Long gone are the days when fun in the sun didn’t go hand in hand with slathering on sunscreen from head to toe. Decades of research and news reports have warned us of the dangers of the sun’s rays. So you might be surprised to hear that despite our awareness and endless SPF options on store shelves, the number of skin cancer cases keeps going up.

In fact, skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in the United States. And the number of new melanoma cases is expected to go up 5.8% this year alone. Why? For one, people spend more time outdoors these days. And more than 419,000 cases of skin cancer each year are connected to tanning bed use — which are 100% avoidable.

But it’s not all bad news. The rise in cases is partly due to people living longer. (Skin cancer risk goes up as you age.) It’s also a result of improved cancer detection. Even better, most skin cancers are preventable or treatable when detected early. The 5-year survival rate for people with early-stage melanoma skin cancer is 99%.

So what can you do to better protect yourself and help reverse the upward trend of skin cancer? Here’s what you need to know.

Get to Know the Three Main Types of Skin Cancer

There are two main categories of skin cancer: melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is also known as malignant melanoma. It’s rarer but much more dangerous. More than 106,000 cases will be diagnosed in the United States this year. And about 7,180 people are expected to die of the disease.

By comparison, nonmelanoma skin cancer is much more common but far less deadly. There are two common types: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Combined, 5.4 million cases of these cancers happen each year in the U.S. An estimated 2,000 people die from it.

Whatever the type, it’s smart to be on the lookout. The best way to find skin cancer is to see your dermatologist once a year. They can perform a skin exam to learn what your skin and moles look like. That makes it easier for you both to spot any changes. Here are some ways to tell melanoma and nonmelanoma apart:

• Melanoma: It often looks like a mole, or it develops from one. In other cases, melanoma appears on bare skin. It’s usually asymmetrical and has an uneven border and an irregular color, or it changed in size and shape.
• Basal cell carcinoma: It may look like a pimple, lump, or an open or nonhealing sore. It might also show up as reddish patches, shiny bumps, or discolored patches of skin.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: It can look like a firm red lump, a flat sore with a scaly crust, or a raised red patch or red sore.

Do you have a lot of moles or a family history of skin cancer? If so, it’s especially important to have yearly skin exams. Both put you at a higher risk of skin cancer.

How Everyone Can Prevent Skin Cancer

Remember: Preventing skin cancer is very doable. For one, just using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day can go a long way. It can reduce your risk of getting squamous cell carcinoma by 40%. And it can lower your risk of melanoma by 50%. But the higher the SPF, the better: Experts advise at least SPF 30.

It’s also important to note that while skin cancer is more common in white Americans, anyone can get it. And it’s a growing problem in people of color. For example, melanoma cases went up 20% among Hispanics in a 20-year period.

“Contrary to popular belief, skin cancer is not just for fair- or light-skinned people,” says Mona Z. Mofid, MD, FAAP. Dr. Mofid is a dermatologist affiliated with Sharp Community Medical Group in San Diego and the medical director for the American Melanoma Foundation. “People of all races are affected. In fact, that’s what Bob Marley died of.”

Skin cancer is deadlier in Hispanic and Black Americans too. Research shows that in the Hispanic population, that’s likely due to a few factors, including:

• Later-stage diagnoses.
• Less awareness of risks and symptoms.
• Lower access to healthcare.

Meanwhile, one study found that Black Americans have a 5-year melanoma survival rate of 67%. That’s compared with 92% for white Americans.

To reduce the chance of getting skin cancer, everyone should take the following precautions:

• Stay out of tanning beds. People who start using a tanning bed before age 35 have been shown to have a 75% higher risk of melanoma. But it’s a risk at any age.
• Cover up. Wear protective clothing when outside. That includes long sleeves, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses. You can also wear sun-protection clothing. These are clothes made with a tighter weave and different fabrics. They help stop some UV rays from getting through.
• Steer clear of midday sun. The sun’s rays do the most damage between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Choose your sunscreen carefully. Sunscreens should work to block both UVA and UVB rays. To get protection from both, choose a sunscreen that says “broad spectrum.” Look for something that’s water resistant with at least SPF 30. A lip balm with SPF is key too.
• Put on sunscreen the right way. Adults should put on 2 tablespoons of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass). Rub it on dry skin about 15 minutes before heading outside. That gives the sunscreen time to bind to the skin. Then reapply every 2 hours after. If you’re swimming or sweating excessively, reapply more often.
• Don’t forget hard-to-reach spots. People almost universally forget their hands, scalp, ears, and feet when putting on sunscreen.

It doesn’t take much time to arm your skin against the sun’s damaging rays. But the payoff — cancer-free skin that looks younger too — lasts a lifetime.

[Sources:]

[1] “Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics.” Skin Cancer Foundation, January 13, 2021, https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/. Accessed November 5, 2021.

[2] “Key Statistics for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer.” American Cancer Society, January 12, 2021, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed November 5, 2021.

[3] “Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics.” Skin Cancer Foundation, January 13, 2021, https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/#tanning. Accessed November 5, 2021.

[4] “Key Statistics for Melanoma Sink Cancer.” American Cancer Society, January 12, 2021,  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed November 5, 2021.

[5] “Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin.” Mayo Clinic, May 13, 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/squamous-cell-carcinoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20352480. Accessed November 5, 2021.

[6] Perez, MI. “Skin Cancer in Hispanics in the United States.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, vol. 18, no. 3, March 1, 2019, pp: 117-120.