Stay health by protecting your skin (letter to the editor) [Video]

May is Skin Cancer Prevention Month. As we begin to spend more time outside, and perhaps look forward to special occasions like prom, the Cancer Prevention in Action (CPiA) Program wants to remind people to protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays come from the sun and indoor tanning. Tanned skin is damaged skin and can lead to skin cancer.

There are three types of skin cancer. The deadliest is melanoma because it can spread throughout the body. Up to 9 in 10 melanomas are caused by too much exposure to UV rays. Staten Island has the second highest rate of melanoma in New York City.

Here are a few facts about skin cancer:

—Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer.

— Anyone, regardless of skin tone, can develop skin cancer.

— Melanoma is one of the top four cancers for New York State adults ages 20 to 34.

— 9 out of 10 of melanomas can be prevented!

To protect yourself against …