Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer - accounting for about half of all the cancers. It's hard to know the exact number of skin cancer cases, because some cases are not reported. The American Cancer Society has designated May as Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

The best way to lower the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer is to avoid intense sunlight for long periods of time and to practice sun safety. You can continue to exercise and enjoy the outdoors while practicing sun safety at the same time. Some smart sun safety tips include:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Seek shade: Look for shade, especially in the middle of the day when the sun's rays are strongest. Practice the shadow rule and teach it to children. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun's rays are at their strongest.
• Slip on a shirt: Cover up with protective clothing to guard as much skin as possible when you are in the sun. Choose comfortable clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that you cannot see through when held up to a light.
• Slop on sunscreen: Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply a generous amount (about a palmful) and reapply after swimming, towel drying, or perspiring. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days.
• Slap on a hat: Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears and neck. If you choose a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.
• Wear sunglasses with 99-100 percent ultraviolet (UV) absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and the surrounding skin.

Skin cancer is dangerous because everyone is at risk for it, no matter what the skin color. Everyone needs to protect himself or herself from the sun and should be familiar with their own skin, especially the pattern of moles, freckles and beauty marks. It may also be helpful to have someone else check the skin on the back. Being alert to changes in the number, size, shape, or color of spots on the skin by thoroughly examining the skin is the best way to do this. A doctor should be called if any unusual changes are found.

For special occasions like prom, weddings, or spring break, having a tan was once considered a necessity. But heading to a tanning bed is just as dangerous as tanning outdoors. Both can have lasting effects on the skin. Sun exposure adds up day after day. It happens whenever someone is outdoors gardening, sailing, skiing, fishing, hiking or simply walking to and from the car. Sunlight reflects off water, sand, concrete, boat decks and snow. It also reaches below the water's surface. UV rays are present even on cloudy days. Also, some prescription drugs can greatly increase the skin's sensitivity to UV rays.

For Americans diagnosed with skin cancer each year, melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. With careful examination of the skin, most melanomas can be detected early and treated successfully. When diagnosed early, melanoma can be cured. But if it is not found soon enough, it can be very serious.

No one is entirely free from the risk of melanoma. People who have many moles, irregular moles, or large moles are at the highest risk of developing melanoma. Others who run a high risk include those who have fair skin that burns and freckles easily like naturally red or blond hair; and those who have had sunburns as a child or as young adults. Although melanoma is less common among people with darker skin who seldom become sunburned, no one is immune to melanoma.

For more information about skin cancer call the American Cancer Society toll free at 800-ACS-2345.