Cassie Smith | Published on May 23, 2018
Growing up in North Carolina, my family went to the beach often. I can still hear my mom yelling as I ran toward the ocean, “Don’t forget your sunscreen! You don’t want to burn!” But looking back, I’m not sure I ever heard my mom mention that sunscreen helps reduce our risk of skin cancer.
Don’t be afraid to remind your family and friends why they need to wear sunscreen. It’s not just about the days of discomfort that come with sunburns; protecting your skin before you turn 18 can reduce your risk of some types of skin cancer by up to 78 percent.
Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women in the United States. An estimated 91,270 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, this year. So as nagging as your mother’s words (or yours to your family) might sound, remember that it’s for cancer prevention.
Follow these tips to ensure you and your family and friends stay sun safe this Memorial Day weekend and the rest of the year.
Even if you follow all these tips, you can still be at risk for skin cancer. Pay attention to any changes to your skin and schedule annual skin checks. Learn more about skin cancer to stay safe in the sun this season!
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