Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but it can be prevented by avoiding over exposure to harmful ultra-violet light.

More than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the U. S. and approximately 9,000 people die from it each year. Skin cancer is primarily caused by over exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and from tanning salons. It maybe the result of a very bad sunburn years ago or from cumulative sun exposure over many years. Dr. Stephen Stone, professor of dermatology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains the types of skin cancer.

SOUND BITE: "The three that we most commonly think of are melanoma, sometimes called malignant melanoma, which is a redundancy, basal cell carcinoma, which is the single most common form of cancer in humans and squamous cell carcinoma, which is also a very common skin cancer, less so than basal cell carsanoma. Of the three, two of them commonly matasticize - melanoma matastizes or spreads to other organs and perhaps is the most dangerous one to have."

People who are at highest risk of getting skin cancer are those with light skin who always burn from too much sun exposure, while people with dark skin have the lowest risk of skin cancer from ultra-violet light. To avoid over exposure from the sun's damaging rays, Dr. Stone offers this advice:

SOUND BITE: " . . . using sunscreen on a regular basis, avoiding outdoor exposure between the tenderloin of the sun hours - the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Do your gardening outdoors early or late, play golf or tennis early in the morning or later in the day. Wear a hat. It is very important because your face is out in the sun all of the time."

Self examinations and skin screenings can detect skin cancer in its early stages. If you or someone you know has a skin spot that could be skin cancer, see a dermatologist or primary care physician for an evaluation and possible treatment.