Skin cancer continues to be the most common cancer diagnosis in the United States. For many, focusing on how to avoid skin cancer with hotter, sunnier days in the summer becomes a top priority.
The good news: Your daily habits are your strongest defense against sun damage. In this blog, we’ll share the essential checklist for a sun-safe summer, focusing on five habits to prevent non-melanoma skin cancer this season.
Pay Attention to the UV Index
The ultraviolet (UV) index measures the intensity of the sun. The higher the number, the more intense the sun. The intensity of the sun matters to your skin because it means that the rays will be more likely to get past your skin’s protective barrier and cause damage to your skin at the cellular level, increasing the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.
Most weather forecasts include the UV index as part of this. Depending on where you live, the UV index may vary based on the season. While the index may vary by season in the northern region of the United States, the southern states have high levels all year, which means consistent protection is a non-negotiable habit.
A good rule of thumb? Check your weather app before you head out for the day. If the index is 3 or higher, make sure you’re protecting your skin from UV rays. The UV index typically peaks between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., which signals a good time to wear sunscreen as well as other clothing that can protect from the sun’s rays.
Protect Your Skin
While you may see sunscreen as a summer accessory, it’s the best layer of defense against the sun’s powerful UV rays. Wearing sunscreen serves as the first layer of protection from the sun. The higher the SPF, the more protection. Most dermatologists recommend a SPF of at least 30.
But, remember: sunscreen isn’t one and done. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating during activities outdoors.
Beyond sunscreen, there are physical products that can help keep your skin cool and safe.
- Wide-brimmed hats, which shade the face, ears, and back of the neck – areas where skin cancer frequently develops, but is often overlooked because they are hard to see in the mirror.
- UPF clothing, which feature sun-protective fabrics (often rated as UPF 50+) to give consistent coverage that won’t wash off or wear out during a long day in the sun.
- Sunglasses, which keep your eyes happy in the bright sun – but also protect the skin around the eyelids where it can be difficult to apply sunscreen.
Check Your Skin Each Month
Establishing a self-check skin ritual becomes the best way to create a baseline for your skin. This makes it easier to spot new or changing areas.
When you are checking your skin at home, remember to look for the ABCDE to keep it simple:
- Asymmetry: If you drew a line down the middle of the mole, do the two sides match? If not, it can indicate that one side is growing faster than the other.
- Border: Healthy moles have smooth, clearly defined edges. Is the edge of the spot blurry, jagged, or notched?
- Color: Is the color consistent? A single mole shouldn’t have multiple colors or shades.
- Diameter: What is the size of the mole? Pay attention if it’s larger than 6mm (which is about the size of a pencil eraser). Some cancers will present with smaller moles. Discuss larger moles with your doctor.
- Evolving: Check to see if any moles have changed in size, shape, or color. Does it itch, crust, or bleed? Any of these signs should be flagged with you dermatologist.
Paying attention to how moles are changing. If there is one spot that looks, acts, or grows differently than all others on your body, this should be discussed with your dermatologist.
Schedule an Annual Skin Exam
Have you had an annual skin exam this year? If not, now is the perfect time to get it on the calendar. An annual exam with a dermatologist is the best way to detect skin cancers early and get tips on how to avoid skin cancers from developing. (If you need help finding a dermatologist, search our Location Finder for a specialist near you!)
An annual skin exam with a dermatologist ensures they can detect any skin issues early. In addition, your monthly at-home skin checks become a good resource for information to inform the dermatologist of any key changes.
An annual skin exam with your dermatologist will focus on your entire body. This “head to toe” exam will take about 15 minutes. Your doctor will focus on areas that may be difficult to see on your own, like your scalp, the soles of your feet, and behind your ears.
If there is anything suspicious that requires a closer look, your doctor will use a dermascope – a handheld tool that has a magnifying lens with a special light. It gives them a deeper look at the pigment structures deep within the skin that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
There are typically three outcomes from a professional exam:
- The clean slate. No suspicious spots! All set until next year.
- The watch list. If there is a mole that looks a little different – called atypical – but not dangerous, your doctor may photograph it so they can see how it changes year over year.
- The biopsy. If a mole or spot hits one of the ABCDE flags, a quick, local biopsy will be taken for lab testing.
Beyond the exam, your annual skin exam with your dermatologist gives you an opportunity to ask any questions about how to avoid skin cancer, given your specific skin type and lifestyle.
Know Your Options
One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they turn 70. Even with proactive prevention and a solid skincare system in place, the risk is real for every skin cancer. The key to how to avoid skin cancer starts with having the right information about skin care and treatment options before you need them.
It’s important to discuss any issues you see in your at-home skin checks with your dermatologist. Together, you can build an action plan for what to do.
If a biopsy comes back positive for non-melanoma skin cancer, remember that surgery may not be your only option. Superficial Radiotherapy (SRT) offers a non-invasive treatment option as an alternative to traditional surgical options for non-melanoma skin cancers. By targeting low-voltage X-ray beams directly to the lesion, SRT effectively kills cancerous cells while sparing the healthy tissue around them. The result? No cutting, no scarring, and no downtime. You can continue your daily routine – and your sun season – without interruption.
Your 2026 Summer Skin Strategy
As we head into the brightest days of the year, sun safety becomes more than having a bottle of sunscreen at the ready. Knowing how to avoid skin cancer becomes important for all ages and skin types. From monitoring the UV index and wearing protective layers to doing regular at-home skin checks and seeing your dermatologist for an annual exam, you can get a head start on preventing skin issues and catching any cancerous moles or spots early.
Stay up-to-date with the latest information to protect yourself this sun season with our 2026 Skin Cancer Awareness Hub!
