A history of severe sunburn, especially sunburns in childhood, can increase a person’s risk for skin cancer. Growing older can increase a person’s risk for melanoma, too.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, older adults have the greatest risk of developing melanoma. And, of that group, men have the most risk because of their reluctance to perform monthly skin self-examinations or regularly visit a dermatologist to detect melanoma in its early and most curable stages.

Melanoma is a type of malignant skin cancer that begins in the melanocyte cells that make skin pigment. While melanoma makes up about 4 percent of all skin cancer cases, it causes most of the skin cancer-related deaths.

Everyone should examine their skin from head to toe once a month. Melanoma seems to most often appear in men between the shoulders and hips or on the head and neck, while in women it develops frequently on the lower legs. Melanoma can also appear under the fingernails, toenails, and on the palms or soles.

Prevention is the best protection for melanoma or other skin cancers.
- Seek shade during the sun’s peak hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wear sun screen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
- Wear a broad-brim hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, long sleeves and pants or long skirt.
- Avoid tanning and especially do not burn. Remember: one blistering sunburn doubles the risk of melanoma.
- Children under age six months should not be exposed to the sun.
- African Americans can get melanoma, too. Just like Caucasians, African Americans should ask dermatologists about any dark asymmetrical mole or a mole, which changes in size, shape or color.

If you think a tanning bed is a safe option, think again! “Do not use tanning beds,” says Angela Bowers, M.D., dermatologist on the medical staff, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. “Any UV exposure will increase your risk of skin cancer. Getting a tan before you go to the beach does not decrease your risk of skin cancer.”

For more information about Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, visit http://www.BaylorHealth.com or call 1-800-4BAYLOR. Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano is an affiliate of the Dallas-based Baylor Health Care System.