Can you guess what is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States?

It is skin cancer, with 5 million Americans treated each year. Treatment for skin cancer accounts for $8.1 billion in health-care costs annually. Perhaps most important is the fact that skin cancer is preventable.

Last week, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a call to action to prevent skin cancer. The effort aims to launch a collaborative, multisector effort, so our nation can reverse the rising tide of this disease.

Each year in the U.S., there are 63,000 newly diagnosed cases of melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma is also responsible for 9,000 annual deaths.

While skin cancer most commonly affects light-skinned people, it is a myth that dark-skinned people are not at risk. In fact, among darker-skinned people, diagnosis of skin cancer may be delayed, making it more difficult to treat.

A major risk factor for skin cancer is overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. One clear sign of this is sunburn, which affects one in three Americans each year.

In addition, it is estimated that 400,000 annual cases of skin cancer in the U.S. result from indoor tanning, including 6,000 annual cases of melanoma. Despite this well-known risk, nearly one in three white women in the U.S. engage in indoor tanning each year.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Burning Truth” campaign seeks to correct several other myths about tanning. The CDC points out a base tan is not a safe tan, controlled tanning is not safe tanning and tanned skin is not healthy skin.

During peak daytime hours, as little as 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure can damage the skin. There are a variety of ways to protect your body from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Basic sun safety begins with selecting proper protective clothing including long-sleeves and pants when possible. A hat with a wide brim can effectively protect high-risk areas, such as the face, neck, ears and scalp. Sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection can not only protect sensitive skin around the eyes, but they also can reduce risk of cataracts.

Another important component for sun protection in the outdoors is regular and proper use of sunscreen. Sunscreen is rated for UV protection using a number for SPF, or sun protection factor. Appropriate sunscreen should be rated SPF 15 or above.

Sunscreen should be frequently reapplied because it wears off. This includes reapplying at least every two hours and also after swimming, sweating or toweling off.

A combination of strategies can protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Regular use of sunscreen, protective clothing and seeking shade or shelter from direct sunlight when possible may reduce your risk of skin cancer.

The use of indoor tanning equipment should always be avoided.

Practicing these simple preventive measures will not only reduce your skin cancer risk, but it also will preserve your the health of your skin.

Dr. Matthew A. Clark is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and pediatrics practicing at the Ute Mountain Ute Health Center in Towaoc.