It’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Here’s How To Protect Yourself This Memorial Day

The solstice may not happen for another few weeks, but in the U.S., Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. Barbecues, pool parties, long hiking trails and other outdoor activities beckon — but the same sun that makes them so delightful can also be a danger.

Along with Memorial Day and Mother’s Day, May also marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is America’s most common cancer, with more than five million cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

There is good news, though: Skin cancer is largely preventable. Below, we’ll dive into what you need to know to keep yourself and your family safe — this and every summer.

What makes skin cancer uniquely preventable?

While not all skin cancers are caused by ultraviolet light overexposure, most are — including the most deadly type, melanoma. Along with the visible spectrum of light we can see as human beings, the sun also emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation — which means it can be a major source of UV exposure that may increase the risk of skin cancers.

How much does the risk increase? Again, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, even one blistering sunburn in youth more than doubles your risk of developing melanoma in adulthood. Furthermore, the skin damage caused by sunburn is accumulative, so each subsequent light exposure adds to overall risk — and damage can happen even with no obvious burn.

In other words, avoiding sun exposure is a big deal when it comes to lowering skin cancer risk. And fortunately, it doesn’t have to be difficult.

How to protect your skin — and pay for prevention

After a long, cold winter, most of us are excited to get out in the sun. Playing it safe doesn’t have to mean holing up inside — but wearing sun-protective clothing, hats and UV protective sunglasses can go a long way. (Yes, melanoma can start in the eyeball.)

Any skin that’s not covered by clothing should be slathered with sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Along with reducing your risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCS) by about 40% and melanoma by about 50%, the practice can also help prevent premature signs of aging like wrinkles. Just remember to reapply as directed — and don’t forget an SPF-containing chapstick!

If you need even more incentive to wear it daily, you’ll be happy to learn that sunscreen and other SPF-containing products are usually FSA and HSA eligible. (Here are the main differences between FSAs and HSAs.)

And another piece of good news is that skin cancer does tend to be among the most survivable cancers — provided it’s found quickly. Even for melanoma — which, again, is the most deadly — the five-year survival rate is more than 99% for patients who detect their cancer early, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

That means another important line of defense is regular skin checks. Examine the skin on your entire body for moles, birthmarks and anything that looks unfamiliar. Cancer.org offers a great guide on how to conduct a thorough self skin exam once per month.

If you or a loved one does get skin cancer, treatment will likely be covered by your insurance policy, though you may still be responsible for some amount of copay or coinsurance. If you’ve been sunburned many times, live in a very sunny climate or are otherwise at high risk for skin cancer, it may be worth asking about specific coverages while you’re shopping around for your health insurance policy. Paying a higher premium up front may save you costs later if you end up needing a costly treatment.