melanoma, the vast majority of these sorts of skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) and become life-threatening.
There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (the most common), squamous cell carcinoma (the second most common), which originate from skin cells, and melanoma, which originates from the pigment-producing skin cells (melanocytes) but is less common, though more dangerous, than the first two varieties. Other rare forms of skin cancer include lymphomas, Merkel cell cancers, and cancers of other tissue in the skin, including sarcomas as well as hair and sweat gland tumors.
1. Pay attention to windows
You might assume the windows in your home and car effectively block ultraviolet light but this is not so. While your car’s windshield deflects both UVA and UVB rays, its side windows repel only UVB light. UVA won’t burn your skin, but it can give you cancer.
To protect yourself, you don’t have to hole up in a dark basement; just don’t lounge in direct light shining through your windows or skylights in the middle of the day.
2. Pay attention to your diet
According to a 2011 study from the British Journal of Dermatology, if your immune system is weak or compromised, you may be at elevated risk for skin cancer, The likely reason: When your immune system is weakened, it might not be able to kill cancer or tumour cells in their earliest stages.
If you tend to get sick often, that’s a sign your immune system may not be in top shape. Along with exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, some foods are known immune-boosters. Eating more garlic, yogurt, and black and green tea will benefit your body.
3. Sunscreen is very important
Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before exposure to UV in order to create the intended protective barrier. It should be applied liberally and evenly to clean and dry skin.
Sunscreen should always be reapplied at least every two hours, irrespective of the water resistance of the sunscreen. Swimming, sport, sweating and towel drying can reduce the effectiveness of the product, so sunscreen should always be reapplied after these activities.
4. Wear more sunshades
Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between noon and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, then definitely seek shade.
