As the summer months approach and you start to spend more time outdoors, it’s important to remember to protect your skin.  May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raising awareness of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. It develops in the cells that produce melanin. Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, but it is most commonly found on areas that have had significant exposure to the sun, such as the back, legs, arms, and face.

The American Skin Cancer Society says that there is no definitive way to prevent melanoma, but you can lower your risk of developing the disease by making a few simple changes. The most important step to take is to protect yourself from UV rays, that includes both natural sunlight and tanning beds. Make sure to use sunscreen every day, wear large wraparound sunglasses, and schedule routine skin exams.