What to Eat to Beat Skin Cancer

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How a Healthy Diet Can Protect You from Skin Cancer
5 Diet Must-Haves to Beat Skin Cancer
Antioxidant-Rich Foods
7 Must-Know Skin Cancer Risk Factors

7 Must-Know Skin Cancer Risk Factors

By Samantha Shelton

New research reveals surprising reasons you may be at risk. Do any of these apply to you?

HPV

Human papillomavirus, which affects at least 50 percent of sexually active people, has been linked to cases of squamous cell carcinoma, according to a study published in a 2010 issue of the British Medical Journal. Talk to your gynecologist about protecting yourself against HPV and whether the HPV vaccine is a good option for you.

Acne Meds

Tetracycline and related antibiotics make your skin more sensitive to sunburn, so avoid sun exposure while taking them and always wear ample sunscreen before venturing outside.

Outdoorsy Weekends

Working indoors all week and then getting intense sun exposure on weekends, especially if you're exercising (sweat wipes away sunscreen, leaving your skin more vulnerable to UV penetration), can up your risk, according to the American Cancer Society.

The High Life

States such as Utah and New Hampshire, which are very mountainous, have more people who have developed melanomas than do, say, Wisconsin and New York, the CDC reports. The levels of UV radiation increase 4 to 5 percent for every 1,000-foot increase in altitude.

A Weakened Immune System

People who take prednisone, which can be used for asthma and other conditions, and immunosuppressant drugs are at an increased skin cancer risk because their immune defenses are lowered and less able to protect cells from UV damage.

Breast Cancer

One in eight women will get breast cancer during her lifetime. Having the disease ups the odds of developing melanoma, too, according to a study in the Irish Journal of Medical Science. As researchers investigate a possible genetic link between the two cancers, be sure to stay up-to-date with your breast exams.

Atypical Moles

People who have 10 or more atypical moles, which resemble melanoma but are benign, have 12 times the risk for developing melanoma compared with the general population, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Even if you have just one mole, be vigilant with self-skin checks.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, May 2011.

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healthtzars wrote:

A good diet also improves heart health and reduced the risk for diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

2/5/2013 10:45:09 PM Report Abuse

nupur00basak wrote:

very interesting.

10/12/2012 11:24:07 AM Report Abuse

flowerlady1111 wrote:

Good article. There has been a lot of research showing certain foods can help prevent cancer. I found a lot of information at http://www.foods-that-heal.com. Berries and red or purple grapes have a lot of cancer-fighting properties.

11/25/2011 06:06:18 PM Report Abuse

amy2944 wrote:

Really interesting and informative! Thanks for the great read :)

8/25/2011 07:44:48 AM Report Abuse

goetzel wrote:

What's the source for this? "In fact, research has shown that people who drank a daily antioxidant-rich beverage had 50 percent fewer free radicals in their blood after two weeks than those who didn't drink the blend -- and both groups were exposed to three to six steady hours of sun a day!"

6/21/2011 10:25:32 AM Report Abuse