Can’t wait to hit the beach this summer? Well, keep your shirt on — and your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen — because ultraviolet (UV) rays are responsible for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers.
The most common type by far, basal cell carcinoma, accounts for 80 percent of all skin cancers and most often occurs on parts of the body exposed to the sun. It can appear as a sore that doesn’t heal; a red, irritated patch that crusts or itches; a smooth growth with a rolled border; a shiny bump that’s either pink, brown, red, white or pearly; or a waxy, scarlike area. Luckily, basal cell carcinoma is slow growing, and the cure rate is greater than 95 percent when caught early.
“Skin cancer including malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, is the most common cancer found worldwide.  Prevention is key through regular self skin examinations, photoprotection, and regular check-ups.  These cancers are most successfully managed with early detection and treatment.  Please have high suspicion for new, changing, or non-healing lesions.  If you or someone you know has not had a complete skin examination in the past year or has a suspicious lesion please see a doctor.  Knowledge is powerful.” said Jennifer Bunch, MD from NorthEast Dermatology.
Skin cancer is preventable
It’s also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. To reduce your risk, follow these strategies:
• Cover up with a wide-brimmed hat, a scarf for your neck, long-sleeved shirts, pants and sunglasses—even at the beach!
• Apply sunscreen in the morning as part of your normal routine. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone use a broad-spectrum (meaning it protects against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A and B rays), water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. Apply to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. You should use at least an ounce of sunscreen (the amount that would fit in a shot glass) to cover all exposed body parts. If you’re in the sun for a long stretch, reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily. Don’t forget your lips, either. Use a lip balm that contains sunscreen.
• Avoid going outdoors between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• At the beach, reapply sunscreen at least every two hours as well as after swimming and perspiring.
• Don’t use a sun lamp or frequent a tanning salon.
• Give yourself a head-to-toe skin examination at least once every six months. Familiarity with your own skin—its bumps, blotches, birthmarks and so on—enables you to detect even slight changes. If you notice any, see your doctor.
• Have a professional skin examination once a year.
These tips apply to everyone—from blondes with blue eyes to brunettes with brown eyes—so make a commitment to play it safe this summer … and all year long.

What’s your risk?
Although anyone can get skin cancer, certain people are more likely to develop it than others. The risk is greatest for individuals with light hair, blue eyes and fair skin that burns easily and for those constantly exposed to the sun, such as construction workers and landscapers. Anyone with a previous skin cancer or a family history of skin cancer faces extra risk. A history of painful or blistering sunburns in childhood also increases an adult’s risk of developing the disease.