Fun in the Sun?

Experts say skin cancer rates are skyrocketing in young adults. Learn what you can do to protect yourself.

For young adults, the incidence of skin cancer is increasing dramatically. A recent Mayo Clinic-funded study showed that the rate of non-melanoma skin cancer has quadrupled among people under age 40. In women, the rate for one type of non-melanoma skin cancer increased by seven times over 24 years. Historically, non-melanoma skin cancer is unusual in people under age 50, says Randall Roenigk, M.D., chair of Mayo Clinic's Department of Dermatology and one of the study's researchers.

"While we don't have a crystal ball, with such a big increase [in skin cancer] in young adults, we expect the incidence of skin cancer to jump exponentially as people age," he says. More than a million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed every year in the United States. It can appear several ways:

• Pearly or waxy bump on the face, ears or neck
• Flat, flesh-colored or brown scarlike lesion on the chest or back
• Firm, red nodule on the face, lips, ears, neck, hands or arms
• Flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface on the face, ears, neck, hands or arms

The researchers reviewed medical records of 485 adults under age 40 in Olmsted County, Minn., who were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer between 1976 and 2003. They found that the incidence of tumors increased with age, as expected. However, the study also showed increasing tumor incidence over time in the youngest adults.

The medical records-based study didn't determine the reason for the overall increase, but Dr. Roenigk says it's easy to speculate. People are accruing far more ultraviolet exposure at younger ages. Ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure, from the sun or from tanning beds, is the biggest risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer, along with fair skin and duration of exposure.

"Young people aren't thinking about consequences of UV exposure," Dr. Roenigk says, "but they should be." Non-melanoma skin cancer is a preventable disease. While not as deadly as melanoma, it's nothing to ignore. Treatment typically involves excising the cancer. Once you have had non-melanoma skin cancer, you're at a higher risk for recurrence.

As another summer sunning season starts, Dr. Roenigk offers this advice: When you are in the sun, cover up or use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Skip the tanning booth. If you really desire a bronzy glow, try a "spray-on" tan. It's considered safe, but spray-on tanning products don't include sun protection.