Avoiding UV exposure can prevent skin cancer, but most people have already spent lots of time in the sun. Studies show that sun exposure in childhood and the teen years can lead to skin cancer later in life, but it is never too late to start prevention tactics. Avoiding the sun is the best defense, and wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 can help. Occupational exposure to coal, tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic, and radium may also increase risk, so it's best to minimize your contact with any of these substances. Approximately 800,000 cases are diagnosed every year.
Skin cancer can occur at any age, but older adults are the most at risk.
Males and females are at approximately the same risk for skin cancer. In recent years, skin cancer has been on the rise in this country. While this increase may be due to improved public awareness and detection, most researchers believe that increased UV exposure is also to blame. Despite knowing about the dangers of sun exposure, many Americans still strive to get the perfect tan. Atmospheric changes may be another contributing factor to higher skin cancer rates.