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Skin Cancer Prevention

Photo: A young Australian couple in swimwear applying sunblock

Sunbathers apply sunscreen on Scarborough Beach in western Australia in an attempt to thwart the cancerous effects of the sun's UV rays. Skin cancers are often detected earlier than other cancers since they can reveal themselves externally in the form of moles or enlarged birthmarks. The effectiveness of sunscreen is debatable, however; critics say it can prevent burns but does little to stop cancer, and sunscreen is often made with chemicals that could increase risk of other forms of cancer.

Photograph by Sarah Leen