What is the best way of preventing melanoma?
Scientists don’t know for certain what causes melanoma. Many believe that too much exposure to the sun is the number-one cause. Try to avoid two kinds of exposure: • Constant day-to-day exposure that occurs in people who work outdoors or enjoy outdoor sports or leisure activities. • Less frequent but more intense exposure that causes sunburn. Vacationers, skiers, and others who get intense sun exposure a few times a year may be at high risk for malignant melanoma, the most serious kind of skin cancer. When you are in the sun, wear clothing that shields the skin. A broad-brimmed hat is ideal in the summer. Be sure to use a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen that protects again both kinds of ultraviolet (UV) light, UVA and UVB.
