Skin cancer: Protecting your skin

Introduction

Excessive exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin cancer. You can reduce your risk for skin cancer by:

• Protecting your skin, and that of your family members, from UV radiation.
• Performing frequent skin self-examinations.
• Finding out whether you have an increased risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers.

 What do I need to know about ultraviolet radiation and my skin?
 Why is it necessary to protect the skin?
 How do I protect my skin from UV radiation and skin cancer?
 Where to go from here?

Return to topic:

• Skin Cancer, Melanoma
• Skin Cancer, Nonmelanoma

Author:	Bets Davis, MFA	Last Updated: December 5, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
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