Skin care and skin protection in summer

Putting on sunscreen
Sharon Doyle puts sunscreen on the face of 9-year-old Savannah Stidham as they visit the beach June 20, 2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Joe Raedle | Getty Images 2006

Summertime means sunshine. But all that sun isn’t necessarily good for our skin. 

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and case rates are rising. The American Cancer Society estimates that almost 100,000 new melanoma cases, the most serious and third most common type of skin cancer, will be diagnosed this year. Minnesota has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the country.

But skin cancer is usually preventable. Protecting skin from the sun and avoiding the cell damage caused by tanning and sunburn can mean a much lower risk of cancer decades later.

MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with two dermatologists about skin cancer rates, who is most at risk, common ways we misuse sunscreen and how to keep your skin healthy.

Guests

  • Dr. Ingrid Polcari is a pediatrician and dermatologist and an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. 

  • Dr. Dawn Davis is a pediatrician and dermatologist and a professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. 

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.