Skin Cancer and UV Exposure
Melanoma kills one person every hour

Your ethnicity and skin type make no difference to the sun's harmful rays. Everyone is at risk of skin cancer caused by over exposure to UV rays.

UV (ultraviolet) rays are the sun's invisible rays. UV rays cause burning and sometimes skin cancer. There are two types of UV rays that can damage skin:

UVA: Are more constant year-round and penetrate deeper into the skin's layers; UVA rays are also harmful and contribute to burning, premature aging of the skin, and the development of certain forms of skin cancer.

UVB: Are the primary cause of sun burning, premature aging of the skin and the development of skin cancer.

Statistics show that while those with lighter skin tone have a higher incidence of skin cancer, those with a darker skin tone have a significantly lower survival rate once diagnosed. So everyone should take proper precautions, regardless of skin type.

Ways to protect yourself:

Wear tightly woven clothing (or material especially designed for sun protection).
Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Remember that UV rays bounce off sand, snow, concrete, and water.
Keep infants (under 6 months) out of the sun.
Use a SPF 15 (or greater) sunscreen with broad spectrum protection whenever you're outdoors.
Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly over all exposed skin (including lips) before going outdoors; reapply often.
Seek shade when possible between 10 am and 4 pm when the sun is at its strongest.
Be particularly cautious if you're taking antibiotics or other medication that can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

UV Index for Alaska Regions

American Cancer Society

Skin Cancer Facts