Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Introduction

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis, and it’s the most preventable cancer. Most skin cancer is caused by damage from the sun’s UV rays (ultraviolet radiation). This year, an estimated 76,690 people will be diagnosed with melanoma—the most dangerous type of skin cancer—and over 9,000 will die of the disease. Every year, as many as two million people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer—either basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma.

Recent research on the benefits of vitamin D (made by the skin from sunlight) indicates that just a brief exposure of your face, arms and hands to the sun is sufficient—about 15 minutes a day, three days per week. Talk to your health care professional about Vitamin D and your health.