The Health Blog

Most skin cancers are preventable. To protect yourself:

1. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Because the sun’s rays are strongest during this period, try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even in winter or when the sky is cloudy. You absorb UV radiation year-round, and clouds offer little protection from damaging rays. Remember, sunburns and suntans cause skin damage that can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Sun exposure accumulated over time also may cause skin cancer.

2. Wear sunscreen year-round. Sunscreens don’t filter out all harmful UV radiation, especially the radiation that can lead to melanoma. But they play a major role in an overall sun protection program. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which means the product blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Select sunscreen products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Use a generous amount of sunscreen on all exposed skin, including your lips, the tips of your ears, and the backs of your hands and neck.

We all have at least some moles on our skin. But many of us might not know which moles are normal, and which could be signs of trouble.

How can you spot a suspicious mole? Experts from the Ohio State University Medical Center say, just remember your “ABCDE”.

A - stands for Asymmetry. The moles that tend to be malignant are irregular in shape. The ones that are benign are rounded.

B - stands for border. If the mole has a rough edge, get it checked.

C - is color. Moles with more than one color could spell trouble.

D - stands for diameter. Moles larger than a pencil eraser should be checked.