July is UV Safety Awareness Month: How Will You Spread the Word?

Every month has a meaning, and for July, we're placing an emphasis on UV awareness.

Skin cancer, one of the most common types of cancer in the United States, could be prevented through various cautionary treatments that help protect the skin--yet many neglect these procedures, all together. And this could potentially cost some their lives. 

Melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer that can develop when unrepaired DNA hits skin cells and triggers mutations that lead to skin cells that multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors, is forming at an alarmingly higher rate in the United States. And even after a patient's cancer has been eradicated, studies show that it can reoccur.

"For patients with melanoma, survival beyond 10 years without a recurrence has been considered nearly synonymous with a cure," said principal investigator Mark Faries, MD, FACS, a professor of surgery at the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, according to a press release, via a recent study. "However, most studies do not follow up patients longer than 10 years.  Our study found that late melanoma recurrence is not rare and that it occurs more frequently in certain patient groups."

The American Cancer Society also estimates that nearly 76,700 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. That's why it's important to practice proper safety measures that can prevent most types of skin cancers.

For example, when stepping outside, make sure to slather on some sunscreen in order to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, sunscreen helps in preventing skin cancer and may even slow the process of skin aging.

Health Finder also suggests that you share your safety practices with friends, relatives and even strangers in order to prevent future health problems for others.

How will you make a difference?