Limiting Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure

The most important way to lower your risk of melanoma is to protect yourself from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Practice sun safety when you are outdoors even on cloudy or cool days, and avoid being outdoors in intense sunlight for too long. You can maintain your level of outdoor physical activity and protect your skin at the same time. Practicing sun safety includes:

Protecting Your Skin With Clothing

You can protect most of your skin with clothing, including a shirt (with long sleeves, if possible) and a hat with a broad brim. This is probably the best way to protect against UV exposure if you are out in the sun. Fabrics with a tight weave generally provide the most protection. Baseball hats can protect the head, but they do not protect the ears, neck, or lower part of the face. Straw hats are not recommended unless they are tightly woven.

Seeking Shade

The simplest and most effective way to limit exposure to UV light is to avoid being outdoors in sunlight too long. This is particularly important in the middle of the day, when your shadow is shortest (between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm) and UV light is 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.

Knowing the UV Index

The amount of UV light reaching the ground in any given place depends on a number of factors, including the time of day, time of year, elevation, and cloud cover. To help people better understand the intensity of UV light in their area on a given day, the National Weather Service and the US Environmental Protection Agency have developed the UV Index. It gives people an idea of how strong the UV light is in their area, on a scale from 1 to 11+. A higher number means a higher chance of sunburn, skin damage and ultimately skin cancers of all kinds. Your local UV Index should be available daily in your local newspaper, on TV weather reports, or on the Internet.

Using Sunscreen Properly

The American Cancer Society recommends using sunscreen as part of a sun protection program.

Use sunscreens with a SPF factor of 15 or more on areas of skin exposed to the sun, particularly when the sunlight is strong. Use sunscreen even on hazy days or days with light or broken cloud cover because the UV light still comes through.

Always follow directions when applying sunscreen. A 1-ounce application (a palmful of sunscreen) is recommended to cover the entire body. For it to work best, you should apply sunscreen before you go outside. Protection is greatest when sunscreen is applied thickly on all sun-exposed skin. And remember to reapply it shortly after going out in the sun to help assure that you haven't missed any areas. To ensure continued protection, many sunscreens should be reapplied at least every 2 hours. Many sunscreens wear off with sweating and swimming and must be reapplied more often for maximum effectiveness. And don't forget your lips; lip balm with sunscreen is also available.

Researchers have found that many people misuse sunscreens in order to stay out in the sun longer. For example, consider a person who would be sunburned after 1 hour on the beach without sunscreen. After that hour, they might return indoors or cover up with clothing. If the same person uses sunscreen but then stays outdoors all day without other sun protection and ends the day with a sunburn, he or she is still causing damage to his or her skin that can lead to melanoma. Sunscreen should not be used to allow you to sit in the sun longer.

It is important to remember that although sunscreens may help reduce your exposure to UV light they will not prevent melanoma if you get too much exposure, particularly if you have other risk factors.

Wearing Sunglasses

Wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99% UV absorption provide the best protection for the eyes and the skin area around the eyes. Look for sunglasses labeled as blocking both UVA and UVB light. Labels that say "UV absorption up to 400 nm" or "Meets ANSI UV Requirements" mean the glasses block at least 99% of UV rays. If there is no label, don't assume the sunglasses provide any protection.

Avoiding Other Sources of UV Light

The use of tanning beds and sun lamps is hazardous because the UV radiation they deliver can damage your skin. Not using tanning beds and sun lamps is highly recommended. There is growing evidence that they may increase your risk of developing melanoma. This is an area of active research.

Protecting Children From the Sun

Children require special attention, especially since they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn more easily. Parents and caregivers should protect children from sun exposure by using the measures described above. Older children need to be cautioned about sun exposure as they become more independent. It is important, particularly in parts of the world with high sun exposure or high altitudes, to cover your children as fully as possible and to develop the habit of using sunscreen on exposed skin for yourself and your children whenever you go outdoors and may be exposed to large amounts of sunlight.

Avoiding Other Sources of UV Light

Using tanning beds and sun lamps is hazardous because the UV radiation they deliver can damage your skin. Most skin doctors highly recommend not using 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 from UV exposure, see the American Cancer Society Document, Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection.

Identify Abnormal Moles and Have Them Removed

Certain types of moles have an increased risk of developing into a melanoma (see the section "What Are the Risk Factors for Melanoma?"). Depending on the appearance of these moles, your doctor may want to watch them closely by regular exams or may remove them if they have certain features that suggest they may be changing into a melanoma. Routine removal of many moles is not generally recommended as a way to prevent melanoma. Some melanomas may develop from moles, but most do not. If you have many moles, a careful, routine exam by your doctor or a dermatologist, along with monthly skin self-exams may be recommended. If you find an unusual or changing mole, a doctor experienced in recognizing skin cancers should check you out. See the section "Can Melanoma Be Found Early?" to learn how to recognize suspicious moles and melanoma.

Learn More About Skin Cancer Prevention

Many organizations conduct skin cancer prevention activities in schools and recreational areas. Others develop brochures and public service announcements. For more information, refer to the section "Additional Resources."

Genetic Counseling

If several members of one side of your family have had melanoma, if you have had multiple melanomas, if you have had melanoma at a young age, or if you have dysplastic nevi, you may have a gene mutation that increases your risk of melanoma.

Genes such as CDKN2A have been found to be mutated (changed) in some families with high rates of melanoma. Tests for these genes are not readily available outside a research setting at this time. People interested in learning whether they carry genes linked to melanoma may want to think about taking part in genetic research that will advance progress in this field.

Most melanoma experts do not recommend genetic counseling or testing for people with a family history of melanoma. People with a family history of melanoma should ask their doctor about getting regular skin exams, learning to do skin self-exams, and being particularly careful about sun safety.