Prevention Is Powerful: What We Can Control

Cancer can feel overwhelming. There are so many factors we cannot see, and so much that feels out of our hands.

But when it comes to skin cancer, there is something important to remember: prevention is powerful.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Yet it is also one of the most preventable. Research shows that up to 90% of skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds. That means daily habits truly matter.

During Cancer Prevention Month, we have talked about early detection, routine skin checks, and the importance of building sun-safe habits. This final reminder is simple. There is more within your control than you might think.

What We Can Control

We cannot change our past sun exposure. But we can shape what happens next.

We can choose protective clothing when we head outdoors.

We can apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to exposed skin.

We can seek shade when the sun is strongest, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

We can avoid tanning beds, which the World Health Organization classifies as carcinogenic to humans.

We can schedule annual skin exams and perform monthly self-checks.

None of these habits are complicated. But together, they significantly reduce cumulative UV exposure over time.

Why Consistency Matters

Skin cancer risk is closely tied to cumulative sun exposure. The damage builds gradually, often without noticeable warning signs. A few minutes here and there may not seem significant, but over decades, those moments add up.

The good news is that protection compounds, too.

Wearing a UPF 50+ shirt instead of a standard cotton tee can block over 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. Seeking shade during peak hours reduces intensity of exposure. Applying sunscreen properly lowers the amount of UV radiation that reaches your skin.

Small actions, repeated consistently, create meaningful change.

It Is Never Too Late to Start

Prevention does not require perfection. It requires intention.

Whether you have been sun-conscious for years or are just beginning to think about it, starting today still makes a difference. Reducing UV exposure now lowers future risk. Scheduling a skin check now increases the chance of catching something early.

There is power in that.

A Month of Awareness, A Lifetime of Habits

Cancer Prevention Month gives us a moment to pause and reflect. But prevention is not limited to one month on the calendar.

It lives in the everyday choices. The long sleeve before a walk. The hat before gardening. The sunscreen before errands. The appointment made before the year gets busy.

At UV Skinz, our mission has always been to make those choices easier. Not to create fear, but to create confidence. Not to limit time outside, but to make it safer.
Because when it comes to skin cancer, prevention is not just possible. It is powerful.