Download How to Prevent Skin Cancer

Preventing
Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer and
Tanning Booths
How to Prevent Skin
Cancer
Regular daily use of an SPF 15
or higher sunscreen reduces
the risk of developing
squamous cell carcinoma by
40% and the risk of
developing melanoma by
50%.
You should seek the shade,
especially between 10 AM and
4 PM.
Cover up with clothing,
including a broad-brimmed
hat and UV-blocking
sunglasses.
Keep newborns out of the
sun. Sunscreens should be
used on babies over the age of
six months.
See your physician every year
for a professional skin exam.
More than 419,000 cases of skin
cancer in the US each year are
linked to indoor tanning, including
about 245,000 basal cell
carcinomas, 168,000 squamous
cell carcinomas, and 6,200
melanomas.
The International Agency for
Research on Cancer includes
ultraviolet tanning devices in its
Group 1, a list of the most
dangerous cancer-causing
substances. Group 1 also includes
agents such as plutonium,
cigarettes, and solar UV radiation.
So, avoid tanning and UV
tanning booths.
Evanston Health
Department
2100 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847-448-4311
Skin Cancer
Facts

Each year in the United
States, nearly 5 million
people are treated for
skin cancer.

About 90% of
nonmelanoma skin
cancers are associated
with exposure to
ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from the sun.



Melanoma is a the fifth
most common cancer for
males and seventh most
common for females.
On average, a person’s
risk for melanoma
doubles if he or she has
had more than five
sunburns.
The annual incidence
rate of melanoma is
100,000 in blacks, 4 per
100,000 in Hispanics,
and 25 per 100,000 in
non-Hispanic whites.
http://www.skincancer.org/skincancer-information/skin-cancerfacts#melanoma
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the
course of a lifetime.
Types of Skin Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma: A cancer that
grows on parts of your skin that gets
a lot of sun. The tumors usually start
off as small shiny bumps. This is the
least risky type of skin cancer.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This is
the second most common form of
skin cancer. It is usually found on
areas of damaged by UV rays from
the sun or tanning beds. It can
spread to tissues, bones, and nearby
lymph nodes, where it may become
hard to treat.
http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skincancer/melanoma-guide/skin-cancer

Melanoma: This is the most
dangerous form of skin cancer.
These tumors originate in the
pigment-producing melanocytes in
the basal layer of the epidermis.
These often resemble moles, and
some develop from moles. Melanoma
is mainly caused by intense,
occasional UV exposure (frequently
leading to sunburn), especially in
those who are genetically
predisposed to the disease.
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancerinformation/melanoma