Help Teens Practice Safer Sun

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• Practice skin self-exams -- Your teenager should examine his or skin regularly.  You can help by having a family skin check day periodically (say every 3 months) and by helping your teen check hard-to-see areas such as the back. 

• See a dermatologist -- If your teen has a lot of moles, any irregular-looking moles, or any changing moles, he or she should see a dermatologist -- an expert in skin problems. This is especially important for teenagers since adolescence is a time when new moles may form and old moles may change -- and that makes it hard for you to know which moles are okay and which aren't.

And don't forget to practice what you preach. Children -- even teenagers -- learn from their parents. Use sunscreen liberally, check your skin regularly, and see a dermatologist for a skin check.

A healthy teenage lifestyle means so many things: avoiding early sexual activity, staying free of drugs and alcohol, and keeping fit mentally and physically. Nowadays, it also means practicing safer sun.

Help your teen make this a lifetime habit and he or she will someday be glad you did.

Get more information on skin cancer and sun protection strategies from The Skin Cancer Foundation at www.skincancer.org and The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org (www.cancer.org).