Cumulative sun exposure can cause skin cancer. It is important to take the necessary precautions when you are exposed to the sun.

• Wear a moisturizer or protective lotion with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 on all areas of potential sun exposure.
• Avoid exposure to the sun during peak hours, when UV exposure is highest. This is usually between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M.
• Apply sunscreen liberally after swimming or any activities that result in heavy perspiration. Better yet, sunscreen should be applied periodically throughout the day as a precaution.
• All sunscreen used for protection should be full or broad spectrum to filter out UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Check the expiration date printed on the bottle to make sure that the sunscreen has not expired.
• Avoid exposing children younger than six months of age to the sun.
• If prone to burning frequently and easily, wear a hat and protective clothing when participating in outdoor activities. Redheads are particularly susceptible to sun damage.

In addition to taking these precautions, you should regularly see a physician specializing in dermatology for checkups of the skin, especially if any changes in coloration, size, or shape of a mole are detected.

Home self-examinations can also be an effective way to check for signs of potential skin cancer between scheduled doctor visits. When performing a self-care exam, check for any changes in existing moles and pay attention to any new visible growths on the skin.

The American Cancer Society recommends using the ABCD Cancer Checklist to help make potential skin cancer easier to recognize. When checking existing moles, look for changes in any of the following.

• A - Asymmetry
• B - Border
• C - Color
• D - Diameter

Changes to any of these should be examined by a physician. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

The Fitzpatrick Scale is used to measure the skin types ability to tolerate sun exposure. It is important to be familiar with this method in order to take appropriate precautions during sun exposure.