As summer arrives, sun worshipersare stocking up on swimsuitsand buying ready-madesalon tans. Indeed, summer is atime for sunbathing and outdooractivities, but it’s also the seasonfor skin cancer.

People who refuse to put sunscreenon their faces because theoily substance blocks pores andgenerates more sweat, are doingthemselves no favors.

The price for not protectingone’s skin can be high. The UVradiation from the sun causes prematureaging of the skin and canseverely damage the immune system,making people vulnerableto disease and bacteria. And thenthere’s the high possibility of gettingskin cancer.

Of the three most commontypes of skin cancer – basal cell,squamous cell and melanoma -only the first two kinds are treatable.According to the FDA, about1 million Americans suffer fromskin cancer each year, and thecases of melanoma are risingto nearly 40,000. Among these,nearly 8,000 deaths are anticipatedthis year.

There are those who believethat skin cancer only occurs inold age. However, according tothe University of Oregon HealthCenter report, melanoma sufferersare usually 39-years-old oryounger.

Skin cancer has delayed effects.The symptoms don’t showup upon the first sunburn; the ruinedskin cells build up and lingerfor as long as 20 or 30 years.Tanning lamps and sun bedsare not safe alternatives; the riskof getting skin cancer from thesedevices is higher at a young age,according to a report of the EuropeanUnion’s Scientific Committee.

In Britain, at least 100 peoplea year die from tanning lampsand sun beds, according to ABCNews.

De Anza College Health EducatorLicia Johnson advises studentsto use a sun block that protectsboth UVA and B. She alsosuggests that students wear looseclothing with long sleeves.

Next time, when you aretempted to bask under the sun,don’t think of the resulting tan.Instead, think of the long termdamage to your skin, and dosomething about it.