Ladies Watch Out! Skin Cancer Is On The Rise For You

Melanoma. Even the word sounds scary. And it should frighten you. Or at least, make you think twice before lying in the sun, over and over again.

No one needs a long lecture here, but the latest statistics for women aged 15-39 are alarming. Reasearchers have found that deadly skin cancer is on the rise for younger women, but not for younger men. Cases of melanoma among women have jumped some 50%, according to a study just published on July 10, 2008 by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

It's worrying," said Mark Purdue, a research fellow at the National Cancer Institute, who led the analysis published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. "What we are seeing in young adults right now could foretell a much larger number of melanoma cases in older women."

What exactly is melanoma? Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer. Melanoma can develop as a mole that's changed shape, or with the appearance of a new mole.

The research does not show why melanoma among women is fastly increasing. Some theories suggest that younger women are spending more time getting recreational sun exposure or using indoor tanning beds.

In the meantime, if you plan on being in the sun, please arm yourself with the right kind of sunscreen.

The number one best sunscreen for 2008, according to Consumer Reports:

Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch, 45 SPF. Score: 86/100.Excellent protection all the way around. Cost: $4.33 per fl. oz.

When applying sunscreen, the Food and Drug Administration says a sunscreen works most effectively when:

Applied about a half-hour before heading outside and applied liberally on all exposed skin (Many dermatologists suggest at least a teaspoon of sunscreen just for the face.) Reapplied at least every two hours or more often if you're sweating. Reapplied after swimming.