| Reducing Your Risk Since melanoma is most often caused by being in the sun too much, it makes sense that people should try to avoid or protect themselves from the sun's harmful rays. This is especially important between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM, when the sun's rays are the strongest. Protect yourself by wearing wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Always use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher on all exposed skin � even in the winter � and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. Since early detection of melanoma is an important part of prevention, you should examine your skin every month. The best time to do this is after a bath or shower, standing in front of a full-length mirror. Use a handheld mirror to help you view areas that are difficult to see. Examine all moles or markings, and look for any changes in the number, size, shape, or color of these markings. |
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