Melanoma

Melanoma History Epidemiology & Causes Genetics Symptoms and signs Prevention Diagnosis Types of primary melanoma Prognostic factors Treatment Complications Future thought

Prevention

Minimizing exposure to sources of ultraviolet radiation (the sun and sunbeds), following sun protection measures and wearing sun protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and broad-brimmed hats) can offer protection. In the past it was recommended to use sunscreens with an SPF rating of 30 or higher on exposed areas as older sunscreen more effectively blocked UVA with higher SPF. Currently, newer sunscreen ingredients (avobenzone, zinc, and titanium) effectively block both UVA and UVB even at lower SPFs. However, there are questions about the ability of sunscreen to prevent melanoma.This controversy is well discussed in numerous review articles, and is refuted by most dermatologists. This correlation might be due to the confounding variable that individuals who used sunscreen to prevent burn, might have a higher lifetime exposure to either UVA or UVB. Please see Sunscreen controversy for further references and discussions. Tanning, once believed to help prevent skin cancers, actually can lead to increase incidence of melanomas Even though tanning beds emits mostly UVA, which causes tanning, it by itself might be enough to induce melanomas.

Rough rules of thumb to decreasing ultraviolet light exposure include avoiding the sun between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or avoiding the sun when your shadow is shorter than your height. These are rough rules of thumbs, and varies depending on your locality and your skin cancer risk.