Living in the Sunshine State usually means endless sun and outdoor fun. But all that sun comes with a serious risk: skin cancer.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month, and skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Among the different types, melanoma is the most dangerous.

What is Melanoma?

The word melanoma means “black tumor,” as most melanomas are black or brown in color. However, they can also appear pink, purple, red or even skin-toned.

Though melanoma only accounts for about 1% of all skin cancer cases, it causes the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Why? Because melanoma is a very aggressive form of cancer. It grows quickly, can spread to any organ in the body and becomes more challenging to treat the longer it goes undetected.

An estimated 212,200 melanoma cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2025, with approximately 8,500 men and women dying from the disease.

Why Melanoma is important to Floridians

Florida’s year-round sunshine increases a person's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays – one of the biggest risk factors for developing melanoma. UV rays damage the DNA in your skin cells, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer. According to recent research, it is believed that 86% of melanoma cases are caused by solar UV radiation.

Tanning beds are another major risk. Classified as carcinogenic (cancer-causing) by the World Health Organization, they may be linked to more than 6,000 melanoma cases in the U.S. each year.

What is your Melanoma risk?

Anyone can develop melanoma, and it can form anywhere on your body. It can develop on your eyes or even, in some rare cases, your internal organs. Men typically develop melanoma on their upper back, while women are more likely to find melanoma on their legs.

Your risk of melanoma is higher if you:

• Have fair skin, red or blonde hair, freckles, and/or blue eyes,
• Spend a lot of time in the sun,
• Had multiple sunburns, especially before age 18,
• Use tanning beds,
• Have a personal or family history of skin cancer,
• Have many moles or atypical moles,
• Have a weakened immune system.

Melanoma is more common in people with light skin, but it can affect people of all skin tones. In people with darker skin, melanoma often appears on the palms, soles of the feet or under nails.

If you are curious about your melanoma risk, the National Cancer Institute has a Melanoma Risk Assessment Tool.

Recognizing Melanoma

About 30% of melanomas begin in existing moles, but the majority start in normal-looking skin. That’s why knowing your skin and monitoring it for any changes is critical. Melanomas may appear as:

• A new mole or growth,
• A change in an existing mole, or,
• A scaly patch, open sore or raised bump.

To remember what to look for, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends following the ABCDE rule to recognize possible melanomas:

• Asymmetry: One half of the growth or mole doesn’t match the other.
• Border: The edges of the growth or mole are irregular or notched.
• Color: The color is uneven or has multiple shades, including black, brown, gray, tan, red or even white or blue.
• Diameter: The growth or mole is larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 millimeters).
• Evolving: Any changes in size, shape, elevation, color or symptoms can be a warning sign.

Also, be on the lookout for the “ugly duckling.” This is a warning sign when a mole looks different from all the rest. If something stands out on your skin, get it checked out by your doctor immediately. Melanoma is highly curable when caught early, with a 99% survival rate if diagnosed at the earliest stages.

How to protect yourself from Melanoma

Fortunately, you can easily reduce your risk of melanoma by practicing smart sun habits such as:

• Seek shade or the indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear protective clothing like hats with a brim, long sleeves and sunglasses
• Avoid tanning beds and opt for a sunless spray tan instead.
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy or rainy days.
• Reapply sunscreen every 1.5 to 2 hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
• Use SPF lip balm and don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your ears, hands, feet and back of the neck.
• Protect children with sunscreen and shade – infants under 6 months should always be kept out of direct sunlight.

Equally important is knowing when to see your doctor. If you notice a suspicious spot or a changing mole, don’t wait – call your doctor or a dermatologist. A skin biopsy can confirm whether the spot is cancerous. Also, ask your doctor for a full-body skin exam at your annual physical – and perform one at home regularly using a mirror and photos from your phone to track changes and, hopefully, catch melanoma early.

Our Florida sunshine is one of the best parts of living here, but it comes with a responsibility to protect your and your loved ones’ skin. Melanoma may be the most serious form of skin cancer, but it’s also one of the most preventable and treatable. So, enjoy our beautiful weather and protect your skin – every single day.