Although it is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of skin cancer, the risk of developing such a cancer can be reduced significantly with the following steps:
- avoid the use of tobacco products.
- reducing overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially in early years
- avoiding sun exposure during the day, especially from 9 AM to 4 PM when the sun is highest in the sky
- wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and hats) when outdoors
- using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation
- reapply sun block every 2 hours and after swimming
- chemoprevention using topical imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil
Australian scientist Ian Frazer who developed a vaccine for cervical cancer, says that a vaccine effective in preventing for certain types of skin cancer has proven effective on animals and could be available within a decade. The vaccine would only be effective against Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Further Reading
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