14 Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer (Besides Sunscreen)

Of course, you need sunscreen: But skin cancer prevention requires so much more. Here’s expert advice on keeping your skin safe.

The real deal with sunscreen


There’s no way around it: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (mainly from the sun) is a major risk factor for most skin cancers, not to mention wrinkles, premature aging, and vision loss. According to the American Cancer Society, UV rays damage DNA in skin cells, which cause abnormalities in cell growth. And while, yes, everyone should properly apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen—be sure to follow these dos and don’ts—sunscreen alone can’t fully protect you, warns the American Academy of Dermatology. Check out some more surprising causes of skin cancer.

Pop this vitamin regularly


“Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B-3 that’s been shown to help protect against skin cancer,” says Kim Nichols, MD, a dermatologist in Greenwich, Connecticut, and spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation. “It fights free radical production and also repairs DNA that’s been destroyed by UVA light, which can lead to skin cancer.” Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a person’s risk of developing a secondary nonmelanoma skin cancer was reduced by 23 percent after taking 500 mg of nicotinamide twice daily for 12 months. “If you have a history of a basal or squamous cell carcinoma or if you’re fair-skinned and live in a very sunny area, like Florida or California, talk to your physician about taking nicotinamide,” says Dr. Nichols.


Get car smart


About 53 percent of skin cancers in the United States develop on the left side of the body, which happens to be the drivers’ side, notes a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. To shield skin from dangerous rays while in a vehicle, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying a transparent window film made to block UVA rays. (Apparently, while car windows already filter out UVB rays, only partially-treated windshields protect against UVA rays.)


Add an antioxidant to your AM routine


“Antioxidants play a huge role in skin cancer prevention,” says Dr. Nichols. “I recommend using a topical vitamin C serum under your sunscreen daily to help fight off free radical skin cell damage from the sun and the environment.” When shopping, look for formulations that contain between 7 and 12 percent ascorbic acid.


Wash your new sundress before you wear it


It turns out that tossing your new cotton (or cotton-blend) clothes into the washing machine two to three times before wearing can often permanently increase their sun-protection factor. (It has to do with the fiber shrinkage, notes the Skin Cancer Foundation.) For extra safety, consider including SunGuard in the load as well. This laundry add-in contains the sunscreen Tinosorb, which increases the sun-protective factor of clothes to 30. And it’ll stay that way for 20 washes.


Cover up better at the beach


“Clothing is far superior to sunscreen when it comes to skin cancer prevention at the beach,” says Estee Williams, MD, assistant clinical professor in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. However, not all cover-ups are created equal. For instance, once a T-shirt gets wet, it’s protection value decreases to about a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 3, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Instead, look for beach cover-ups that have a UPF value of 30 or higher. “I recommend Coolibar and Mott50 products,” says Dr. Williams.


Use protective makeup


“Makeup, whether it contains SPF or not, is inherently sun-protective due to the pigments and minerals it contains,” says Dr. Williams. “That said, all women who wear makeup should look for brands that also have broad spectrum SPF in them because the benefit is additive.” Bonus: A lot of SPF-infused foundations have other good-for-your-skin perks, like antioxidants.


See the derm


Between the ages of 18 and 40, you should see a dermatologist for a full-body exam every two years. After age 40, go annually. “We can spot moles that look suspicious before they turn into something that’s dangerous,” says Dr. Nichols. “Plus, early skin cancers tend to be slower growing, so when caught early, you can prevent a lot of morbidity.” Also: Keep an eye out for these 10 signs you need to see a dermatologist ASAP.

Exercise outdoors during these hours


“Studies show that long-distance runners have higher rates of skin cancer than others, likely due to prolonged sun exposure,” notes Dr. Williams. No matter if it’s a bright day or overcast, the sun’s rays are at their strongest and most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to the CDC. “Because of this, it’s best to schedule any outdoors workouts before or after these peak hours,” says Dr. Williams. If you have to be outside when the sun’s directly overhead, wear a wide-brimmed hat. And when you are outdoors exercising, don’t forget these stay-safe tips.


