In America, a person perishes from skin cancer every hour. Approximately, one in five Americans will acquire skin cancer during the course of their lifetime. The minimization of sunlight exposure is the most vital approach to protecting the skin. Obviously, avoiding indoor tanning beds, lamps and other exposures to radiant light can reduce the risks of skin cancer.

Sun protection coupled with a healthy diet are the first line of defense. Ozone depletion is associated to making humans more vulnerable to the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Radiation is attributed to the formation of extreme "free radicals" in the body. These detrimental cells increase the chances of cancer developing. Based on numerous clinical trials, antioxidants such as beta-carotene as well as other carotenoids have the ability to stabilize the activity of free radicals by ending the damaging chain reactions they initiate.

On the contrary, other studies counter the potency of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and selenium. Certain medical researchers theorize that antioxidant nutrition can be only absorbed via a well-balanced diet of many colorful vegetables and fruits and other nutrients opposed to supplementation. Conversely, other clinical trials suggest there is a lower risk of skin cancer for people who follow diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nut and seeds.

Amongst all the clinical trials on nutrition and skin cancer, a low-fat diet show evidence in reducing the risks. Evidence shows that high-fat diets may multiply the chances of skin cancer. Because diets high in fat have been found to suppress the immune system, skin cancer is one of the many risks.

Polyunsaturated fats, (in example most vegetable oils) represent the highest health hazard. The consumption of diets high in polyunsaturated fat symbolize that the body’s cells are comprised of more fat. Eaten in large portions, polyunsaturated fats are relatively unstable and more prone to free radicals than other fats.