Thursday, October 1, 2026
One of the best parts of living in a beach community is being out in the surf, sand and sun almost every day. But one overlooked drawback to all that time outdoors is an increased risk of developing skin cancer — the most common form of cancer across the country. Every May, health professionals look to share advice and bring attention to this persistent, potentially deadly issue.
Simple steps save lives
The National Cancer Institute suggests that people with fair skin, freckles, blue or green eyes, and red or blond hair are at a higher risk than others, but everyone can and should take preventative steps to reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer.
Applying an appropriate sunscreen — SPF 30 or higher — can help protect against ultraviolet radiation and reduce the chance of sunburn, which are factors in cancer development. Wearing the right clothes when outdoors, including sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats, can also reduce UV exposure. Reducing the time spent outdoors when the sun is strongest — generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — could be the most difficult to adhere to, but can also be a major factor.
Know the ABCDE’s
Dermatologists recommend using “ABCDE” to monitor yourself for potential melanoma. Check your skin for dark spots or moles and look for potential warning signs including asymmetry with one section of the mole looking very different from the other in size, shape, or color; the border of the spot shouldn’t be irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined; its color should be consistent and not mottled with tan, black, white and/or red; if the diameter is larger than a pencil eraser, about 6 millimeters or almost a quarter-inch, it may be suspicious and worth getting checked by a professional; and the spot shouldn’t evolve over time, drastically changing its shape, color, or size over the course of weeks, months, and years.
There is no “good” cancer
One subtle way people misspeak after hearing about someone’s diagnosis is with the phrase, “That’s one of the good ones to get.” While the thought is well-intentioned, it still underestimates key facts. Some skin cancers can have a relatively high cure rate, but it also has a genuine mortality risk.
One in five people will be affected by skin cancer before age 70. The American Cancer Society estimates 112,000 new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in 2026 — counting only the aggressive melanoma type, not the more common basal cell or squamous cell cancers — leading to more than 8,500 deaths. Skin cancer may be treatable, especially if caught early, but it should never be taken lightly.