Moisturize better


Dr. Williams highly recommends using a daily moisturizer with added SPF protection, noting that “with each layered product that has sunscreen, the protection increases.” The problem? A brand-new study in the journal PLOS ONE found that those who use SPF-infused moisturizers tend to miss the area around the eyelids (and particularly near the nose), which is especially vulnerable to skin cancer. Maybe consider a tinted eye cream with SPF.


Wear protective clothes off the beach, too


Simply wearing clothes is a form of skin cancer prevention—but not all clothing offers equal protection. For example, a typical T-shirt is less protective than wearing SPF 15, notes the CDC. Your best sun-protective bets: Dark and bright colored clothing (which absorb more harmful UV rays than their light-colored counterparts) and items with a tight weave or a heavy fabric (like polyester, Lycra, nylon, or denim). For hats, choose one with a three-inch or greater brim to shield ears, neck, face, and eyes—and one made from a tightly woven fabric, like canvas. For more on how to buy the best in sun-protective clothes, see what dermatologists have to say.


Take care of your lips


Did you know that lips have barely any melanin, which means that have very little natural protection from the sun’s dangerous rays? It’s true. That’s why it’s important to either wear lip balm or a lipstick daily with an SPF of 15 or higher. “It’s especially important for those with a history of skin cancer, frequent cold sores, or smokers, all of whom are at an increased risk of skin cancer on the lip,” says Dr. Williams. Just remember: Super-shiny lip glosses actually attract UV rays to your lips, putting them at an increased risk of damage. Here are some of the best lip balms with SPF.


Upgrade your sunglasses


Wearing sunglasses shield the delicate skin around the eyes from dangerous UV exposure, making this an easy skin cancer prevention strategy. The best part: Most sunnies sold in the United States block both UVA and UVB rays already, regardless of their price tag. To amp your protection, however, the CDC suggests opting for wraparounds that block rays from the sides as well.


Add this to your PM beauty routine


Retinoids (aka vitamin A derivatives) may help prevent basal cell carcinoma, a non-melanoma skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, which is why Dr. Nichols recommends using them every night. “Retinoids become ineffective when exposed to the sun, that’s why you want to use them in the evening,” she says. “They work to help repair DNA damage while you’re sleeping.” It’s best to start with a retinol (the over-the-counter version of a retinoid) that’s under 1 percent because a higher concentration can be irritating at first. Learn more about the differences between retinol and retinoid.


Never indoor tan


According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, tanning beds and lights are classified as carcinogens, meaning exposure increases the risk of developing melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell skin cancers. That means avoiding these devices is an excellent means of skin cancer prevention. If you need that bronzed look, consider a self-tanner instead.

Is Coconut Water Good for You?

Alternatives for plain water are trending—but that doesn’t mean you should jump on the bandwagon for every new water craze. There’s everything from mineral water to alkaline water. Coconut water is another common and popular water variety, but is coconut water good for you? Here’s what science says so far about the benefits of coconut water.

What is coconut water?

Coconut water is the clear liquid found in green coconut fruit centers, according to Caroline Apovian, MD, director of the Nutrition and Weight Management Center at the Boston Medical Center and professor at the Boston University School of Medicine. As the coconut ages and turns brown, the water solidifies turning into coconut meat. This coconut meat could become coconut milk, NPRreports.  

Is coconut water good for you?

Asking, “is coconut water good for you” is a misnomer or kind of a trick question. Coconut water does have two main science-backed health benefits—it provides electrolytes like potassium and sodium, and it’s good for rehydration after physical activity or after illnesses that cause vomiting or diarrhea, says Ali Webster, PhD, RD, the Associate Director of Nutrition Communications for the International Food Information Council Foundation. Still, there is very little human research on the benefits of coconut water over plain, run-of-the-mill H20. One study in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise reported that coconut water replaced bodily fluids as efficiently as sports drinks and only slightly better than water. The athletes, however, preferred the taste of sports drinks—meaning you have to like the taste of coconut water to reap the benefits.

