Assumption: I can’t get sunburned when I’m in or around the water.

Water offers limited protection from UV (ultraviolet) radiation. About 40% of UV radiation can still reach the body at 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) below the water surface. 1,2

Assumption: I can’t get sunburned on a cloudy day.

You can get sunburned on a cloudy day. UV radiation still gets through light cloud cover, so unprotected skin can be damaged. 1

Assumption: I don’t need to worry about sunburn because I have brown skin.

Everyone, regardless of skin type and color, is at risk of skin and eye damage. 1

About melanin: Naturally darker-skinned people have more eumelanin pigment and naturally fair-skinned people have more pheomelanin pigment. While eumelanin can protect the skin from sun damage and pheomelanin does not, anyone can be at risk for skin cancer regardless of skin tone. 2

Assumption: Using a sunscreen with SPF50 means I can be exposed to the sun much longer than if I use a sunscreen with SPF15.

A high-number SPF does not mean you can spend more time outside without reapplying your sunscreen. The SPF tells you how much of the sun's rays is filtered, not how long it will last. All sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating. 1,2 

Assumption: Melanoma is found only in existing moles. In general, my skin is normal-looking and so I don’t need to check my skin regularly.

20-30% of melanomas are found in existing moles. 70-80% arise on normal-looking skin. 2

Assumption: Men don’t need to be concerned about melanoma or skin checks as much as women.

Of the invasive cases, 58,120 will occur in men and 39,490 will occur in women. 2