UV radiation greatly accelerates this process and causes small breaks in the DNA of skin cells. This damaged DNA may cause a cell to ultimately form a cancer. The most common cancer is the U.S. is skin cancer, affecting approximately 600,000 people per year. The rates of each of these types of skin cancer are increasing, and the vast majority of cases occur in fair-skinned individuals. Thus, these are the areas to target preventive measures.
Most melanomas occur on the torso in men and on the legs in women.
Because these areas may not get a great deal of continual sun exposure, the less pigmented skin is subject to more damage during a short-term, intense sun burn. The greatest risk for melanoma occurs in those who have a propensity to burn, who have a family history of melanoma, or who have certain types of moles. It is very important to see your doctor for a thorough examination and assessment of your risk for developing skin cancer. The first myth that I want to clear up is that cancer parlors, sometimes called tanning spas, are safe. They are not.