That's Fit

It's all about skin this month -- May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. And while everyone who makes periodic appearances in the sun is at risk for skin cancer, there are certain folks most at risk. If you fit one of these categories, say the editors at Family Circle magazine, you should be especially cautious about your sun protection.

• You have fair skin that burns easily; blond or red hair; or blue, green, gray, or hazel eyes.

• You have more than 50 moles on your body.

• You have a family history of skin cancer or have already had an episode yourself.

• You have had severe sunburns as a child or teen.

• You live in a state home to lots of sun, like Florida, Arizona, or Texas.

• You spent summers in occupations with sun exposure, such as lifeguarding or construction work.

• You have used tanning beds frequently.

• You take a medication that increases your sensitivity to the sun.

Uh Oh. I fit all but two.

I've mostly had blond hair all my life, and I have hazel eyes too. I don't have more than 50 moles, but I do have a family history of skin cancer and have had a few pre-cancerous spots frozen off my body over the years. I've had my fair share of bad sunburns, I live in Florida, and I was once a fan of tanning beds. I've never worked out in the sun, and I don't take any medication at this time but the chemotherapy drugs I once received for breast cancer have left me with a condition called UV Recall -- this means the sun recalls the toxic drugs that traveled through my body, causing my skin to burn and bump.

All of these factors cause me to veer from the sun -- literally. I hide from it whenever I can. I sit in the shade when my kids splash in our neighborhood pool. I sit under an umbrella at my son's soccer games. I wear long sleeved shirts whenever I can. All because I'm at high risk for developing skin cancer. You might be too.

For more about the risks of sun exposure, check out this resource.