Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer1, accounting for one-third of all cancers in the United States2. Sun exposure adds up day after day, not just when you go to the pool or beach. Fortunately, you can take steps to minimize the harmful effects of the sun and help prevent skin cancer or catch it early before it spreads1.
• Limit your outside time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
• Wear clothes to cover up as much skin as possible.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat that protects your neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.
• Apply sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher to dry skin at least 30 minutes before going outside.
• Wear sunglasses to block UV rays.
But while you are doing your part to pamper the largest organ in your body, you may still be at risk for developing skin cancer. Approximately 10 percent of people who develop melanoma (a potentially deadly form of skin cancer) inherit genes that cause the disease4. Anyone can develop skin cancer5. That’s why it is so important to examine your skin for suspicious moles or other spots. Even if you have spent a lifetime in the sun or even developed skin cancer, it’s never too late to start protecting your skin.
