This treatment has the highest cure rate and saves healthy tissue. But the best way to defeat skin cancer is to avoid it. Researchers believe that most of the damage is done early. It takes 10-20 years for the damage to manifest, so we're expecting to see more cases. That is unless Americans get the message the way many Australians have.
Studies indicate that melanomas rates in Australian women are now dropping.
Other studies indicate that at the beach as many as 50 minutes elapse before the last member of a family applies their sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend sun block be applied 20 minutes before going outside, because the preparation needs sufficient time to activate. And according to Rigel, sun block should be reapplied every two hours. Even then, he recommends sitting under umbrella and wearing hats and long sleeves. Individuals who have a history of the disease need to be extra careful out in the sun.