Skin Cancer Risk Factor Quiz

Exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important factor in determining a person's risk of skin cancer. Past sunburns, sun exposure at young ages, genetics and immune system deficiencies may also play a part. The following quiz can help determine your risk for developing skin cancer. After you add up the total points, match your score with those noted below to find your risk level.

Please choose the most appropriate answer for each question and then calculate your total points:

What is your hair color?
What color are your eyes?
When exposed to one hour of summer sun, you...
Where is your job?
Do you have freckles?
Has anyone in your family had skin cancer?
Where in the U.S. did you live most before the age of 18?

TOTAL POINTS

Level of Risk for Skin Cancer

10-15      Below average risk
16-22      Average risk
23-25      High risk
26-30      Very high risk

People with the following characteristics have the highest risk for melanoma:

Fair complexions that burn or blister easily
Blonde or red hair
Blue, green or gray eyes
Excessive sun exposure during childhood and teen years, blistering and sunburns before age 20
Family history of melanoma
More than 100 moles; 50 if you are under age 20

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Health Tip:

What a Difference
60 Minutes Can Make

It’s just an hour. At 2 a.m. on March 14, time changes as we “spring forward” one hour overnight. It wouldn’t seem to be that big of a deal, but it is according to researchers at the University of Michigan’s Center for Sleep Science. They have found that in the days immediately following the spring time change each year more people have serious car accidents, most likely due to the sleep loss and adjustments that our biological clocks must make to the new schedule.

To prepare for the time change, start going to bed and waking up 15 minutes earlier each day between now and the start of Daylight Savings Time. This helps reset your biological clock.

The spring time change isn’t the only time we should be concerned about our levels of sleep. According to the sleep researchers, adults ought to get 8 to 8.5 hours of sleep every night, but few of us do. This does more than leave us groggy in the mornings. Findings have shown that a lack of sleep may increase risks of obesity, diabetes, stroke and heart attacks.

The National Sleep Foundation offers this advice for healthy sleep:

Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, and avoid spending more time in bed than needed.
Use your bedroom only for sleep to strengthen the association between your bed and sleep.
Create an environment conducive to sleep that is quiet, dark and cool.
Reduce or eliminate your intake of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.