Although it’s an acquired taste, if you do want something healthier than a sports drink, coconut water could still be a good albeit unnecessary option. Most people aren’t professional athletes and don’t exercise long or intensely enough to really need the extra electrolytes from coconut water, Webster says. That’s why Dr. Apovian says it doesn’t replace her regular water intake because she doesn’t want the extra calories. Even though coconut water has less sugar than some of the unhealthiest things at the supermarket like regular soda or juices, the calories still add up, Dr. Apovian says. As for the benefits, there’s also plenty of other ways to get potassium from foods such as potatoes, bananas, beans, spinach, and legumes, Webster says. “These foods provide other beneficial nutrients that coconut water doesn’t, like fiber and other vitamins and minerals,” she says.

How to drink coconut water?

Is coconut water good for you? It could be a healthier alternative for other non-water beverages. For example, Dr. Apovian doesn’t drink alcohol and instead uses coconut water—like this one—to make tasty mocktails. “When I’m looking to relax on my own or with friends, I like to mix coconut water, pomegranate juice, or small amounts of tart cherry juice, and something fizzy like sparkling water,” she says. So feel free to dip your toes into this trend, and note that there are only a few potential benefits of coconut water.  

'I'm just livin': 108-year-old woman reveals she drinks one glass of wine every Friday

It's the eve of her 109th birthday, and Annie Wilson is treating herself to a glass of wine - as she does every Friday, and has done for years. 

That one small, weekly glass has been something of a ritual for Annie, who scoffs at the suggestion that she might follow a strict health routine to stay well.  

Annie, who has spent her whole life in North Carolina, insists there is no secret formula to living this long. 

In fact, the one thing she seems set on is taking everything in her stride. 

'So many people have asked me that and I don't do anything special. I'm just livin',' Wilson told KHOU 11. 

'Just livin'.'

Just livin': Annie Wilson, pictured a year ago on her 108th birthday at her care home, says she doesn't overthink her health or longevity, and she enjoys a glass of wine every Friday

Annie told KHOU 11 she had a simple upbringing with an older sister, seven older brothers, and a younger brother in Matthews, a suburb of Charlotte, where she would cook with her mother and work on the family farm. 

'We had a good time, we didn't know anything about being lonesome or bored,' Wilson told KHOU 11. 'We just stuck right there and did whatever was to do.'

She is seeing this year's birthday in with a party at her home, the Brookdale Carriage Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her bevvy of young friends. Her husband passed away in 1993, and her siblings are no longer around.

Her longevity has made her, unsurprisingly, something of a celebrity figure in the area, with people clamoring to know what's special about Annie, the chatty, upbeatm super-centenarian. 

She is as nonplussed as the world's top aging researchers, who still can't quite explain why the body degrades as it does in some people, and not in others. 

We know women are more likely to hit 110, and nearly 70 percent of the people recorded to have hit that milestone were white.

But we don't know much else. 

All of the prevailing theories we've had about super-aging have hit roadblocks in recent years. 

We thought super-agers - people who live relatively healthily past 100 - reached a point when they were aging more slowly, driving some scientists to say human life may be limitless. 

But that trend - of increasingly aging super-agers - has started to taper off. 

In a bid to bottle up the power of longevity, an Australian geneticist and Harvard Medical School professor, David Sinclair, has started taking his own cocktail of the enzyme - and feeding it to his entire family - which he believes could allow him to live until at least 150 years old.

He believes there is no limit on human lifespan, and that humans will one day be able to achieve immortality, and he found in his research that a coenzyme called NAD+, which is abundant in young humans, helps to preserve cells. In one study on mice, Sinclair showed that he could reverse some aging markers by boosting their levels of NAD+.

He has yet to prove its effects in humans, but he is determined to spend his life trying - while Annie sits back, happily, and enjoys her years with a tipple and friends.  

Now an average of ONE rasher of bacon a day will increase your risk of bowel cancer by a fifth, experts warn

Eating moderate amounts of ham, bacon and and red meat still raises the risk of bowel cancer, a major study suggests.

Scientists compared the risk between people who stick to NHS guidelines on red and processed meat consumption - 70g a day - and those who don't. 

