Tips to prevent skin cancer

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – One in five people will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, but experts say it doesn’t happen overnight.

According to health professionals, skin cancer evolves slowly over time—unless you take steps to protect your skin.

Surgeon Robert Skaggs of the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center warns that UV rays are always present, even on cloudy days.

“Those UV rays cause brown spots, which some people call age spots, and they also cause wrinkles,” he said. “But the worst thing they do is damage the DNA in our skin.”

Skaggs says prevention is key and recommends using specific skin products and protective clothing.

“We recommend sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher every day, or a hat,” he added. These precautions help prevent not only skin cancer but also aging signs like wrinkles and skin thinning.

Even after summer ends, Dr. Skaggs encourages everyone to stay vigilant about sun protection year-round