How to minimize risk of skin cancer in summers

Scientists have revealed that sun tanning equals skin damage and teens should take special care in summer to minimize the risk of skin cancer.

Dr. David R. Byrd, director of surgery at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said that as it only takes a few bad sunburns or trips to the tanning bed to put someone at risk for melanoma, people should use a daily sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and limit the amount of time spent in the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The researchers found that teens choosing to tan indoors under UV light are more likely to get melanoma and 76 percent of melanomas found in women between the ages of 18 and 29 are associated with tanning bed use.

According to the study, only 15 percent of males and 37 percent of females claim to use sunscreen most of the time or always.