The Friday before Memorial Day is designated “Don’t Fry Day” by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. It’s a day devoted to raising awareness about sun safety. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and ultraviolet (UV) rays are the primary cause. With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Phoenicians are exposed to UV rays more than most Americans. By sharing these quizzes, the experts at Affiliated Dermatology hope to generate conversations and help Valley families avoid skin cancer.

Sun Safety Quiz: True or False

1. The best time to avoid the sun is 10 am to 4pm.
2. The sun’s rays are stronger when you’re in or near water.
3. People with blonde hair are most at risk of skin cancer.
4. My makeup has SPF so I don’t need a separate sunscreen.
5. The best sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

Answers

1. True. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 am and 4pm
2. True. The sun’s rays reflect off the water.
3. False. Natural redheads, regardless of skin tone, have a higher risk of skin cancer than brunettes. But remember, people with all colors of hair are at risk.
4. False. While some makeup products may have SPF, it’s not a broad spectrum, which protects from UVA and UVB rays.
5. False. SPF 15 blocks about 30 percent of UVB rays while SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent. Be sure to check the label beyond the number. You want a broad-spectrum product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Skin Cancer Quiz: True or False

1. Skin cancer is easy to spot.
2. If diagnosed early, skin cancers can almost always be cured.
3. The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma.
4. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma.
5. People of color don’t need to worry about skin cancer.

Answers

1. False. Skin cancers appear in many colors, shapes, and sizes. The most important warning signs are a new spot, bump or growth on your skin or a spot that looks different from the others.
2. True. The most common types can be cured when they’re small and have not spread.
3. True. 90 percent of skin cancer in the U.S. is basal cell carcinoma.
4. True. It’s the most serious and aggressive of the three main skin cancers.
5. False. All people are at risk of skin cancer. While people of color may have a lower risk of developing skin cancer than Caucasians, they are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Quiz Sources: National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, American Academy of Dermatology