reducing the risk

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:

• reducing exposure 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[citation needed]

Although it is generally accepted that UV exposure is the greatest risk factor in melanoma development, some sceptics say no data conclusively proves a link between moderate sun exposure and the likelihood of melanoma.

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.