Officials Emphasizing The Importance Of Skin Protection Amid Rising Cancer Rates

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)-- Soon this dreary weather will be a thing of the past. But as you get ready to break out your bathing suit and hit the beach, medical professionals are emphasizing the importance of skin protection.

People lined up at the Patchogue YMCA Saturday to get full body screenings for skin cancer, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

Nurse Amy Ferrara from Stony Brook University Cancer Center told WCBS 880 skin cancer is on the rise, especially for young people. She said if you see any changes to skin, including changes to moles or beauty marks, you should see a doctor immediately.

"So certainly if you have a history of sunburns as a child, indoor tanning," Ferrara said.

And of course everyone should protect their skin.

"The best prevention is to protect yourself using SPF 30 or above sunscreen. It should have UVA and UVB protection. There are also a lot of clothing that have the UV protective factor that you can wear. Using umbrellas while on the beach," she added.

Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined.