Now that you've lost those extra pounds, you don't want to wear a space suit to the beach party.  Sunscreen isn't perfect, so now what?

Rather than reversing the laws of nature and hibernating during the summer, try out a few ideas in addition to physical protection and sunscreen that may help your chances of staying clear from skin cancer.  Most of these have only been tested in animals to date, but the principles may protect you from more than skin cancer!

1.  Exercise - exercise lowers the risk of skin cancer in mice.

2.  Decrease stress - rodents subjected to stress were significantly less likely to develop skin cancer.  Lighten up your to-do-list.  Play with a child.  Remember, even God apparently had time to rest!

3.  Eat a healthy diet high in vegetables and low in fat and meat.  A recent Australian study demonstrated nearly double the risk of skin cancer in those who ate a meal high in meat and fat.  On the converse, risk was halved by a diet high in fruits and veges, especially leafy greens.

Great menu choices for a picnic or dinner after lunch on the beach include:
     - salads - with locally grown greens
     - artichokes - silymarin, a flavenoid present in artichokes may also help prevent prostate cancer
     - green tea - both as a beverage and in skin preparations - epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) present in green  
       tea may also help in the prevention of several other cancers, and possibly prevent breast cancer reocurrence
     - grapes- proanthocyanidins in grape seeds may offer protection
     - fish - especially fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and herring
     - cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, turnips, radishes
     - foods high in vitamin C - topical fruit peel has also been studied orally and topically
     - foods high in beta-carotene - carrots, pumpkin, red peppers, squash

Dietary chromium and nickel may increase the risk of sun related skin cancer.  Consider installing a water filter.