Perhaps most importantly, skin cancer and other UV-related adverse health effects are largely preventable if sun protection practices are followed early and consistently. Educating school staff and students about sun safety can prevent many health problems related to overexposure to the sun. The incidence of skin cancer is greater than the incidence of breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and kidney cancers combined. In the United States, about 1.3 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year. 47,700 new cases of malignant melanoma will be diagnosed in 2001.
Skin color is the most important factor determining a person's risk for skin cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma usually appears on overexposed skin on the face, ears, lips, and particularly the nose. Rarely does basal cell carcinoma result in death, but it can spread and cause more serious health problems. Basal cell carcinomas can start as a red patch or shiny bump that is pink, red, or white. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common of skin cancers, accounting for about 20 percent of skin cancers. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, it is more aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body and may result in death.