How to Prevent Skin Cancer in the Sun's Strongest Months

Summer is right around the corner and many of us are excited to catch some rays to get our color. But skin cancer is prevalent in the United States, with projections reaching 10,000 deaths in 2014. Here's how to take proper precautions in the sun.

Melanoma Monday is the first Monday in the month of May, which aims to raise awareness of skin cancer and how it can be prevented because it is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The prevalence of melanoma has skyrocketed from 1 in every 1,500 people back in 1930 to 1 in 52 people in 2012.

There are three different types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Melanoma is the most deadly because it can spread to other parts of the body. Exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays is the primary risk factor for melanoma. The UV index rapidly increased between March and April, arriving at its peak in June.

It's important to protect yourself from skin cancer and that begins with being aware of the day's UV index. A high index is between 6-7, a very high index is between 8-10, and an extreme index is an 11 or above, meaning that you'll begin to get burnt from the sun after at least 30 minutes. You can begin to burn within ten minutes with an extreme index between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.

To avoid being burned, sunscreen should be applied every 20 minutes during water activities and every 40 to 50 minutes for general outdoor activities. And the higher the SPF does not mean you can apply the sunscreen less and less. You can use a 30 to 40 SPF and apply it as directed and that will do the trick, says Mount Sinai Hospital chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery, Dr. Hooman Khorasani. Applying 100 SPF twice throughout the day will not effectively protect you from the sun.

Additionally, its important to wear protective clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outdoors (if you're not vacationing or having fun). For instance, those who work outdoors should make sure to wear wide-brim hats when the weather begins to get hotter as well as clothing that covers the arms and legs.

Regularly performing body checks can help familiarize yourself with dangerous moles. The earlier one can detect skin cancer, the greater the chances of survival. Dr. Debra Wattenberg, also of Mount Sinai Hospital, tells the Today Show all the details one needs to know when conducting a thorough body check.

You can read more about skin cancer and how to protect yourself from the sun on the National Cancer Institute website.