Skin cancer is a condition that is usually viewed as an occurrence that is either through genes or unavoidable sunshine. Factually, the majority of skin cancers are highly determined by daily lifestyle decisions. In Australia, where the ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the highest in the world, these decisions can make or break the lifetime risk.

Medical records have sustained that as much as 95% of the skin cancers are as a result of UV exposure implying that they are mainly preventable. Among the people of Perth and Western Australia in general where UV is high all year round, one of the most effective privileges of safeguarding long-term health is adopting sun-conscious lifestyle habits.

Experts like Dr Shaun Segal in skin cancer argue that prevention is not about some kind of action- it is about daily and regular behaviour.

Based on the existing evidence and professional opinion, this article presents seven effective lifestyle modifications that have a real potential to reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.

The importance of Lifestyle in Preventing Skin Cancer.

Modifiable behaviours play a critical role in deciding the occurrence of the skin cancer as opposed to most cancers. Studies to the present day (2026) confirm that:

• Exposure to the sun over time is cumulative with increased risk.

   

• Severe sunburns, particularly in childhood, produce a high risk of melanoma.

   

• Frequent sun protection prevents the occurrence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

   

• The combination of prevention and early detection is dramatic in terms of the improvement of outcomes.

   

It does not imply that you have to stay home around the house, but these lifestyle adjustments imply that you have to enjoy the outdoors, but in a safe and smart way.

1. Turning on Make Daily Sun Protection into a Non-Negotiable Habit.

Why consistency matters

A large proportion of the Australians wear sun protection only at the beach or very hot days. Nonetheless, research indicates that an accidental daily dose of UV (walking, driving, or going on errands) is a major cause of UV damage over the lifetime.

The UV levels in Perth may reach dangerous levels even during cloudy and cool days and they are also high during the winter.

What to change

• Use a general purpose sunscreen of at least SPF 50 on exposed skin every day.

   

• When outside, reapply after every two hours.

   

• Use lip balm with SPF

   

• Have sunscreen on hand (car, bag, workplace)

   

The one practice can greatly lessen the risk of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma with time.

2. Change the Way You dress out in the Open air.

`Fashion as a defence mechanism.

One of the surest protection methods against UV radiation is protective clothing, as it does not go away during a wash, it does not wear out when in use during the day, and it does not need to be reapplied.

It has been demonstrated that UPF-rated garments offer uniform protection against UVB and UVA radiation.

Lifestyle upgrade

• Wear loose-fitting and tightly-woven clothes.

   

• Wear wide-brim hats (not caps)

   

• Wear sun protecting sunglasses.

   

• Shop UPF work, sport and leisure.

   

This change will prevent cumulative exposure to the sun in Western Australia among outdoor workers and those in the active population.

3. Any exposure to UV Peaks should be avoided at all times.

Understanding UV timing

In Australia, UV radiation is intense around 10 am and 4 pm with the summer being the most critical. The most damaging effect of exposure of the skin occurs during such hours.

The public health data has indicated that it is possible to limit the exposure of the skin to peak UV times, which will decrease the chances of sunburn and permanent skin damage.

Necessary lifestyle interventions.

• Book outdoor activity in the early morning or the late afternoon.

   

• Eat lunch in the shaded places.

   

• Arrange outdoor activities during the low-UV periods.

   

• Test the UV index in the every day like the weather forecast.

   

Such minor decisions on schedules accumulate in life.

4. Abstinence in Tanning Behaviours.

There is no safe tan

A tan is an apparent indication of damage of the skin-not wellness. Both the natural sunlight and artificial tanning machines destroy the DNA of the skin cells.

Evidence up to 2026 confirms:

• Any tan causes risk to skin cancer.

   

• The use of solarium before the age of 35 years contributes to the development of melanoma greatly.

   

• Constant tanning increases the ageing process and cancer in the skin.

   

Sun-seeking behaviour continues to exist with Australia having banned commercial solariums.

Lifestyle shift

• Abandon the notion that the tanned skin is healthy.

   

• Embrace natural skin tone

   

• Teach early childhood and adolescents on tanning myths.

   

Transforming the social attitude towards tanning is an effective preventive measure.

5. Carry out Monthly Check-ups on the Skin.

Initial diagnosis in the house.

Patients or family members often notice many skin cancers at the initial stage. Self-checks at the end of each month allow detecting changes at an early stage, at a time when treatment will be the easiest and the results the most positive.

What to look for

• New spots

   

• Alterations of size, form, or colour.

   

• Non-healing sores

   

• Lesions that appear to be different (ugly duckling sign).

   

Commonly missed areas

• Scalp

   

• Back

   

• Behind ears

   

• Soles of feet

   

• Under nails

   

Self-checks do not supersede professional examinations- but they are much more effective in early detection.

6. Become a Devotee of Routine Professional Skin Examinations.

The reason why lifestyle comprises medical care.

Prevention is more than just behavioural it involves a proactive medical check.

Experts in skin cancer:

• Early detection of the cancers before self inspections.

   

• Apply dermoscopy and imaging technology.

   

• Track changes over time

   

• Determine subtle or characteristic lesions.

   

Individuals with greater risk including fair-skinned people, those who have experienced skin cancer or were exposed to sunshine frequently find it useful to have regular or frequent examinations of their skin.

Physicians such as Dr Shaun Segal emphasize on early diagnosis and prevention in a long-term lifestyle management of skin health.

7. Love Your Skin with the Help of General Healthy Living.

Risk influencing lifestyle factors.

Although UV exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer, general health also contributes to the damage response by the body.

Some of the beneficial lifestyle interventions are:

• Quitting smoking (associated with a higher risk of SCC).

   

• Maintaining immune health

   

• The treatment of chronic disease.

   

• Staying hydrated

   

• Focusing on sleep and stressing.

   

Although no diet or supplement can help prevent skin cancer, a robust immune system assists the repair and observation of maimed cells at an early age.

What Makes These Lifestyle Changes More Australia-specific.

Australia’s combination of:

• High UV radiation

   

• Outdoor culture

   

• Long life expectancy

   

says, cumulative exposure is impossible–but controllable.

It is still the data that Australians that engage in regular sun-safe lifestyles are more likely to experience:

• Reduced cases of progressed skin cancer.

   

• Earlier detection

   

• Less complicated treatment required.

   

• Improved functional and cosmetic results.

   

Change in lifestyle is not fearful, but it is in control.

The way Dr Shaun Segal Promotes Prevention through Lifestyle.

Dr Shaun Segal incorporates lifestyle education in all the elements of patient care.

His approach includes:

• Sun protection education Prolonged sun protection education.

   

• Scheduled risk-based screening.

   

• Long-term monitoring

   

• Engaging patients in ownership of skin health.

   

Such collaboration between the doctor and the patient plays a crucial role in the prevention of skin cancer in the long run.

Conclusions: Little Things, Big Difference.

Prevention of skin cancer is not done by one act- making lifestyle decisions in everyday life.

By:

• Using daily sun protection

   

• Clothing. Use of protective clothing.

   

• Avoiding peak UV exposure

   

• Rejecting tanning

   

• Performing self-checks

   

• Arranging regular professional examinations.

   

• Supporting overall health

   

Australians stand a good chance of reducing their chances of skin cancer by a large margin even in high-UV areas such as Perth.

Prevention is effective, feasible and tested. The decisions that you make today will save your health over decades.