Hurrah! Christmas is over and with January, the new year and all those summer body dreams just around the corner I know I am definitely thinking about that holiday in the sun. We all know that we need to look after our skin, but over the years, being tanned has developed into a sign of wealth and class leading people to take drastic measures to have that ‘healthy’ glow. We all want to look nice, but do we really know the impact of our sun worshipping?
I have teamed up with Bupa to share their adviceI have teamed up with Bupa to share their advice on why we should be taking care of our skin in the sun and checking any moles that crop up regularly.
Looking after your skin
The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age. However, with the number of young people aspiring to look like celebrities and going on sun beds increasing over recent years, more than a third of all malignant melanoma cases occur in people under the age of 55.
With the numbers continually rising, it’s important to take precautions to protect your skin from sun damage. If you want the bronzed look, try a false tan. It’s much safer and gives you the same effect.
So, what do moles have to do with it?
Nearly everyone has moles. And most of the time they’re completely harmless; but it’s essential that you know what to look for because sometimes they can be cancerous. Melanoma develops in abnormal moles, and is often spotted through changes in their appearance. No one is saying you should stop going on holiday, but checking your moles and using a strong enough sun screen are simple ways of protecting yourself from the risk of skin cancer.
Checking your moles
First of all, you’ll need to know what to look for.
Changes in the colour, the shape and size as well as itching, pain and bleeding are all things to look out for. Changes can sometimes happen over weeks rather than months, so you’ll need to check regularly.
- A useful way to try and remember what to look for us the ABCDE method:
- A – Asymmetry
- B – Border irregularity
- C – Colour change
- D – Diameter
- E – Evolution
Most moles are no bigger than the width of a pencil, so a change in shape that makes it uneven or asymmetrical can be a cause for concern.
A normal mole is also usually only one or two colours; but melanoma can have lots of different colours and shades. If you notice a new mole or change in an existing mole, speak to your doctor.
Can I make lifestyle changes to prevent skin cancer?
Although there are no proven ways to prevent cancer, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting it. Whilst there’s a lot of research going into how your diet can affect the chances of developing different types of cancer, there’s still no solid evidence because there are so many different factors involved.
According to Cancer Research UK, more than eight in 10 cases of melanoma could be prevented through enjoying the sun safely and avoiding sunburn.
Following these tips could help to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer:
- Avoid using a sun bed completely. Using one before the age of 30 can increase your chances of melanoma by a whopping 75%. Use a tanning spray or lotion instead to safely create the same look.
- When the sun is at its strongest, sit in the shade.
- Know your sunscreen; if you’re out in the sun, use a lotion that protects against UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- If you’re fair skinned or have eczema, take extra care to protect yourself in the heat.
- Don’t let your skin burn. Sunburn once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer.
Stay safe in the sun
Being careful and staying safe in the sun has great benefits. Keeping a close eye on your moles can help you to identify any signs of melanoma in the early stages and receive treatment as quickly as possible, stopping it from spreading and making it easier to treat.
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