They found those who eat more than recommended face a fifth higher risk of bowel cancer, compared to those who eat smaller amounts.

Researchers led by a team at the University of Oxford followed nearly 500,000 people for almost six years.  

Some 2,609 of the participants - who were aged between 40 and 69 at the start of the study - went on to develop bowel cancer, which is more common in older people. 

The study found people consuming an average of 76g per day of red and processed meat had a higher risk to those who ate 21g or less a day.  

For red meat only, the risk was around 15 per cent higher for people who ate 54g per day - a lamb chop, compared with those who had 8g per day.

For processed meat only, the risk was 19 per cent higher for those who ate 29g per day - a slice of bacon, compared with those eating around 5g per day.

Existing evidence points to a higher bowel cancer risk for every 50g of processed meat a person eats per day. 

But the new study found that risk increases at just 25g per day - a third of what the average daily intake is. 

Professor Tim Key co-authored the study and is deputy director at the University of Oxford's cancer epidemiology unit.

Bowel cancer and its development explained in simple terms

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WHAT IS BOWEL CANCER? 

Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum.

Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.

Symptoms include:

• Bleeding from the bottom
• Blood in stools
• A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme, unexplained tiredness
• Abdominal pain

Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they:

• Are over 50
• Have a family history of the condition
• Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel
• Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease
• Lead an unhealthy lifestyle

Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy.

More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis.

This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages.

According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.

It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute.

He said the results back the substantial evidence that link eating too much red and processed meats to a heightened risk of bowel cancer. 

Professor Key added: 'Most previous research looked at people in the 1990s or earlier, and diets have changed significantly since then.

WHO SAYS RED MEAT RAISES THE RISK OF BOWEL CANCER? 

Red meat - such as beef and lamb - 'probably increases your risk of bowel cancer', according to the NHS.

And processed meats - like sausages and bacon - carry a similar risk.

The NHS and American Institute of Cancer Research both recommend we limit our consumption to around 70g (2.4oz) a day.

These recommendations came about after the 2011 Iron and Health report from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition concluded red and processed meat probably raise our bowel cancer risk.

However, the report could not identify the exact amounts that are safe to eat.

The same survey found the average UK adult eats 70g of red meat a day.

The World Cancer Research Fund's 2007 report Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer also said the link between red meat and the disease is 'convincing'.

The NHS therefore recommends those eating 90g or more of red meat a day lower their intake to 70g.

'So our study gives a more up-to-date insight that is relevant to meat consumption today.' 

The World Cancer Research Fund already warns there is strong evidence that eating processed meat causes bowel cancer.

An array of studies conducted in recent years have made the link between the killer disease and regularly eating salami, bacon and ham.

Eating a lot of red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, is also thought to increase the risk, according to the WCRF.

The World Health Organisation classifies processed meat as carcinogenic and red meat as probably carcinogenic.

In light of the evidence, the NHS and American Institute of Cancer Research both recommend consumption is limited to around 70g (2.4oz) a day.

One rasher of bacon typically weighs 31g (1oz), a sausage is around 66g (2.3oz), and a slice of ham 20g (0.7oz). 

The latest study of meat and bowel cancer, part-funded by Cancer Research UK, was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. 

Dr Julie Sharp, CRUK's head of health information, said: 'The Government guidelines on red and processed meat are general health advice.

'This study is a reminder that the more you can cut down beyond this, the more you can lower your chances of developing bowel cancer.

'This doesn't necessarily mean cutting out red and processed meat entirely, but you may want to think about simple ways to reduce how much you have and how often.'

Dr Sharp added: 'Although breaking habits we've had for a long time can be hard, it's never too late to make healthy changes to our diet.

'You could try doing meat-free Mondays, looking for recipes using fresh chicken and fish, or swapping meat for pulses like beans and lentils in your usual meals.'

Around 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK, says Bowel Cancer UK.

And the killer disease affects around 40 per 100,000 adults each year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute. 

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

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Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count

• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain

• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on

• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower fat and lower sugar options

• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)

• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts

• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day

• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day

'Negative calorie' foods do NOT exist: Scientists debunk myth foods such as celery require more calories to digest than they actually contain

It's long been claimed that some foods take more calories to digest than what they  actually contain.

