What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is a disease that causes skin cells to grow incorrectly. This abnormal growth of cells can damage or destroy surrounding tissue. Cancer on any part of the body can spread to other parts through a process called metastasis.

What causes skin cancer?
Skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Over time, UV light damages your skin, causing the skin to tan or sunburn. Exposure to sunlight and tanning beds increases the chance that skin cancer will grow. Skin cancer also runs in families. If you have a family member who had skin cancer you are more likely to get skin cancer. Light skin color also increases cancer risk.

What is the danger of skin cancer?
If skin cancer spreads to other parts of the body, vital organs in the body can be damaged. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer because it can metastasize easily. If untreated, melanoma can lead to death.

Who is at risk for skin cancer?
Although everyone can get skin cancer, you are particularly at risk if you:
     Have had skin cancer in the past.
     Have a close relative that has had skin cancer.
     Have lots of moles.
     Have any atypical moles.
     Have sun-sensitive skin that burns or freckles easily.
     Have a history of blistering sunburns.
     Sporadically expose parts of your skin to sunlight.
     Use artificial tanning devices (tanning beds or lamps).

How can I prevent skin cancer
To minimize your risk of skin cancer, you should minimize your exposure to ultraviolet light. This means:
     Minimize your exposure to the sun during midday (10:00 am - 3:00 pm)
     Use sunscreen of at least SPF 15 on all sun-exposed areas of the body.
     Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even if the sky is cloudy.
     Reapply sunscreen after swimming or perspiring.
     Wear clothing that covers and shades your skin.
     Do not use artificial tanning machines.

How can I tell if I have skin cancer?
The purpose of this website is to teach you how to identify moles that may be cancerous. By becoming more aware of abnormalities on your skin, you can spot potentially cancerous moles before cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This web site teaches you basic rules for deciding whether a mole is cancerous, the ABCDs of melanoma. You will also learn, through a series of photos, some of the visual characteristics of cancerous moles.
Remember, self-examination may help detect cancer earlier, leading to more effective treatment, but you should also get regular checkups by a dermatologist. If you are unsure about any of your moles, you should always see a dermatologist as soon as possible.