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How to reduce your risk of skin cancer
It takes more than sunscreen. Reduce your skin cancer risk by reducing UV exposure, avoiding smoking, eating a healthy diet and possibly by taking vitamins and supplements.
What causes skin cancer?
The leading cause of skin cancer is damage to DNA which is the “blueprint” for cell growth, and damage can result in defects in future generations of cells. These defects sometimes lead to uncontrolled growth of:
- Melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells), leading to melanoma, and
- Keratinocytes (keratin-producing skin cells), leading to basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Several factors cause DNA damage. In skin cells, the leading causes of DNA damage are:
Ultraviolet radiation
Both UV-B and UV-A wavelengths can increase skin cancer risk. UV-B lead to sunburn, but UV-A also increases skin cancer risk. You can increase your skin cancer risk without getting sunburnt.
Intense exposure to UV radiation over a short period can increase the risk of melanoma, particularly if it occurs at a young age. However, low-grade exposure to lower levels of UV radiation over many years causes cumulative damage to DNA, which also increases skin cancer risk.
You can increase your skin cancer risk without getting sunburnt.
Ultraviolet radiation can lead to the production of molecules known as reactive oxygen species. These can damage DNA and cause inflammation, which further increases cancer risk.
Ageing skin
DNA in skin cells deteriorates over many generations of cell growth. These changes occur in many cell types, so most cancers become more common with age.
The immune system
The immune system is important in identifying and destroying abnormal cells, including cancer cells. People with suppressed immune systems due to disease or immune-modifying therapies have a greater risk of developing skin cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinoma.
Smoking
Chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage DNA, leading to mutations that promote cancer development. Smoking also suppresses the immune system so that it could fail to identify abnormal or cancer cells. The risk is especially high for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip; stopping smoking reduces the risk of SCC spreading to other organs by two to three times. (Simpkin 2016).
Addressing the causes
Successfully reducing the risk of skin cancer means considering all the causes. Wearing sunscreen every day significantly reduces the risk, but you can also reduce risks by minimising the effects of ageing and chronic inflammation.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Steps to reducing skin cancer risk
Avoid the main causes of skin cancer and promote skin health as much as possible
When you’re outside and the UV index is 3 or greater, protect yourself from UV radiation by wearing protective clothing: long sleeves, hats, gloves, sunglasses… whatever suits your activity. Any uncovered areas need a liberal application of sunscreen every 2 hours.
Adjust your lifestyle to reduce your risk. Stop smoking, exercise regularly and eat a diet high in vegetables, olive oil, fish and legumes.
Consider taking anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory supplements to improve skin health. Vitamin C, fish oil, co-enzyme Q10 and astaxanthin have been shown to have beneficial effects on skin health.
For some people, vitamin B3 tablets (nicotinamide) can reduce the risk of certain skin cancers by up to 30 per cent.
Medical treatments such as topical field treatment, fractional laser and photodynamic therapy can reduce the risk of skin cancer in the treated area.
Treatments and procedures that can reduce skin cancer risk
Get insights from our medical team on skin cancer, mole checks and reducing skin cancer risk
Meet our team
Our doctors, nurses and dermal clinicians have qualified experience in managing skin cancer, skin conditions and selecting and providing aesthetic treatments.
Dr Chris Miller
Dr Chris Miller is a primary care skin cancer doctor, and principal doctor at Spot Check Clinic, since 2017.
Dr Sahar Shirkhanloo
Sahar is a skin cancer doctor committed to the early detection and surgical intervention of skin cancers.
Valerie Tra
Valerie is a registered nurse with qualifications and extensive experience in dermal therapies.
Vania
Vania is a dedicated dermal clinician who strives to empower patients with confidence in their skin.
Carmen
Carmen is a nurse and dermal clinician with experience and expertise in both skin cancer medicine and multiple aesthetic treatments.
Courtney S
Courtney has been immersed in healthcare administration since 2006, serving diverse medical specialties in Australia and abroad.
Dusko Lapcevic
Dusko played a key role in establishing Spot Check Clinic alongside Dr. Miller.
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