As loudly as health officials scream the message “PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN,” people are still having a hard time hearing.  Lying out in the sun, feeling it’s warmth on your skin and developing that deep brown tan which will make people’s heads turn is just too tempting.  Wearing sunscreen all the time or covering up with hats and long sleeve shirts can seem like a hassle.  Being outside in the sun makes you feel good – right?

Well, maybe in the short term the sun seems harmless but the truth is that the damage caused by the sun’s light (or the light from a tanning bed) won’t show up for years and years.  A few bad burns as a young child might be quickly forgotten, but your body won’t forget quite as easily- it may be 40 years before the consequences appear. 

One of the most dangerous consequences of too much time out in the sun without sunscreen is SKIN CANCER.  Being smart about the sun and taking the time to put on a little sunscreen is all it takes to greatly reduce your risks for this type of cancer.

Skin cancer generally forms in cells in the uppermost layers of your skin before spreading deeper.  If it can be caught while it is still close to the surface, all forms of skin cancer are very treatable.  The major risks come when skin cancer is left to grow and develop.

The two most crucial tips to remember when it comes to keeping yourself skin cancer-free are to 1) always protect yourself from the sun, even if it doesn’t seem to make a difference right now and 2) watch your skin for any possible changes in order to catch the cancer before it’s too late.