Skin cancer is currently the most common form of cancer in the United States. Excessive sun exposure during the first 10 to 20 years of life greatly increases the risk of skin cancer. Blistering sunburns in youth result in an increased risk for developing melanoma.
Cancer is diagnosed in the skin more often than anywhere else in the body.
Half of the U.S. population will probably develop at least one skin cancer by the time they reach 65. Protecting skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays is important. Be alert to changes in the color or sizes of moles or freckles, which may be the first signs of cancer. Risk factors for skin cancer include excess unprotected exposure to the sun or other UV radiation sources, lack of skin pigmentation, and family history of skin cancer. People with fair skin and blue or green eyes who sunburn easily are at greatest risk of skin cancer.