
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which makes this and good time to learn about the three main types of skin cancer and what you can do to keep yourself healthy.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. And most skin cancers are preventable.
The three main types of skin cancer are:
Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands and legs. But skin cancer also can form on areas that rarely see the light of day, including your palms and the soles of your feet, beneath your fingernails or toenails, and your genital area.
Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. However, having less pigment in your skin provides less protection from damaging UV radiation. If you have blond or red hair and light-colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily, you're much more likely to develop skin cancer than a person with darker skin.
You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, radiation, with these strategies:
Connect with others talking about preventing skin cancer in the Skin Health support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community moderated by Mayo Clinic.
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