May marks the start of Skin Cancer Awareness month. As the temperatures start to rise and spring prepares to give way to summer, it’s an appropriate time to remind Americans across the country to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Doctors recommend people check for suspicious moles, wear sun screen and avoid excess time outside.
Advanced Dermatology analyzed each of the 50 states to determine where Americans are most concerned about skin cancer based on their rate of melanoma cases and Google Trends data on their interest in preventative measures. According to the study, one in five states are “dangerously unconcerned” about skin cancer based on their risk. Beyond that, more than half of states are considered “unconcerned.” Only 20-percent of states are “extremely concerned,” meaning they have a high level of interest in preventing skin cancer relative to their population’s risk of developing the disease.