Sun is a higher risk for men 50 and older
Men 50 and older: Having fun in the sun can lead to serious problems.
The American Academy of Dermatology says that after a man hits 50, he is at a higher risk for developing melanoma than the rest of the population. The academy notes that before the age of 40, women have the highest rates of melanoma. But for people older than 50, the rate is almost twice as high in men. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, but if it is caught early, the cure rate is higher than 90 percent.
Despite their increasing risk, men are not as savvy about skin cancer as women. A survey sponsored by the academy found that 59 percent of women said they knew how to spot signs of skin cancer, compared with 46 percent of men.
For more information, go to spotskincancer.org. You also can call the academy at 888-462-3376.