Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is a growing health concern in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, melanoma cases have increased significantly over the past decade.
What Cities Have the Highest Rates of Skin Cancer?
According to the Blue Cross Blue Sheild Associations recent Health of America Report, 7.1 percent of Floridians have been diagnosed with skin cancer. This makes Florida one of the states with the highest disease rates. Other cities with the highest melanoma cases include Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Vermont, all of which have rates ranging from 5.3 to 5.8 percent.
But why do these cities have such high rates of skin cancer? Factors such as increased UV radiation exposure, higher temperatures, and ozone depletion may contribute to the risk of developing this disease.
What Cities Have the Lowest Rates of Skin Cancer?
On the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii has some of the lowest rates of skin cancer in the country. According to the National Cancer Institute, only 1.8 percent of residents in Hawaii have been diagnosed with melanoma, making it one of the best states to live in to protect yourself from this disease. Other states with low skin cancer rates include Oklahoma, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer?
You can do several things to protect yourself from skin cancer. Those most important being to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Also, wearing long sleeves and pants when possible, seeking shade during peak UV hours, and avoiding tanning beds. Additionally, you may want to consider using facial mists with SPF, such as our Zinc It Over SPF facial mists. These mists are lightweight, easy to apply, and suitable for all skin types. This makes them a convenient and fun option for reapplying your SPF throughout the day, even over makeup.
Melanoma is a serious and growing health concern in the United States, but with proper prevention measures, you can reduce your risk of developing this disease. While it's safe to say that there is no one hundred percent solution to preventing skin cancer, taking the sun-safety measures mentioned above is a great place to start.
