Public Health Department
Skin Cancer Awareness
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The best way for people to prevent skin cancer is to protect themselves from the sun
Summer is a great time to have fun outdoors. It's also a time to take precautions to avoid sunburns, which can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays appears to be the most important environmental factor involved with developing skin cancer. During the summer months, UV radiation tends to be greater.
To help prevent skin cancer while still having fun outdoors, regularly use sun protective practices such as
- Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10 a.m.4 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage.
- Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best.
- Get a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
- Grab shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
- Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
Skin's Susceptibility to Burning
| Skin Type | Tanning and Sunburning History |
|---|---|
| I | Always burns, never tans, sensitive to sun exposure |
| II | Burns easily, tans minimally |
| III | Burns moderately, tans gradually to light brown |
| IV | Burns minimally, always tans well to moderately brown |
| V | Rarely burns, tans profusely to dark |
| VI | Never burns, deeply pigmented, least sensitive |
Though everyone is at risk for damage as a result of excessive sun exposure, people with skin types I and II are at the highest risk.
