What else can I do to reduce my skin cancer risk?

Avoiding excessive ultraviolet exposure is by far the most effective way to reduce the risk of skin cancer. But there are other risk factors, and other ways of reducing skin cancer risk and improving skin health.

Whenever the UV index is 3 or greater, the skin is at risk of damage that increases the risk of skin cancer. This is an avoidable risk, and it’s the reason skin cancer rates are declining in younger Australians who have been sun smart since early childhood. However, there are other ways of reducing skin cancer risk, sometimes by avoiding exposure to carcinogens and other times by engaging in protective behaviours.

Diet

Some foods may help reduce the risk of skin cancer by providing antioxidants that protect the skin from sun damage and inflammation. Foods that contain high levels of antioxidants include fruits and vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, leafy greens and citrus fruits. These foods are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lycopene and polyphenols. A balanced diet that includes these foods may help prevent skin cancer.

Exercise

Exercise may help reduce the risk of skin cancer by lowering inflammation, improving immune function and enhancing DNA repair. Exercise can increase the expression of genes related to DNA repair in skin cells exposed to ultraviolet radiation. In addition, exercise increases blood flow to the skin, improving the delivery of nutrients and oxygen. These findings suggest that exercise may protect against skin cancer by modulating the body’s response to environmental stressors.

Smoking

Smoking has been shown to significantly increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Supplements

Vitamin B3 taken orally (nicotinamide 500mg twice daily) has been shown to reduce the risk of solar keratoses, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in specific susceptible individuals. Vitamin B3 isn’t suitable for everyone. Your doctor can help you decide if it’s right for you.

Fish oil has been associated with a reduction in both melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Topical treatments

Field treatment of solar keratoses (i.e., the entire affected area rather than just individual solar keratoses) with combination fluorouracil/calcipotriol cream has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma in the affected area for up to 2 years following treatment.

Laser treatments

In certain high-risk patients with a history of significant solar damage or non-melanoma skin cancers, fractional laser treatment may reduce the risk of future skin cancers in the treated area.