Not all melanomas can be prevented, but there are ways to reduce your risk.

Limit UV exposure

The best way to lower the risk of melanoma is to avoid too much exposure to the sun and other sources of UV light. Avoid being outdoors in sunlight too long, especially in the middle of the day when UV light is most intense. Be "sun safe" when you are outdoors. "Slip! Slop! Slap! … and Wrap" is a catch phrase to remind you of the 4 key ways you can protect yourself from UV light. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around them. These things can help you prevent skin cancer:

Protect your skin with clothing

Clothes vary in how much they can protect you. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts are the most protective. Dark colors are better than light colors. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. And dry clothing is better than wet clothing.

Some clothing is made with built-in UV protection. There are also newer products that can increase the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value of clothes you already own. Used like laundry detergents, they add a layer of UV protection to your clothes without changing the color or texture.

Wear a hat

A hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around is good because it protects the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp. A shade cap (which looks like a baseball cap with about 7 inches of fabric draping down the sides and back) is also good. These are often sold in sports and outdoor supply stores.

A baseball cap can protect the front and top of the head, but not the back of the neck or the ears. Straw hats are not a good choice unless they are tightly woven.

Use sunscreen

Use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. Be sure to use enough--a palmful for your whole body. And put it on again every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days. For it to work best, sunscreen should be put on before you go outside.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that because you're using sunscreen, you can stay out in the sun longer. Staying out longer because you're using sunscreen just means you'll end up getting the same amount of UV light as you would otherwise. You won’t reduce your melanoma risk that way.

If you want the look of a tan you can use "sunless" tanning lotion. These help you look tan, without the danger of UV damage. You do not have to go out in the sun for these to work. The color tends to wear off after a few days.

Wear sunglasses

Wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99% UV absorption give the best protection to your eyes and the skin around your eyes. Look for sunglasses labeled as blocking UVA and UVB light.

Stay in the shade

Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day, between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun's rays are strongest. Keep in mind that sunlight (and UV rays) can come through clouds, can reflect off water, sand, concrete, and snow, and can reach below the water's surface.

Protect children

Be especially careful about sun protection for children. Children tend to spend more time outdoors and they burn more easily. Teach them to protect themselves from the sun as they get older.

Avoid other sources of UV light

Tanning beds and sun lamps are dangerous because they can damage your skin. Most skin doctors say not to use tanning beds and sun lamps. There is growing evidence that they may increase your risk of getting melanoma. This is an area of active research.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your family, see the American Cancer Society Document, Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection.

Check for abnormal moles and have them removed

If you have many moles, a careful exam by your doctor (or a skin doctor), along with monthly skin self-exams may be recommended. If you find an unusual or changing mole, it should be checked by a doctor who knows about skin cancers.

Genetic counseling and testing

If any of the following apply to you, talk to your doctor about genetic counseling.

• You have had several melanomas already.
• Several people on one side of your family have had melanoma.
• You have had melanoma at a young age.
• You have a certain kind of mole known as dysplastic nevi.

There is a gene which has been found to have changed (mutated) in some families with high rates of melanoma. Because it's not clear how useful the test for this gene might be. Most melanoma experts do not recommend genetic testing for people with a family history of melanoma at this time. Still, some people make the personal choice to get tested.

Last Medical Review: 07/01/2008
Last Revised: 05/06/2009