CancerExplained.org · Free health handout

Sun Safety Basics

Simple habits that prevent most skin cancer

Protect your skin every day

Seek shade when the sun is strongest, usually 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Shadow rule: if your shadow is shorter than you, the rays are strong.
Cover up with long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses that block 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays.
Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on exposed skin. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
Skip tanning beds. There is no safe tan from UV — a tan is a sign of skin damage.
UV passes through clouds. Protect your skin on cool and overcast days too, and near water, sand, and snow.

Sunburns early in life raise skin cancer risk later. Use shade, clothing, hats, and sunscreen together.
Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sun whenever possible.

People of every skin tone can get skin cancer.
Look over your skin regularly, including scalp, palms, soles, and nails.
Show a doctor any spot that is new, changing, growing, bleeding, or not healing.

Layer your protection — shade + clothing + hat + sunglasses + sunscreen — and show a doctor any spot that changes.

This handout is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about what is right for you.

Learn more in plain language: https://cancerexplained.org/prevention/sun-safety/ — free to copy and share for non-commercial education.