ABSTRACT
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) energy leads to two significant types of skin problems-
increased risk for the development of skin cancer and accelerated photoaging changes. At
current rates, one in five Americans will develop a skin cancer of some sort during their
lifetime, with over 1,000,000 new cases appearing this year alone in the U.S. The
incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing faster than any other cancer in the United
States. In 1935, the lifetime risk for an American developing invasive melanoma was one
in 1500. In 2005, this risk was one in 62 for invasive melanomas and one in 34 if in situ
melanomas are included. In addition, according to the World Health Organization,
melanoma is increasing faster than any other malignancy worldwide. The economic
magnitude of this public health problem is illustrated by the fact that costs associated with
the treatment of skin cancers are over 500 million dollars annually in the U.S. alone (1).
Therefore, the development and implementation of effective mechanisms that protect the
skin from cancer-causing UV rays is critical.
