While new cases of most cancers declined from 1990-1996, melanoma is one of the few cancers that continues to increase, at a rate of approximately 3 percent per year.

NSC recommends that adults and children regularly examine their skin. Review your entire body including your back, your scalp, the soles of your feet, between your toes, and the palms of your hands. If you see any changes in the size, color, shape, or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole, or any other unusual changes in the skin, contact your dermatologist or physician as soon as possible.

NSC also recommends that adults and children follow preventative sun safety practices. Click here for more information on skin cancer prevention. EHC's Sun Safety: A Growing Health Concern video is an excellent resource for educating others about overexposure to the sun.

During May, and throughout the year, approximately 2,000 volunteer dermatologists associated with the American Academy of Dermatology provide free screenings for early skin cancers, including melanoma. These screenings take place at local hospitals and clinics, offices, health fairs, and other designated sites. To find a screening in your local community, visit the American Academy of Dermatology's Web site at http://www.aad.org/skinscrn.html for a list of dermatologists conducting free skin cancer screenings.

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