Skin cancer: how to reduce your risk

Unlike other forms of cancer, the cause of skin cancer is relatively obvious: excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and solarium. A sensible approach to the sun is therefore the best protection against skin cancer. 

The risk of developing skin cancer has increased exponentially in recent years. This is hardly surprising, since outdoor activities, annual holidays in the sunny south and lengthy sunbathing are more popular than ever. With unpleasant consequences: when it comes to exposure to sunlight, we are exceeding our limits at an ever younger age, which means that young skin cancer patients are no longer a rarity.

Our skin forgets nothing. UV radiation can cause permanent changes in the skin cell's DNA, which can cause the cell to become abnormal even after many years have passed. Sunburn is therefore particularly harmful for children and adolescents. It is a significant factor in the development of dangerous malignant melanoma. 

How much sun do we need?

It goes without saying that we need sunlight, even though UV light is a health hazard. Sunlight supplies the body with vitamin D, which is responsible for the formation of strong bones. Half an hour of sunlight every day is enough to ensure that our bodies are adequately supplied with vitamin D. Neither does it matter whether you get it by going for a walk or reading a newspaper on the balcony.    

Protection from UV radiation

The key to preventing skin cancer is to act sensibly in the sun. The best way to do this is to remember the ABC of sun protection:

A for Avoid
B for Block (with sunscreen)
C for Cover up

It is particularly important to avoid the intense midday sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and to spend most of your time in the shade. Protect your skin by wearing clothes that cover you up and applying sun cream with a high sun protection factor. And don't forget: the lighter your skin, the less UV radiation it can tolerate.

What skin types are there?

Doctors distinguish between four different skin types depending on their sensitivity:

  • Skin type 1: people with light skin, blonde or red hair and blue eyes. Without skin protection, their skin turns red after just five to ten minutes in the midsummer sun.
  • Skin type 2: apart from having slightly darker skin, there is very little difference between this type and type 1. Their unprotected skin turns red after about 10 to 20 minutes in the sun.
  • Skin type 3: this group consists of people with dark hair, brown eyes and medium skin. People with this skin type should not spend longer than 20 or 30 minutes in the sun without protection.
  • Skin type 4: people who have naturally dark skin, black hair and brown eyes run the risk of sunburn after about 40 minutes in the sun. 

Sun cream: not a licence to overdo it

Even if you have covered yourself from head to toe with sun cream, you should not overdo the sunbathing. Sun cream is not an all-purpose protective layer, particularly if it is applied too thinly. As a guideline, you should use at least 30 ml of sun cream to cover your whole body - and you may need more depending on your height and weight. 

Apply the cream at least half an hour before you go out into the sun, if possible while you are still at home or in the hotel. Experts advise adults to apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 20, while an SPF of 30 is the absolute minimum for children's sensitive skin. Use water-resistant products if possible; even with these, you should always reapply the cream after bathing. UV radiation is significantly more intense by the sea and in the mountains, and you should therefore choose a sun blocker or a product with an SPF of 50.

Artificial UV rays from the solarium

UV radiation is the biggest risk factor for skin cancer. This applies not only to the sun but also to artificial radiation in the solarium. Dermatologists therefore advise against going to the solarium. The law forbids young people aged under 18 to go to solariums in any case. 

MOT for the skin: self-checks and prevention

Regular skin checks do not prevent skin cancer. However, the earlier a skin tumour is found, the more likely it is that it can be treated successfully and non-aggressively.

Self-check

You know your skin better than anyone else and should therefore check it regularly for abnormal moles and liver spots. This is where the ABCDE rule comes in useful: 

  • A for asymmetry: moles that are irregular and asymmetric in shape rather than round or oval 
  • B for border: irregular, ragged edges, no clear demarcation from the surrounding skin, sometimes uneven, rough and jagged
  • C for colour: if the colour of a mole changes or the shade and colour are not uniform (a mixture of light and dark). Pay particular attention to moles speckled with pink, grey or black dots.
  • D for diameter: you should pay particular attention to moles that are more than two millimetres wide. Moles that are larger than five millimetres or hemispherical in shape should be checked by a doctor. 
  • E for evolution: if a mole changes noticeably over a period of three months, you should have it checked by a doctor. 

Use a hand mirror to help you see every part of your body. Start by checking your face, throat, neck, ears and scalp. You can use a hair dryer to part your hair. Now take a close look at your upper body, armpits, belly and legs. Sit down to check your feet (including the soles, toenails and between your toes) and genitals. 

Then stand in front of a large mirror to examine your back and the backs of your arms, legs and anal region. Finish by checking your forearms and hands.

Skin cancer screening

TK insurees can have their skin screened for cancer from the age of just 20. This screening examination can be carried out every two years by a dermatologist or a specialist in sexually transmitted diseases.