Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).1 About 1 in 5 people are estimated to develop skin cancer in their lifetime.1 To lower your risk of getting skin cancer, it’s important to know the basics.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually caused by UV light from the sun, according to the AAD.2 However, skin cancer can develop in areas that are not commonly (if ever) exposed to the sun.
There are several types of skin cancer, but these are the most common:
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer.2 These cancers can appear in many different ways, but they’re often a flesh-colored round growth, pearl-like bump, or a pink patch of skin.2
You might find BCCs most commonly on the head, neck, and arms, but they can form anywhere. If left untreated, BCCs can grow deep into the body, potentially harming bones and nerves.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second-most common form of skin cancer.2 These might appear as a red firm bump, scaly patch, or a sore that doesn’t fully heal.
SCCs often show up on ears, face, neck, arms, chest, and back—places that get lots of sun exposure. Catching and treating SCCs early can prevent them from growing deep into the body and even spreading to other parts of the body.
Melanoma
Melanoma is one of the more dangerous skin cancers because it can spread throughout the body if it isn’t caught and treated early, according to the American Cancer Society (ACA).3
These cancers can appear anywhere on the body. For men, they’re most likely to start on the chest or back, and are most likely to start on the legs for women.3 The neck and face are also common areas for melanomas to develop.
Melanomas can be tricky to identify, because they can look very different from one spot to the next. Some might be asymmetrical, pink, white, blue, different shades of brown or black, or have ragged borders, the ACA says.4 It’s important to keep track of your moles and spots on your skin to see if they change over time.
Signs of skin cancer
Generally, there are some tell-tale signs of skin cancer. Knowing what to look for on your own skin can help you take control of your health. The AAD advises people to look out for these signs:
Asymmetry: The mole or spot is not the same on both sides. One side may have a clean edge while the other might be ragged or blurry.
Border: The border of the moles or spots is not even. Look for a scalloped, irregular, or poorly-defined border.
Color: The color of your mole or spot has more than one color. It may have shades of tan, brown, or black with possible areas of white, red, or blue.
Diameter: The spot is larger than a pencil eraser (though some melanomas are smaller when diagnosed).
Evolving: The spot is changing over time. Look for differences in size, shape, or color.5
If you have a spot that is bleeding, tender, not healing, or is generally concerning, be sure to make an appointment with your dermatologist.
Ways to prevent skin cancer
Skin cancer is preventable for most people, and when caught early, highly treatable. There are some easy ways you can lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Here are a few:
1. Avoid harsh sunlight
The sun doesn’t have to be your enemy, but you should be smart about when you’re outside. The ACA recommends staying in the shade when the sun’s rays are harshest, usually midday hours.6
2. Wear sunscreen
Preventing UV damage is simple when you apply sunscreen before heading outside—even in the winter. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 over any exposed skin.6 Don’t forget the backs and rims of your ears, your scalp, neck, and tops of your hands and feet. Lips can also get sunburned and develop skin cancer, so use a balm with sunscreen to protect them.
Remember to reapply every two hours, and more often if you’re swimming or getting sweaty.
3. Perform a self-skin check
Having a baseline of your skin is a great way to prevent skin cancer. When you know what’s normal for you, what’s not, and what’s changing, you can help your dermatologist determine which spots or moles may be risky.
Performing a skin self-exam is simple. You’ll want to look at every inch of your body, using a mirror for places that you can’t see easily. Be sure to check the soles of your feet, in between toes, your nails, and your scalp. Use a hand mirror to help you see your scalp and neck.
If you notice something suspicious or changing over time, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out.
4. Wear UPF clothing
When you’re outside in the sun, it’s a good idea to wear UPF clothing to protect your skin. Ultraviolet protection factor, UPF, clothes help block the sun’s rays from damaging your skin.
The National Skin Cancer Foundation recommends choosing UPF clothes with these features:
- Dark or bright-colored fabrics because they absorb UV rays better than lighter shades.
- Densely woven cloth because they allow less UV radiation through the fabric. Look for denim, canvas, wool, or synthetic fibers.
- Unbleached cotton, shiny polyesters, and lightweight satiny silks are great at either absorbing or reflecting radiation. Some high-tech fabrics are treated with chemical UV absorbers or dyes that can prevent UV penetration.
- Looser-fitting clothing is best. Tighter-fitting clothes can stretch the fabric and reduce the effectiveness of UV protection.⁷
Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses can help keep your eyes and the area around them more protected in the sun. It’s also helpful to wear a tightly-woven wide-brimmed hat to prevent UV rays from damaging your scalp, face, neck, and ears.⁷
5. Don’t use tanning beds
Though it might be tempting to get that sun-kissed glow, indoor tanning can increase your risk of developing BCC by 24% and SCC by 58%, according to the AAD.⁸
It’s important to note that some people use tanning beds to get a “base tan” to supposedly prevent sunburn later on, but that’s not how it works. Every single time you tan or or get a sunburn, you damage the DNA in your skin.⁸ The more often you damage your skin, your risk of developing skin cancer goes up.
Talk to your doctor about skin cancer prevention
If you’re concerned about your risk of developing skin cancer, talk to your doctor. Together, you can go over your risk factors and any changes you can make to protect your skin better.
Do you need an insurance plan that supports your preventive health? Select Health has plans for families and individuals, employers, and more. Check out our plans page to see your options.
Frequently asked questions about skin cancer prevention
When you’re checking your skin spots or moles, you want to look for things that don’t look like other spots or moles on your body. Some people call this the “ugly duckling” approach. Additionally, if you notice a spot or mole that is asymmetrical, has an irregular border, has different colors, is larger than a pencil eraser, or is changing over time, make note of it and talk to your doctor.5
Tanning can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. When you lay out in the sun or use a tanning bed, your skin’s DNA becomes damaged. Over time, the damaged DNA cells could turn into skin cancer.8
Yes and no. According to MedlinePlus, most cases of melanoma are found in people without a family history of the cancer. If there is a family history of melanoma, it could be due to shared environmental factors or genetics (or both).⁹
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Links to other sites are provided as a convenience, but Select Health does not endorse the third-party sites, information, or services.
The content included here is for your information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Additionally, this information does not guarantee benefits. To review your benefits, please reference your plan materials or call Member Services at 800-538-5038 weekdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., closed Sunday. TTY users call 711.
Sources
1. Incidence rates, American Academy of Dermatology
2. Types of Skin Cancer, American Academy of Dermatology
3. What Is Melanoma Skin Cancer?, American Cancer Society, 2023
4. Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer, American Cancer Society, 2025
5. What to look for: ABCDEs of Melanoma, American Academy of Dermatology
6. How to Protect Your Skin from UV Rays, American Cancer Society, 2024
7. Sun-Protective Clothing, The National Skin Cancer Foundation, 2025
8. 10 surprising facts about indoor tanning, American Academy of Dermatology, 2023
9. Melanoma, MedlinePlus, 2018
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