Quick and simple ways to prevent skin cancer

Following some simple steps may help people reduce their risk of developing skin cancer, the most common form of cancer, says expert.

The easiest way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin with clothing, said board-certified dermatologist Zoe D. Draelos, MD, FAAD, consulting professor at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C.

He suggests carrying a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses before going outside.

Wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants also can help protect from the damaging rays of the sun, he added.

In addition, Dr. Draelos shares these additional tips for preventing skin cancer:

Apply sunscreen every day - When you are going to be outside, even on cloudy days, apply sunscreen to all skin that will not be covered by clothing. Reapply approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Use a broad- spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that protects the skin against both UVA and UVB rays and that has an SPF of at least 30.

Seek shade - Remember that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.

Use extra caution near water, sand or snow as they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.

Get vitamin D safely. Eat a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in vitamin D, or take vitamin D supplements. Do not seek the sun.

If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it. Don't use tanning beds because just like the sun, UV light from tanning beds can cause wrinkling and age spots and can lead to skin cancer.

Check your skin for signs of skin cancer - Checking your skin and knowing your moles are key to detecting skin cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

"It's critically important for people to see their board-certified dermatologist if they notice a mole or skin lesion that is changing, growing or bleeding," said Dr. Draelos.

"Skin cancer can be easily treated if detected early," he asserted.