Every year, we become increasingly excited when summer rolls around, but do we really take the time to assess the increased hazards to our skin? May is Melanoma month and the perfect time for those of you who love the summer sun to take a moment to learn about the potential dangers to your skin, and find out what you can do to prevent future damage.

Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer, affecting over 50,000 Americans each year. Increased exposure to ultraviolet light causes melanocytes to grow increasingly abnormally and become cancerous. Generally, Melanoma affects women around the hips and lower legs, while men more often have Melanoma around the upper body, facial, and neck areas.

It's important to perform a routine self-check skin exam about once every 6 to 8 weeks, checking for changes of growth, color, and size of moles and pigmented areas. If you see a significant change or are concerned, don't hesitate to have your skin checked by a physician or dermatologist. Often, when Melanoma is caught early, it can be treated with minor surgery to remove the affected area. In more advanced cases, Melanoma may require extreme chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Taking steps now to protect our skin from the sun and skin cancer prevention is ideal.