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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but there are steps that one can take to help reduce their risk of developing the disease. The most widely discussed preventative measure is to minimize exposure to the sun's UV rays, which greatly increases the risk. If you have to be in the sun, use sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Individuals should apply sunscreen generously, before going out into the sun, and continue to reapply often. Studies have shown that the application of sunscreen can help to prevent skin cancer. The sun is most powerful between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is when it's rays are the strongest and most damaging to the skin. Other options for protecting yourself from the sun include dressing in dark colors. In addition, sunglasses are important to protect your eyes and the surrounding tissues from absorbing the sun's harmful UV rays.

So, if the sun is a major source of damaging rays, then a tanning bed must be safe, right? Wrong! The amount of radiation that a customer is exposed to, when using a tanning bed, may be even more damaging than exposure to the sun itself. A good alternative method to tanning is the use of a sunless tanning lotion. These can be purchased at almost any local department store and are available from a large number of manufacturers, which develop their products for all different skin types. Whether you want a light tan or you want the look of a sun goddess, there is a product out there that will make you look as if you*ve spent hours perfecting your tan, but your skin will not suffer. It's important to realize that a sunless tanning lotion provides no SPF protection unless specifically noted. These types of products should not replace sunscreen if you ultimately plan to spend time in the sun.

Anyone can develop skin cancer and it doesn*t discriminate against age, race, skin type or geographical location. However, certain people do present a higher risk for skin cancer than others. Such individuals include those with fair skin, light hair and eye color, a large number of moles or freckles, etc.

Even with applying all of the preventative measures, some individuals may remain at a high risk for skin cancer for a variety of reasons. One of the main risk factors include family history, which has a large role in determining many ailments. Family genes can often put an individual at a high risk, which is true even if that individual has no other risk factors for the disease. An average of 10% of all patients diagnosed have a relative who has a history with skin cancer.

This article should not be construed as professional medical advice. If you, or someone that you know, is concerned about the possibility of cancer, you should seek medical attention immediately. A medical doctor can discuss various options, prevention and treatment possibilities should the presence of cancer be detected. A series of tests may be conducted in order to confirm, or rule out, any such diagnosis and can only be done by a medical doctor.