SKIN CANCER QUIZ

How much do you know about skin cancer? Try taking the following true-or-false quiz. You may be surprised at how much you know.

#1. Skin cancer is the number one cancer in America.

True! The incidence of skin cancer continues to increase in America, and it is the number one cancer. However, most skin cancers are slow growing and treatable.

#2. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer.

True! The first thing you can do to prevent skin cancer is stay out of the sun. However, this can be difficult to do. If you cannot stay out of the sun, wear long sleeves, and a hat with a brim. Use sunscreen on the parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun. You need a sunscreen of at least SPF 15. Use hypoallergenic sunscreens on children, and keep infants less than six months out of the sun totally.

#3. A severe sunburn before age 20 does not change your risk of skin cancer.

False! A severe sunburn that results in peeling increases your risk of skin cancer as you age. Try to avoid sunburn, especially as a child or adolescent.

#4. People in Arizona have the same risk for skin cancer as people who live in New York.

False!. People who live in Arizona have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the United States. This is due to many more sunny days, and prolonged sun exposure. If you live in a sunny climate, make sure you use sunscreen every day. Teach your family to use sunscreen every day too.

#5. Tanning booths are healthy.

False! Most tanning booths still have some ultraviolet ray exposure and this is what causes skin cancer. Check with your healthcare provider before using a tanning booth.

#6. You can help in early detection of melanoma skin cancer.

True! Look for changes in your moles, or new moles appearing. A mole that looks irregular, has different colors in it, or is growing or bleeding needs to be seen immediately by a healthcare provider.

Call (800) 4-CANCER for more information about skin cancer.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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