ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.
About one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. But unlike some other types, skin cancer can often be prevented!
“We tell our patients to reduce your risk by modifying the factors you can,” said Vishal A. Patel, MD, FAAD, FACMS, associate professor of dermatology at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
First: protect your skin from harmful rays. UV light tanning beds can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 59% and squamous cell carcinoma by 67%. UV drying machines at nail salons may also up your risk for skin cancer on your hands. And of course, too much outdoor sun can be a problem. Just one blistering sunburn more than doubles your chances of melanoma.
“If you love to do outdoor activities, wear sunscreen, wear sun protective clothing, don’t do that at the peak of the sun, do it earlier in the day or later in the day when the sun is not as high,” stated Dr. Patel.
To help with skin protection, researchers at Cleveland Clinic have developed a new active ingredient for sunscreen called Photosorb. It soaks up UV rays so they don’t hurt your skin and it may be safer and more effective than current options. Simply taking a vitamin may also be a way to avoid skin cancer. In a clinical trial, those who took nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, had a 14% overall decrease in skin cancer risk. Another important prevention strategy is regular skin checks. Let your doctor know about any area that has changed or doesn’t look right.
“If something is standing out, somebody should look at it,” said Dr. Patel,
It’s never too early to lower your skin cancer risk!
Scientists at the University of Texas in Austin have recently developed a promising new therapy for treating skin cancer. It uses LED light and ultra-thin flakes of tin to kill cancer cells. In a study, the treatment destroyed up to 92% of cancer cells in just 30 minutes.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.srderm.com/2019/05/13/skin-cancer-statistics/
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/9-ways-to-lower-skin-cancer-risk
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251019120525.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251020092831.htm
* For More Information, Contact: Anne Banner
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