Protect yourself from the sun.

Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable.

Try these tips:

Avoid midday sun.

Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.

Stay in the shade.

When you're outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat help, too.

Don't skimp on sunscreen.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.

Eat a healthy diet:

Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can't guarantee cancer prevention, it might reduce your risk.

Consider these guidelines:

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as whole grains and beans.

Maintain a healthy weight. 

Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-calorie foods, including refined sugars and fat from animal sources.



Limit processed meats. 

A report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, concluded that eating large amounts of processed meat can slightly increase the risk of certain types of cancer.