Spring is here and summer is near, which means it is time for everyone to pay extra attention to sun overexposure, which can be dangerous to the skin. Health experts warn that it is not only baking in the sun that can cause skin cancer; people who use tanning beds to artificially bronze their skin may also be at higher risk.

What is Skin Cancer?

There are several types of cancer that forms in skin tissues. Melanoma forms in skin cells that make pigment (cells known as melanocytes). Basal cell carcinoma forms in the base of the outer layer of cells (small, round basal cells), while squamous cell carcinoma forms in the squamous cells forming the skin's surface. Neuroendocrine carcinoma is a kind of skin cancer that forms in neuroendocrine cells releasing hormones upon receiving signals from the body's nervous system.

Medical authorities estimate that there were more than one million new cases of skin cancer in the United States last year.

Should You Lie in That Bed?

According to the Melanoma Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization funding research for treatments and a cure of melanoma, exposure to the UV radiation of tanning beds is dangerous. The group says use of tanning beds before the age of 30 raises the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent.

The group acknowledges that the Food and Drug Administration currently classifies tanning beds as safe. At a recent media briefing attended by a CNN reporter and others, Dr. David E. Fisher, a foundation advisor, said the government's classification is a mistake, "given the scientific evidence, that's something we now know to be false."

The tanning industry strongly disagrees. In a statement on its website, the Indoor Tanning Association states: "The protective benefits of UV radiation are undeniable. Warnings about limited and sensible exposure to the sun or UV radiation are exaggerated."

Safe Sunning

The Skin Cancer Foundation offers spring break tanners and summer sun worshippers the following advice to keep your skin safe:

• Use a broad-spectrum SPF 15+ waterproof sunscreen and lip balm
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your head and neck from sunlight
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes
• When on the beach, cover your legs with a sarong or loose pants
• Use a beach umbrella to help you stay in the shade

Protect Yourself

One of the keys to successfully treating skin cancer is an early, accurate diagnosis by a doctor. If you have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma or other form of skin cancer, you know that the disease can cause extensive injuries and even result in death if left untreated. If you believe your physician should have diagnosed your skin cancer earlier, contact a Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case. You may be entitled to cancer-related medical costs, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering.