The first line of defense in skin cancer is recognition which is vital to early diagnosis.  The most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma, which can appear anywhere on the skin. Melanoma can stem from a mole you've had forever or begin on a completely unmarked area of skin.

The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which appears as a red bump, usually in areas such the neck, head, extremities and upper torso. Another type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, has more unusual characteristics; the bump is usually scaly and appears in random places that are generally never exposed to the sun.

Sun damage can appear in other, less dangerous but unsightly ways as well. Sunspots do not usually appear until after the age of 40. While sunspots are not cancerous, they can be an early indicator that you will develop skin cancer later in life.

Knowing the signs of skin cancer is paramount to successful treatment in the early stages, but there are no valid reasons to expose your skin to cancer causing rays. Responsible adults should not only protect themselves but teach their children to use caution as well. A child's skin is more susceptible to sun damage because the melanin is underdeveloped. There is a direct correlation between childhood sunburns and your risk for cancer in later years.

Applying sunscreen is important, but sun protective swimwear is imperative. The highest level of UVR protection in clothing is UPF 50+. The swimwear meeting this requirement may not be the popular string bikinis you see in magazines, but keeping the skin covered is the best way to prevent skin cancer. The materials may seem thicker as well because they are tightly woven to prevent the damaging rays from penetrating the cloth.

Remember to use a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen on all exposed areas in addition to the sun protective swimwear.  Make sure that you plan ahead because most sunscreen directions say to apply 30 minutes prior to exposure. Hats and sunglasses can also help protect the eyes and face of adults and children alike from harmful UVA and UVB rays.