As part of our station's commitment to fighting and preventing cancer, on the seventh day of every month we bring you life saving information in our Health Check 7 report.

This 7th of May, we focus on skin cancer.

This time of year area residents understandably want to get outside and spend time in the sun.

But if that's the case, you should apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 every two hours.

"In addition to sunscreen, we encourage sun protection measures such as wearing long-brimmed hats with approximately a four inch brim, long sleeved shirts with lightweight material," said Dr. Katrina Smith, M.D. of Aspirus Dermatology.

She also suggests getting under shade, using umbrellas, and avoiding the sun when UV rays are most dangerous: between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, affecting nearly one million Americans each year.

"Typically skin cancers are found in older adults but with increasing recreational sun exposure, we are seeing an increase of skin cancers and melanoma in younger and younger patients," Dr. Smith said.

Fair complected blonde or red heads are most at risk to develop skin cancer. As are those who easily freckle or have a family history of the disease.

If you have a suspicious mole, it may be time to go to the doctor.

"If they have a lot of moles, typically over 50, or if their moles are large or funny looking they should probably get a baseline exam," she said.

The most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma, can be deadly if not caught and treated early.

The most common form is basal cell carcinoma, which grows more slowly, along with squamous cell carcinoma.

Prevention and early detection are the best weapons against skin cancer.

News Channel 7 and the American Cancer Society are committed to reducing the number of deaths in our area from the disease.