TEXAS — May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and, statistically speaking, Texas is one of the sunniest states in the country.


What You Need To Know

  • Skin Cancer Foundation kicks off Skin Cancer Awareness Month with Melanoma Monday

  • It's estimated more than 200,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with melanoma this year

  • Roughly 5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year in the U.S. 

  • With the correct precautions, skin cancer is largely preventable 

To mark the occasion, the Skin Cancer Foundation declared May 3 Melanoma Monday to bring attention to the largely preventable but sometimes deadly form of skin cancer.

The Skin Cancer Foundation says melanoma is highly curable when detected early. That said, it’s estimated that more than 200,000 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2021.

The foundation recommends everyone perform a self-check at least once per month and see a dermatologist yearly for a professional exam.

If you spot anything new, unusual or changing on your skin, there is a possibility that it could be skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with more than 5 million cases diagnosed in the country each year. The Skin Cancer Foundation further says about 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 85% of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

In order to prevent skin cancer, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:

  • Stay in the shade, particularly during midday hours.
  • Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
  • Wear a hat with a wide brim that covers your face, head, ears and neck.
  • Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and which offers both UVA and UVB protection.
  • Avoid indoor tanning.

For more information on sun safety, click here.