The pursuit of the "perfect tan" or just ignoring warnings to cover up and use sunscreen can cause skin cancer. Most cases of skin cancer can be successfully treated by surgery and other methods, but in some cases, skin cancer can kill.

The most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. Although melanomas account for only about 4% of skin cancer cases, melanomas cause about 79% of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Melanomas begin in cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment called melanin that gives the tan or brown color to skin and helps protect the deeper layers of the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Melanoma most often occurs on the trunk of fair-skinned men and on the lower legs of fair-skinned women, but it can occur in other places as well. While melanoma is almost always curable in its early stages, it can spread to other parts of the body.

More Common and Less Serious Skin Cancers

The more common types of skin cancer, grouped as nonmelanoma skin cancers, are basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. More than 1 million cases of these skin cancers occur every year in the United States, but only about 1,000 to 2,000 people die of nonmelanoma skin cancer each year.

Basal cell carcinomas usually begin on areas exposed to the sun such as the head and neck. These cancers grow slowly and rarely spread to distant parts of the body, although they can grow into nearby areas and invade the bone or other tissue beneath the skin if left untreated. After treatment, they can recur in the same place, or new basal cell cancers can start elsewhere. About three out of four skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas.

Squamous cell carcinomas usually begin on the face, ear, neck, lips, and backs of the hands. These types of cancer can also develop within scars or skin ulcers elsewhere on the body. Squamous cell carcinomas are more likely to spread to lymph nodes or distant parts of the body than basal cell carcinomas.

Seek Shade and Solace

The following guidelines, adapted from recommendations offered online by the American Cancer Society, can help prevent skin cancer or detect it early, when it is most curable.

• Seek shade. The best way to limit exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is to avoid being outdoors in intense sunlight for too long. Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

• Cover up. Wear a hat with a brim and more than just a bathing suit.

• Use sunscreen properly. Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and reapply it every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Opinion is divided about whether sunscreens can protect against melanoma, but newer sunscreens may be more effective. Sunscreens should not be used to sit in the sun longer because that would not reduce the risk.

• Wear sunglasses. Most highly recommended are wrap-around sunglasses that absorb 99% to 100% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

• Do not use tanning beds and sun lamps. Tanning beds and sun lamps give off ultraviolet radiation and can damage your skin and evidence is growing that they may increase your risk of melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. The Medical Society of the State of New York supports a complete ban on tanning salons.

• Protect children from the sun. Children need special protection from the sun because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn more easily. Research studies show a link between sunburns early in life and an increased risk of melanoma later in life. Use the measures listed above to protect your children; set a good example; and as children grow older and more independent, caution them about the sun’s dangers.

• Look for abnormal moles and have them removed. Having moles, known as dysplastic nevi, increase the risk of developing melanoma. These moles are often larger than other moles and some people have many. Dysplastic nevi tend to run in families and are not usually present at birth, but begin to develop in children and teenagers. Moles that are present at birth and that also increase the lifetime risk of developing melanoma are called congenital melanocyctic nevi. People with larger moles have a greater risk. Although routine removal of moles is not generally recommended as a melanoma prevention measure, you should be familiar with the moles on your body. Unusual or changing moles should be brought to the attention of your doctor, who may then recommend removal.

This information is provided by the Medical Society of the State of New York. For more health-related information and referrals to physicians in your community, contact your local county medical society.