Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. More than a million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. More than half of all new cancers are skin cancers. One in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Nationally, there are more new cases of skin cancer each year than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon.

Exposure to the sun's rays is the primary cause of skin cancer. Damage to the skin from the sun is cumulative, so most skin cancers result from years of exposure to the sun's rays. One of the warning signs for skin cancer is a skin change known as actinic keratosis, a scaly or crusty bump that arises on the skin surface. The scale or crust is horny, dry, and rough, and is often recognized by touch rather than sight. The lesion may or may not be seen as a different color than your skin.

Damage to the skin begins early in life. Nearly 50% of sun exposure happens before you are 18 years old. The very young are especially susceptible to skin damage, but the result of this damage usually will not be apparent until years later. Over 90% of skin cancers are a result of damage from the sun. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are common skin cancers. Either type may first appear as small, red, pale, or waxy lumps that may bleed. They may also appear as flat, red, smooth or scaly spots. A third type is malignant melanoma. Melanoma is more rare but much more dangerous than other types of skin cancer. Melanoma can grow quickly and must be treated before they can spread. Fortunately, virtually all types of skin cancer can be cured with early treatment.

Ultraviolet radiation is the major cause of skin damage. The best way to protect your skin is to prevent exposure to ultraviolet radiation by wearing protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, and using sunscreen on exposed skin. Damage that causes skin cancer is cumulative damage to the genetic material of skin cells. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. This type grows slowly and rarely spreads. Squamous cell carcinoma grows faster than basal cell. A small percentage of squamous cell cancers can spread to other parts of the body, which can be fatal. Both types can cause significant damage to other tissues. Malignant melanomas result from uncontrolled growth of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells). These are the most dangerous skin cancers because unless they are treated early, they can spread rapidly to other parts of the body.

People with fair skin, freckles and red hair, that sunburn easily, have family members that have had skin cancer, or spend a lot of time outdoors are most at risk for skin cancer. Most skin cancers can be treated successfully if they are detected early. Self-examination is the best way to detect skin cancer early. Make a thorough examination of your skin every 3 months using a mirror to view your entire body. Learn what is normal so you can detect changes in your skin. Pay special attention to moles, birth marks, and blemishes. Watch for changes in size, shape, texture and color, and lesions that bleed and don't fully heal. Your doctor should also exam your skin during your annual physical exam. Learn the ABCDs of skin cancer. A is for asymmetry, one half is different than the other. B is for an irregular or ragged border. C is for two or more colors. D is for diameter larger than a pencil eraser.

PICK OF THE WEEK: SUNSCREENS. PROTECT YOUR SKIN THIS SUMMER WITH SUNSCREEN. USE A SUNSCREEN WITH AN SPF BETWEEN 15 AND 30. GET 10% OFF ANY SUNSCREEN THROUGH JULY 1, 2005!

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