skin-cancer-preventioniOne in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. That’s a rather scary statistic. And if you’ve had skin cancer once, you’re at risk for getting it again. There’s good news for sun-lovers, though: a new study slated to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology shows that an inexpensive, readily available form of vitamin B3 could help reduce the chance of recurring skin cancer for patients who’ve already had it once.

The study involved almost 400 people, all of whom had already had at least two non-melanoma skin cancers in the past. It found that taking nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, reduced their likelihood of developing new skin cancers by nearly one fourth. Nicotinamide is available as an over-the-counter supplement that costs less than $10 per month.

Does this mean that you can spend as much time in the sun as you want now? No. While taking a B3 supplement is a great idea, you still need to take practical precautions to help prevent skin cancer. A few simple lifestyle tweaks can reduce your risk of skin cancer even more.

  • Don’t let yourself sunburn. Research shows that short, intense sun exposure (like getting a blistering sunburn) raises your risk of skin cancer significantly.
  • Never, ever, use tanning beds. Tanning beds use UV light, which is what causes the damage which leads to skin cancer. In addition, because you don’t burn with UVA-only tanning beds, you can be exposed to a much higher dose of UV light than you think.
  • If you must be outdoors for long periods, seek the shade—especially between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
  • Cover up. While shorts and sleeveless shirts may feel great, they leave your skin vulnerable. If you’re not swimming, wear loose, light-colored clothes that protect your arms and legs. And a hat not only protects your delicate facial skin, it’s a great fashion statement.
  • Wear sunscreen—preferably zinc-oxide based. A micronized zinc-oxide sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher protects your skin longer than chemical sunscreens and isn’t absorbed by the skin. For best protection, apply about two tablespoons half an hour before you go outside, and reapply often through the day.

Sun damage is the leading cause of skin cancer. Simple changes to your lifestyle in small ways can go a long way toward reducing your risk.