Avoiding Skin Cancer
Avoiding Skin Cancer
By Colleen Palat
Do you know what the most common form of cancer is in the
United States? If you answered, "skin cancer", you'd be correct.
Approximately 1 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer
each year. That is an incredible amount! But if caught early,
skin cancer can be curable.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when the outer skin cells grow abnormally.
What types of are there?
There are three types of skin cancer. The two most common forms
are squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas. The third type,
melanoma, is less common but far more deadly.
How can I avoid skin cancer?
Protect your skin.
To protect against skin cancer, avoid exposure to ultra-violet
rays. Make sure you use a sunscreen with any of the following
ingredients listed in the top 2 positions in the ingredient
list:
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, or Parcal 1789.
After I learned this information, I checked my own sunscreen.
It was SPH 50 and a well-known brand, so I felt confident. "With
an SPH of 50, of course it is going to protect me", I thought.
WRONG! None of the ingredients I just listed were included in my
sunscreen.
I rushed to the store to find a sunscreen that included these
most important ingredients but what I found (or did not find)
shocked me.
Among all the common brands out there, not one had listed
Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, or Parcal 1789 among the
ingredients. I will be honest: it was hard to find but I
eventually found one. A bonus was that it was actually far less
expensive than what I have been paying all along for a sunscreen
that was never protecting me against the harmful UV rays to
begin with. So don't think you have to pay a fortune for a good
quality sunscreen!
Limit your time in the sun during peak times.
The hours between 10am and 2pm are when damaging rays are at
their peak. If you must be out during this time, wear your
sunscreen and protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts, a
brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Tanning beds and sunlamps are
damaging so stay out of them, too!
What foods can help to discourage skin cancer?
What you eat can have an impact on the development of cancer.
To reduce your overall risk of developing skin cancer, focus on
getting in plenty
of the following foods:
Soy
Tofu, miso, soybeans, tempeh, and soy milk contain
phytochemicals that help to fight cancer.
Whole Grains
Cereal, breads, whole oats, wheat, and rice that contains folic
acid and selenium all help to fight off cancer. (Brazil nuts
also contain selenium, which help to ward off skin cancer).
Fruits and Vegetables
Broccoli, kale, peas, celery, red peppers, tomatoes, onions,
beans, brussel sprouts, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, winter
squash, and sweet potatoes are all great veggie choices! Citrus
fruits, red grapefruit, cantaloupe, and strawberries are all
examples of fruits that not only taste great, but also help to
fight skin cancer.
Fish
Fish contains the valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Oily,
cold-water fish (like salmon and tuna) are rich in not only
omega-3's but also selenium.
Flaxseed Oil
This is another fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids.
What about supplements?
Supplements are a great way to enhance your diet if you would
like to give your diet a boost. Selenium, Vitamin E, Fish oil
capsules, and ECGC (epigallocatechin-gallate) all help to fight
skin cancer and can be a wonderful addition to your diet.
Are there any other steps I can take?
It is important to check your skin often for signs of skin
cancer. Look for any irregularities that might show themselves
in moles with irregular edges, color, or are longer that 6mm. I
highly recommend visiting a dermatologist once a year for a skin
and mole check to ensure you're safe from developing skin
cancer.
With a few lifestyle changes, you can protect yourself against
skin cancer and minimize its harmful effect on your health.
About the Author: Colleen is a health and fitness enthusiast
who loves to pass on the latest information on health and
wellness. Sign up for your free e-newsletter filled with
cutting-edge information on health, nutrition, weight loss, and
fitness. For your free e-newsletter, visit
http://www.HealthyRevelations.com
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