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Who is at Risk?

Although anyone can get skin cancer, people with certain characteristics are particularly at risk. Skin cancer is more common among people with lightly pigmented skin. People who are sensitive to the sun (those who easily burn and do not tan easily) have a greater risk for skin cancer because they are more likely to have acute sunburns when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to sunlight can be harmful, particularly if it results in sunburn. Current data suggest that sunlight exposure accumulated over a prolonged period influences the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Episodic, relatively infrequent exposure to a large amount of sunlight sufficient to cause sunburn is believed to play a major role in the development of melanoma.

Whites are 10 times more likely than blacks to have skin cancer. The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 1986-1990 data suggest that under the age of 40, women are more likely than men to have melanoma, whereas over the age of 40, men are more likely to develop melanoma.

Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays appears to be the most important factor in the development of skin cancer. Skin cancer is largely preventable when sun protection measures are consistently used. However, approximately 70% of American adults do not protect themselves from the sun's dangerous rays. There is a culture which says that a well-tanned skin is an indicator of overall good health. According to the results of National Health Interview Survey,

• Only 30% of adults seek shade.
• Only 28% wear protective clothing when exposed to sunlight.
• Only 32% routinely use sunscreen lotion.