Contrary to what you may believe, everyone is at risk of getting skin cancer. In fact, each time you step outside, you expose yourself to the harmful rays of the sun and as such, you’re putting yourself at risk. Even more alarming, is the fact that so many people willingly increase their chances of getting skin cancer by spending an endless amount of time on the beach or lazing around next to the pool. When one considers that our skin is the largest organ of our body, it’s hardly worth taking such a risk just for the sake of getting a tan. Remember, in many cases there may be no visible signs of skin cancer for at least a couple of years.

Of course, the current state of our ozone layer simply makes matters even worse, and as a result, we are now at even more risk of getting one of the three types of skin cancer, which are; Melanoma, Squamous Cell and Basil cell.

Our exposure to the ultra violet rays from the sun damage our skin cells resulting to skin cancer. We are quite familiar with how skin cancer manifests itself to our bodies. We get large sores or spots which may seem impossible to remove. Though these may seem harmless, they may be resistant to any treatment and will just keep on showing again and again. As with other types of cancer, cancer cells can really be aggressive, they just keep on coming around before you know it.

Yes, there certainly is a high risk of skin cancer but because we know what causes it, we can take the necessary steps to prevent it. Of course, it’s just not possible for any of us to avoid the sun entirely but having said that, we can use skin protection whenever we know we’ll be exposed to direct sun. Fortunately enough, there are a vast amount of products on the market to today with SPF (sun protection factor) ratings of between 15 and 80. Apart from sun-block creams and lotions, many moisturizers and other cosmetics also now have a SPF rating. While a product with a SPF 15 rating offers only minimal protection, those which have a SPF of 80 offer total protection by blocking out all the harmful ultra-violet rays.

Ultimately, the less time you spend exposed to the sun, the less risk. Of course, people all over the world look forward to summer and being able to spend days on the beach, but remember, spending long periods of time on the beach increases the risk of skin cancer significantly. In fact, even short walks in the sun put you at risk, which is why one should always cover up as much as possible, Sun glasses, hats and long sleeve tops can all help to minimize the risk and if possible, even carry an umbrella with you.

From time to time, you may want to self examine your body for any symptoms of skin cancer. If you notice something unusual, see a dermatologist. They can identify if that is a sign of skin cancer or just a regular skin infection.