Unfortunately, your comment isn't at the top. There are very simple guidelines that can help prevent melanoma, especially for people at risk: - Avoid exposing

Unfortunately, your comment isn't at the top. There are very simple guidelines that can help prevent melanoma, especially for people at risk: - Avoid exposing your skin to the sun, especially when it's high. Use high SPF (30+) sun screen (water resistant if you'll be swimming); wear longsleeves, hats and sunglasses. (Good sunglasses are important, as you can have ocular melanoma) - Obviously, don't use tanning booths. - Plan a visit with a dermatologist at least once per year. This is very important. Just like you'd get your tooth, eyes, etc... checked every year, take the habit to see a dermatologist. - If you're especially at risk, regulary check your skin for signs of changes. Nowadays it's easy to take pictures with a digital camera (or phone) so that you can see how the spots and moles evolve. How do you know if you're in the population at risk? If you have moles, OR are fair-skinned / haired, OR have freckles (all of these are usuall signs of an overall general sensitivity to sun exposure), you are at risk. Obviously, if there are family antecedants of skin cancer, you are at risk. Also, if your work or hobbies expose your skin regularly and for prolonged periods of time to the Sun, you are at risk. Personal story: I have a friend who has had a mole removed in the knee, and which proved to be ultimately (after testing) malignant. Fortunately this was caught early. And I've had personnally a mole removed in the back, though it was found to be benign. Skin cancer risk can be greatly reduced by these simple precautions, so please people, try to follow these.