Skin Cancer & Sun Safety

Skin cancer is rare.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime.

You can die from skin cancer.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

You can die from skin cancer if it spreads to your internal organs.

Skin cancer is a disease that only affects old people.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer among 15-29 year olds.

People with dark skin can get skin cancer.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

No one is immune from the dangers of the sun. Skin cancer is rarer and more deadly among darker skinned people.

Experiencing five or more sunburns can double your risk of developing skin cancer.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Experiencing just one bad sunburn as a child or teen doubles your risk of getting melanoma. Five sunburns by any age also doubles your chances of developing melanoma.

Two forms of ultraviolet radiation - UVA and UVB – reach the earth and can cause skin cancer.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

UVA penetrates the skin even more deeply than UVB and damages the inner layer of skin. These rays play a major role in skin aging and wrinkling, as well as skin cancer.

Though a sunburn is a sign of sun damage, a tan is a sign of health.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Both sunburns and suntans are signs that your skin cells have been damaged by the sun. There is no such thing as a “healthy tan.” Both sun tans and burns can lead to skin cancer.

“SPF” stands for Sun Protection Factor.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

SPF indicates how long it will take for UVB rays to redden skin when using a sunscreen, compared to how long skin would take to redden without the product.

Tanning beds are safer for you than sunlight.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

There is no such thing as a safe tan, especially in tanning beds. Using a tanning bed increases your risk of melanoma by 74%.

Do you know anyone that is or has been affected by skin cancer?

• Yes

• No

• Not Sure