Skin Cancer Prevention

While you enjoy the outdoors this summer, protect yourself from skin cancer by using sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing sunglasses, a hat, and sun-protective clothing.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types, called basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. However, melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous, especially among young people. Most melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light in sunlight or tanning beds.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but some things put you at higher risk, like having—

• A lighter natural skin color.
• A personal or family history of skin cancer.
• Exposure to the sun through work and play.
• A history of sunburns early in life.
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
• Blue or green eyes.
• Blond or red hair.

To protect yourself and your family—

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Put on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.

Take precautions against sun exposure every day of the year, especially during midday hours (10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage. UV rays can reach you on cloudy days as well as sunny days. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. The UV rays from them are as dangerous as the UV rays from the sun.

More Information

• Skin Cancer
• Protect Yourself from the Sun
• Sun Safety at Schools: What You Can Do ( 6 pages, 244KB)
• Cáncer de piel
• Send an eCard