How can I prevent skin cancer naturally?

What we eat, how we live and how much we promote physical activities are linked with overall health. Skin cancer is most likely to occur when a person is exposed to sun or UV rays more frequently and does not promote healthy habits in their life. In this guide, we will see how one can prevent skin cancer naturally.

To naturally prevent skin cancer, prioritise sun protection by seeking shade, especially at the afternoon. Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. While sun protection must be the priority with broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, you need to make changes in your diet for better protection.

Prevention From Skin Cancer Naturally

The main cause of skin cancer, especially melanoma and non-melanoma types, is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. This leads to damage to the DNA in skin cells, leading to uncontrolled growth and potentially cancerous tumours.

Natural prevention of skin cancer includes sun protection and dietary changes. Here is how you can protect yourself from getting skin cancer:

Limit Sun Exposure

Stay in the shade as much as possible, particularly during peak sun hours. Try to cover up whenever heading out. Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, and consider clothing with a high ultraviolet protection factor rating.

Protect your face, head, ears, and neck with a wide-brimmed hat. Opt for sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays. Sun protection is key in matters of skin cancer protection.

Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, as they work similarly and harmful UV rays can damage your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Sunscreen Protection

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin against UVA and UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and apply it thoroughly, covering the area that comes in contact with the sun.

Use a good amount of sunscreen and reapply every two hours or more often if you are out fr swimming or involved in exercises that cause your skin to become sweaty.

Dietary Changes

To potentially reduce your risk of skin cancer through dietary changes, focus on a diet rich in antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, and A, and omega-3 fatty acids, while limiting processed foods, red meat, and added sugars. Here are some of the dietary recommendations:

Antioxidant Intake

Add citrus foods, berries, leafy greens and nuts in your diet that are rich in vitamins C and E. For vitamin A, go for vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and squash. Lycopene-rich foods can be tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish (salmon and mackerel), walnuts and flaxseeds.

For zinc, go with red meat, shellfish, poultry and nuts. You can go with foods like Brazil nuts, seafood and organ meats for selenium.

Prioritising Whole, Unprocessed Foods

Aim for more fruits and vegetables. Add whole grains over refined grains and opt for sources like olive oil, avocados, and nuts for healthy fats.

Limit or Eliminate

Limit or eliminate processed meats like sausage, bacon, and hot dogs. Red meat consumption should be limited foods and drinks high in added sugars. Reduce intake of sugary cereals, white bread, and other refined carbohydrates.

This diet, with routine exercise and good rest, can keep your overall eating habits and health in your favour. Also, do not forget to drink plenty of water because hydration is key to overall health and toxin elimination from the body.

Regular Examination

Regular skin examinations, including self-checks and professional screenings, are crucial for early skin cancer detection, which allows for timely intervention and potentially improved outcomes.

Early intervention is key because skin cancer often starts as subtle changes like a new mole or a change in an existing one, which might be easily missed without regular checks. Early detection allows for early treatment. It does not allow cancer to spread to the other parts of the body. Regular self-exams and professional screenings help identify these changes early, and this allows for timely diagnosis and treatment, potentially preventing the cancer from spreading.

You can perform a skin self-exam by regularly checking your skin. Look for changes in moles, new growth or spots that itch and bleed. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and examine your entire body. Pay attention to any changes. Use a hand mirror to check hard-to-see areas like your back, scalp, and between your toes. Do not feel shy to ask for help. Seek skin biopsy services for skin cancer.