Skin Cancer Isn't Just a Summer Problem

April 23, 2026

Quick Answer: Yes, you need sunscreen year-round — not just at the beach. UV rays are present every day, penetrate clouds and car windows, and damage your skin whether or not you can feel them. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., but it's also one of the most preventable. Daily sunscreen, monthly self-checks, and an annual skin exam with a dermatologist are your three best defenses.

Key Takeaways

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. — more than 104,000 new invasive melanoma cases are expected in 2025 alone.
UV radiation is a year-round risk: up to 80% of UV rays penetrate clouds, and more than 50% of UVA rays pass through glass.
A base tan does not protect you. Any tan is a sign of skin damage.
SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen blocks about 97% of UVB rays — and should be reapplied every two hours (or after swimming/sweating).
Use the ABCDE rule to self-check moles monthly: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving.
Any changing, growing, or unusual spot warrants a call to your dermatologist — don't wait.

The weather is warming up, the kids are heading back outside, and North Texans are dusting off their hiking boots, filling up pools, and logging more hours in the sun. Which makes this the perfect moment for a reset on one of the most misunderstood health topics out there: skin cancer.

The most common myth? Protecting your skin is only a summertime issue. It isn't — and believing that might be costing you more than a sunburn.

The Year-Round Reality of UV Exposure

Here's what most people don't realize: the sun's ultraviolet rays don't clock out when temperatures drop or clouds roll in. There are two types of UV radiation that affect your skin:

UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburns. They're strongest in summer and at midday, but they're present all year.

UVA rays are the more serious, stealthier threat. They penetrate the skin more deeply, drive premature aging, and contribute to skin cancer — and their intensity remains consistent throughout the year, regardless of season or weather. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays also pass through clouds and glass. That means your commute, your home office by the window, and your drive to pick up the kids all count as sun exposure.

The numbers put it in perspective: up to 80% of UV rays penetrate clouds, and more than 50% of UVA radiation passes through car and home windows. And sun damage is cumulative, meaning it adds up year after year, exposure after exposure. The sooner you treat protection as a daily habit rather than a seasonal one, the better.

Myths Worth Busting

"I have darker skin, so I don't need sunscreen."

Melanin does offer some natural protection against UVB rays, but it provides minimal defense against UVA, and it doesn't prevent skin cancer. People with darker skin tones are diagnosed later and at more advanced stages, which is part of why this myth is particularly harmful. Broad-spectrum sunscreen is recommended for everyone, regardless of skin tone.

"A base tan will protect me."

There is no such thing as a "safe" or "protective" tan. Tanning, whether from the sun or a UV tanning bed, is your skin's damage response. According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the extra melanin in tanned skin provides a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of about 2 to 4, far below the minimum recommended SPF of 15.

"I only need sunscreen when I'm at the pool or beach."

Any time you're outside — gardening, walking the dog, enjoying a meal on a patio, coaching the soccer game — you're accumulating UV exposure. And as we've established, even indoors near a window adds up over time.

"Sunscreen causes cancer."

This one has circulated on social media for years, and the answer is clear: there is no credible evidence that sunscreen causes cancer. In fact, consistent use of broad-spectrum SPF 30+ can reduce melanoma risk by up to 50%, according to research cited by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

How to Protect Yourself — and Do It Right

When it comes to sunscreen, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends:

Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher — this protects against both UVA and UVB rays
Apply generously — about one ounce (a shot glass full) for your whole body
Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, regardless of the SPF level
Don't forget the easy-to-miss spots: ears, back of the neck, tops of feet, scalp, and lips

Sunscreen is the foundation, not the whole plan. Protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, UV-blocking sunglasses, and seeking shade during peak hours (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) all contribute. For a full breakdown of what works and what doesn't, Texas Health's post Sun Protection Myths and Facts: What You Really Need to Know is a helpful read.

Know What You're Looking For: The ABCDE Rule

Monthly self-exams are one of the most powerful tools you have for early detection. Dermatologists recommend checking your skin head to toe in good lighting, using a mirror for hard-to-see areas, and knowing what's new or changing. The ABCDE rule — developed and endorsed by the AAD — gives you a simple framework:

A — Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other
B — Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred
C — Color: Multiple shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue in a single spot
D — Diameter: Larger than a pencil eraser (about 6mm), though melanomas can be smaller
E — Evolving: Any mole that is changing in size, shape, color, or developing new symptoms like itching, bleeding, or crusting

If a spot checks any of these boxes — or just doesn't look quite right — that's your cue to call your doctor.

When to Book a Skin Cancer Screening

Monthly self-checks are important, but they're not a substitute for a professional skin exam. The AAD recommends that anyone with a history of significant sun exposure, a family or personal history of skin cancer, or multiple moles schedule a full skin exam with a dermatologist at least annually.

You don't need to wait for something to look alarming. An exam is quick, non-invasive, and can catch things your eyes might miss. If your primary care doctor spots something worth investigating, they can refer you to a dermatologist or oncologist.

Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early. The best thing you can do this May — and every month — is pay attention, protect yourself, and don't put off a check you've been meaning to schedule.