Spring break is here and summer is just around the corner. With the warm weather and inviting beaches, more teenagers will be out in the sun soaking up the rays.

But did you know that more than 1 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States, most of them caused by exposure to the sun? An estimated one out of five Americans will get some form of skin cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common type of cancer.

I was almost one of those people.

I always thought, “Oh, it won’t happen to me.” But as soon as the doctor walked in the room and announced they couldn’t rule out malignant melanoma (a harmful skin cancer,) reality sank in.

I had always looked forward to summertime, that one time of year I could lie in the sun with my friends at the beach and the pool. I was always pretty careful about putting on sunscreen, but, after hours of being outside, my face always ended up red and burnt.

So last April, when a small mole popped up on my cheek, I thought nothing of it. And in November, when I decided to get it removed, I continued not to worry.

But toward the end of December, when I got some bad lab results back, things started getting serious.

My doctors couldn’t tell from lab reports whether it was skin cancer, or just a harmless mole. Now, after three months, two surgeries and countless trips to see doctors two hours away at the University of Virginia, skin cancer has been ruled out.

My situation made me realize that many teens may not understand the dangers of the sun unless they experience them for themselves.

For instance, tanning beds are extremely popular among teens. Many believe a tan makes them look fashionable and stylish. One study concluded that 37 percent of girls and 11 percent of guys have used a tanning bed. But tanning beds are worse for you than the actual sun. In fact, tanning beds give off 15 times more UV radiation than the sun.

So how can you protect yourself? Doctors recommend wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on a year-round basis. An SPF of 15 protects you from about 93 percent of the sun’s harmful rays. The sun reflects off of surfaces such as ice, water and snow. When you are around those elements, you need to wear extra protection.

If you have your heart set on getting that perfect tan, try a self-tanner. They are completely harmless and still give you the look you are looking for.
As for me, my life is starting to return to normal after my scare with skin cancer.

However, things will never really be completely back to normal. For the rest of my life, I’ll have to be extra cautious in the sun.