SKIN CANCER RISKS INCREASE FOR AMERICANS

Exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important fact in determining a person’s risk of skin cancer. Past sunburns, sun exposure at young ages, genetics and immune system deficiencies may also play a part. The following quiz can help determine your risk for developing skin cancer. After you add up your total points, match your score with those noted below to find your risk level:

________	Hair Color Blond/red = 4, brown = 3, black = 1
________	Eye Color Blue/green = 4, hazel = 3, brown = 2
________	When exposed to one hour of summer sun, you . . . Burn and sometimes blister = 4, burn, then tan = 3, tan = 1
________	Do you have freckles? Many = 4, some = 3, none = 2
________	Where is your job? Outdoors = 4, mixed = 3, indoors = 2
________	Has anyone in your family had skin cancer? Yes = 5, no = 1
________	Where in the U.S. did you live most before the age of 18? South = 4, Midwest = 3, North = 2

Risk Levels

10 - 15 Below average risk

16 - 22 Average risk

23 - 25 High risk

26 - 30 Very high risk

 

Provided by the American Academy of Dermatology, 930 North Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4965

Find more information on skin cancer detection and prevention at the America Academy of Dermatology's "Skin Savvy 98" web page, at http://www.aad.org/newsf.html.

 

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Melanoma Madness

 The scientific flap over sunscreens and skin cancer

Epidemiological studies
Epidemiologists are concerned because the rise in sunscreen use has occurred in tandem with an increase in skin cancer.

Chemical studies
Scientists are taking a fresh look at how sunscreens block ultraviolet light.  

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