How to Prevent Skin Cancer: The Most Important Steps

With few other cancers do we have as much influence as with skin cancer. By far the most important trigger is UV radiation, and that can largely be controlled. Anyone who protects their skin consistently over the years noticeably lowers their risk - not through a single trick, but through habits that fit into everyday life. Health bodies such as the NHS and the American Academy of Dermatology point out that a large share of skin cancer cases is linked to UV exposure. Skin cancer is among the most common cancers, and the number of new cases has risen over the decades. That is exactly where the good news lies: a preventable risk can be reduced. Prevention rests on two pillars. The first is protection from UV radiation, the second is early detection, meaning noticing changes in good time. Together they are more effective than any single measure.

UV radiation is the risk factor you can influence the most. Short-wave UVB causes the classic sunburn, while UVA penetrates deeper into the skin, drives premature ageing and also contributes to cancer risk. What matters is not the single sunny day but the total UV dose accumulated over a lifetime. A useful guide is the UV index, which weather apps report daily. The World Health Organization advises thinking about protection from a UV index of 3 upwards. In our latitudes the summer sun is strongest around midday, so it is worth avoiding the harsh midday sun and shifting activities to the morning or late afternoon. Worth knowing: UV radiation is still active on cloudy days, and water, sand and snow reflect it on top. You can pick up a high dose even when it does not feel especially hot.

The most effective sun protection costs nothing and comes in no bottle: simply get out of direct sun. Seeking shade, especially around midday, cuts UV exposure straight away. A parasol alone is not always enough, though, because scattered light comes in from the sides. Next comes physical protection from clothing, which beats sunscreen in many ways. Tightly woven, long-sleeved clothing, a wide-brimmed hat for the ears and neck and sunglasses with UV protection cover a lot. Dedicated UV-protective clothing with a UPF rating is a good choice for sport or time by the water. The big advantage: fabric protects without gaps, does not wear off during the day and never needs reapplying. Anyone who treats shade and clothing as the framework and uses sunscreen only for the remaining exposed areas is already doing most things right.

Sunscreen is a sensible addition, but no substitute for shade and clothing. A product with SPF 30 or higher and the label broad spectrum is recommended, so that it protects against both UVB and UVA. The SPF value mainly reflects the UVB protection. The most common mistake is applying too thinly and too rarely. As a rule of thumb: apply generously, about 15 to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply every two hours, as well as after swimming, towelling off or heavy sweating. Easily forgotten areas include the ears, neck, tops of the feet, lips (with an SPF lip balm) and, where hair is thin, the scalp. An important thinking error: a higher SPF is not a licence to stay in the sun longer. Anyone who relies on it and stretches out their time in the sun can throw away the benefit of the better protection.

A common misconception is that pre-tanned skin protects against sun damage, or that sunbeds give a harmless tan. The World Health Organization's cancer research agency places UV-emitting sunbeds in the highest risk category for cancer-causing agents, the same category as tobacco smoke. A light base tan also offers only very little protection of its own. Use at a young age is especially problematic. Starting sunbeds early and using them regularly clearly raises the risk of melanoma. In the UK, sunbed use by under-18s is banned by law. Anyone who likes the tanned look is far better served by a sunless self-tanner - even though it does not protect the skin against the sun, so normal sun protection is still needed.

Not everyone carries the same risk. It is higher, among other things, for people with fair skin, light eyes and freckles, for those with many or unusual moles, for anyone with a personal or family history of skin cancer, and for people with a weakened immune system, for example after an organ transplant. Many sunburns in childhood also have a long-lasting effect. Some medicines can make the skin more sensitive to light - a look at the patient leaflet or a quick question at the pharmacy or surgery brings clarity. Anyone who knows they belong to a higher-risk group should protect themselves more consistently and have their skin checked more regularly. The aim is not to cause fear but to tailor prevention. If you can gauge your personal risk, you know how careful you need to be.

Prevention is not only about avoiding damage but also about noticing emerging changes early. Regular self-examination helps here: once a month, look over your skin calmly, including hard-to-see spots such as the back, scalp and soles of the feet, using a mirror or the help of another person. The ABCDE rule offers a guide for moles, drawing attention to asymmetry, an irregular border, more than one colour, a larger diameter and change over time. On top of this comes professional examination. There is no routine national skin screening programme in the UK, so it is important to see your GP about any new or changing spot rather than waiting. If you have a raised risk, discuss with your practice whether more frequent checks make sense. Caught early, skin cancer can be treated well in most cases. Self-examination and medical checks do not replace one another but work together. Your own attention in everyday life and the trained eye in the surgery together make the best early detection.

This article is for general information and education about preventing skin cancer. It does not replace medical advice, examination or diagnosis. The recommendations given are general in nature and cannot replace the individual advice of a doctor. If you notice a spot on your skin that is new, changing, bleeding, itching or not healing, do not wait but have it assessed by a dermatologist or your GP. An AI-based first assessment is also only initial guidance and no substitute for an examination at a medical practice.