More than 1 million people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, making it the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer is largely preventable. Studies have shown that most skin cancers are linked to overexposure to sunlight (UV radiation). Therefore, good sun protection is an important way to prevent the development of both sun-related skin damage (freckles, fine wrinkles, etc…) and sun-related skin cancers.

Everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity, is subject to the potential adverse effects of overexposure to the sun. However, some types of skin might be more vulnerable then others.

Skin type affects the degree to which you burn and the time it takes you to burn. Fair skinned individuals who tend to burn rapidly and more severely are at the highest risk for developing skin cancer. Although darker skinned individuals are less likely to develop skin cancer, they can and do get skin cancer and should also protect their skin from overexposure to the sun.