Skin Cancer
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When you’re having fun outdoors, it’s important to plan ahead so you don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun. Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays in as little as 15 minutes. It can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. Even if it’s cool and cloudy, you still need protection—UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. People with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. These include family history, a large number of moles or unusual moles, fair skin, and exposure to the sun or artificial UV light from indoor tanning devices.
Quiz
Key Facts
- About 65%-90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
- UV rays can reach you on cloudy days and can reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand and snow.
- Tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your skin after being outside, whether sunburn or suntan, indicates damage from UV rays.
- Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.
- Fair-skinned men and women aged 65 and older and people with atypical moles or more than 50 moles are at greater risk for developing melanoma.
Media
Indoor tanning has been linked with skin cancers including melanoma (the deadliest type of skin cancer), squamous cell carcinoma, and cancers of the eye (ocular melanoma). Having a history of tanning increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
UV rays are the strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it's happened.
Loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly-woven fabric offer the best protection from the sun's UV rays. Hats should shade the face, scalp, ears and neck.
Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection every time you go outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don't forget to protect ears, nose, lips and the tops of feet.
Prevention Tips
- Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
- Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
- Put on sunscreen with broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection and sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher.
- Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. The UV rays from them are as dangerous as the UV rays from the sun.
- Page last reviewed: May 24, 2017
- Page last updated: May 24, 2017
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