Protect Yourself Against Skin Cancer

June 9, 2005 — -- Summer's here -- and so is the hot sun. Beach time, outdoor sports and barbecues are just some of the summer activities that keep you in the sun. But you need to be aware of the warning signs of skin cancer.

This year, 26,000 women and 33,580 men in the United States will be diagnosed with skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. A total of about 7,770 men and women will die of it.

Now the most common cause of cancer in women ages 25 through 29, skin cancer, or melanoma, is second only to lung cancer in women ages 30 through 34.

You can protect yourself and your family from the sun's harmful rays simply by lathering on the sunscreen, and keeping a close watch on moles that appear on the surface of your skin.

ABC News Medical Editor Dr.Tim Johnson appeared on "Good Morning America" this morning to map out the ABCs of skin cancer detection. By following this simple grid, you can detect melanomas early, which is crucial in the fight against skin cancer.

Dr. Tim also recommends that everyone see a dermatologist at least once a year.