But research has now suggested 'negative calorie' foods, as they are branded, are nothing more than a myth.

Lizards chowed down on celery-based meals in what is thought to be one of the first studies to test the theory.

The reptiles held on to around a quarter of the foods' calories after digestion and excretion - busting the idea that so called 'negative-calories' exist. 

Celery is just one food considered to be negative calorie, alongside cucumber, lettuce and broccoli among others.

The study, led by Katherine Buddemeyer from the University of Alabama, used a group of bearded dragon lizards.

Their metabolic rate - how much energy is required for the body to carry out basic functions - was calculated. 

The lizards were fed meals of diced celery equal to five per cent of their body mass - something they would willingly eat as part of their omnivore diet.

Faeces and urine samples were collected after they ate to determine how much energy was lost.

The findings showed that the lizards used about 33 per cent of the calories in the meal for digestion and about 43 per cent were excreted. 

HOW MANY CALORIES DO I NEED EACH DAY? 

The basic amount of calories an average adult needs per day is 2,000kcal for women or 2,500kcal for men.

This is based on the amount of energy the body needs to carry out basic functions and to walk and work throughout the day.

People who exercise a lot need to eat more calories to fuel their efforts, and young people and children burn more energy, too.

If you eat more calories than you burn in a day, you will get fatter.

Eating fewer calories than you burn will make you lose weight.

Foods which are processed and have high levels of carbohydrate, sugar and salt have higher calorie numbers than fresh fruit and vegetables.

Example calorie counts include:

• A McDonald's Big Mac contains 508kcal
• A two-finger KitKat contains 106kcal
• A banana contains 95kcal
• An apple contains 47kcal

That meant that the animals retained about 24 per cent of the calories from the celery - however, it was still a minute amount.

The authors wrote: 'By evaluating these energy tradeoffs, we determined bearded dragons to experience a net gain in energy from their celery meals. However, this gain is rapidly abolished by the lizard’s resting metabolism.'

Although the study only looked at one animal, the researchers made a few assumptions about how this could be translated to humans.  

'The same is undoubtedly true for humans,' they said in the report of their findings published on bioRxiv. 

'Those foods touted as negative calorie do generate a net energy gain; however this gain is quickly abolished by the body’s own basal rate of metabolism.'

The researchers used the example of a 132lb (60kg) woman to suggest that humans would retain around 19 to 50 per cent of the calories from these foods.

That's assuming 25 per cent of the energy is used for digestion and absorption of food, five per cent is lost in urine and 30 per cent in faeces. 

A meal of five per cent of a woman's body mass - the same that was given to the lizards - would equate to 6.6lbs (3kg) of celery, which would only sustain the woman for six hours of doing no activity.

She would need to consume 28lbs (12.6kg) of raw celery to fuel her day, which the researchers said unlikely that anyone could achieve.

But, they said, it does make an ideal food to aid weight loss, and said: 'The central aim of the majority of weight loss programs is to achieve a negative energy balance.

'Rather than labelling such foods as "negative calorie" it would be more accurate to pitch these foods as "negative budget", the consumption of which will favour a daily negative energy budget, and hence weight loss.'

Essentially, low calorie foods will not take more energy to digest than they do contain, but they can easily be burned off quickly.   

The study has been submitted to the Journal of Experimental Biology and is under review, according to Live Science. 

Dr Sarah Brewer, a nutritionist and medical director at Healthspan, accepted there is 'nonsense' talked about 'negative-calorie' foods.

However, she said this study doesn't confirm that a person may use more calories to burn a food than it contains. 

She said: 'It would be great to disprove this theory but, this study doesn’t do that, for it was done in lizards. 

'Lizards are cold-blooded and have to obtain their heat for the sun and their metabolism is very different to that of humans. 

'Humans are warm-blooded and generate their own heat, and therefore would use a significant amount of calories to do so. Sadly, this study doesn’t really stack up for me.' 

Learn the nine best superfoods for boosting your metabolism

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