3 ways cancer survivors can stay healthy this summer
June 12, 2026
Summertime can be exciting. Think: trips to the beach, backyard barbecues and baseball games. But the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can be harmful, especially if you’re undergoing cancer treatment.
So, how can cancer patients and survivors stay healthy while still enjoying the sunshine? Dermatologist Hung Doan, M.D., Ph.D., and radiation oncologist Pamela Schlembach, M.D., shared these three tips on UT MD Anderson’s Cancerwise podcast.
1. Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate some more
When you’re in the sun for a long time, the heat will cause your body to sweat as a way to cool you down. But those fluids need to be replenished in your body to avoid dehydration. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also cause dehydration. You may experience a loss of fluids from side effects like sweating, diarrhea or vomiting.
That’s why it’s so important to drink plenty of water, especially when you’re out in the sun.
“A lot of people don’t drink enough water, and that can lead to symptoms like fatigue and headache,” says Schlembach. “People often don’t realize that drinks like coffee, tea, soda and alcohol can actually make dehydration worse. So, it’s best to hydrate with water.”
If you’re not crazy about the taste of water, try adding fruits or vegetables. Or, you could mix one-quarter cup of juice with a pitcher of water. Whatever it takes to get your water intake!
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How cancer survivors can stay healthy in summer
View all Cancerwise podcast episodes2. Use sunscreen
When you’re undergoing cancer treatment, your skin is especially sensitive to sunlight. That’s why UT MD Anderson recommends using sunscreen of at least SPF30 if you’re going to be outdoors. The sun protection factor (SPF) is a measurement of how well the sunscreen will protect you from getting a sunburn.
At UT MD Anderson, we also recommend that your sunscreen be broad-spectrum and water resistant. Broad-spectrum means that the sunscreen protects you from both UVA and UVB sun rays. Be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or going in the water.
There are two broad classes of sunscreen, and they work in different ways to protect you.
- Physical or mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that sit on your skin’s surface. These ingredients block UV rays from the sun.
- Chemical sunscreens contain organic ingredients like avobenzone, octocrylene and oxybenzone, which absorb UV rays to prevent damage to your skin.
Studies have shown that, when used as directed, both classes of sunscreen are considered effective in blocking UV rays.
Not sure how much sunscreen to apply? Doan recommends using the “Teaspoon Rule.” That is, you should apply:
- 1 teaspoon to your head, neck and scalp
- 1 teaspoon on each arm
- 1 teaspoon to the chest and stomach
- 1 teaspoon to the back
- 2 teaspoons on each leg
Sunscreen also comes in different forms, such as lotions and creams, powders and sprays.
Doan recommends cream and lotion sunscreens over spray sunscreens. Here’s why:
- The quality of application depends on how far away you spray yourself from the can.
- The spray comes out in a cone shape. So, the areas of your skin that do not get sprayed are not getting sunscreen and are not protected from the sun.
- You risk breathing in some of the propellants and sunscreen ingredients. Recent studies found that sunscreen ingredients can be inhaled. Additionally, other studies have found that some propellant sunscreen products contained benzene and benzene byproducts, which are carcinogens.
If you choose to use spray sunscreen, make sure you apply it by spraying it on your skin, then massaging it in. And never spray it directly on your face. Spray it into your hands, then gently massage it onto your face.
3. Wear sun-protective clothing
When it comes to protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, your clothing is very important.
Sun-protective clothing is graded using Ultraviolet Protection Factor, commonly called UPF. The UPF measures how much UV radiation can reach your skin through fabric. Generally speaking, the higher the UPF number, the better sun protection it provides.
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View all Cancerwise podcast episodes“UPF clothing also comes in arm sleeves as well,” notes Doan. “So, if you’re wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt, you can still put on sun-protective sleeves when you go outside.”
The fabric in sun-protective clothing is woven tightly, making it more dense and able to block UV rays. Sun-protective clothing is meant to hold up, even after several washes. That said, if you notice stains on your clothing or that the weaving is tattered or no longer intact, it is probably time to purchase new UPF gear.
Shop for UT MD Anderson-branded UPF gear.
Clothing isn’t just limited to tops and bottoms. Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat to protect your head and face from harmful UV rays and wear UV-protective sunglasses to protect your eyes.
To hear the full conversation with Doan and Schlembach, including how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, what insect repellants are safe to use and how to treat sunburn, listen to the podcast.
Request an appointment at UT MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.