Nonmelanoma skin cancer rates rise 300% since 1994

What kind of threat is skin cancer?

According to skincancer.org, there has been a tremendous rise in the reported numbers of skin cancer incidences since they were last measured in 1994.  More than 3.5 million cases are reported each year in the US.  Skin cancer poses a very serious threat to the health of Americans.

What causes skin cancer?

Most skin cancers are caused by sun exposure.  A history of sunburn increases your risk.  Studies have also confirmed that people with a history of skin cancer are twice as likely to develop other cancers, such as lung or heart cancer.

What can we do to protect ourselves?

• Wear a hat, preferably a sun protection hat with a wide brim (2 1/2" to 3 1/2" brim should be sufficient).  A baseball cap is better than nothing, but a brimmed hat is preferable so that it shades the back of your neck.
• Limit your sun exposure and avoid tanning (spray tanning is a safe alternative).
• Wear sunscreen with a high SPF rating, especially during the hours of the day where the sun's rays are the most direct (roughly 10am to 2pm in most places)