Olay Articles

The sun's ultraviolet rays are the number one cause of skin cancer, but there are other risk factors to consider. Melanoma is the seventh most common cancer among women, but it is one of the few cancers that can be prevented.

You are at a higher risk if you:

• Have had chronic and prolonged exposure to the sun, meaning multiple sunburns since childhood and years of sunbathing.


• Are fair-skinned or light-skinned. You have more than 20 times greater risk. (However, all skin types need sun protection.)


• Have a family history of skin cancer. If your parents or grandparents — or both — have had it, you may be prone.


• Have a personal history of skin cancer.


• Have had many sunburns early in life.


• Have a large number of moles or have atypical, unusual-looking moles.