GD9 CTW fileÒ  Medical 01, Ò Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in our country. It strikes quite frequently. The statistics show about one out of every seven people are stricken with the disease each year. There are many different types of skin cancers, but they are distinguished by an abnormal growth of cells in a layer or layers of the skin. The good news is that just about nine out of ten cases of skin cancer can be cured with early treatment and detection. Much has been written about the impact the sun has on the skin. The aging factor that the sun has on the skin is obvious. What is not so clear is exactly how much exposure to the rays of the sun is safe. Can a person still enjoy being outside without constantly being concerned about skin cancer? The answer is not a simple one since different parts of the body react in different ways to the sun. For example, the neck and back are usually more of a problem for men. For women, the problem area seems to be the legs. Sun screens are always a good idea, but they shouldn't lull you into a false sense of security. In your zest for the perfect tan, you must realize that there are some real risks involved. While your skin may not burn because you have applied a good sun screen, this does not mean that you are fully protected from developing skin cancer. As in many aspects of life, moderation is usually the best idea. Use common sense and a good sun block to protect yourself from the sun; reapply sun screen every hour or even more.