By Erin Wein
Round Table reporter

As the temperature rises, students from Middletown High School are beginning to be outside more, exposing themselves to the sun. What they’re not aware of is the dangers that excess sun can bring to their skin.

Although its fun to tan, swim and be out in the sun once the weather gets warm, doctors are trying to teach young adults about the hazards of the sun.

According to the National Cancer Institute, skin cancer is a lifetime risk. One in 52 men and women are diagnosed with the disease, all caused from the sun.

With the sun comes many dangers, such as the escalating risk of getting skin cancer. More people around the world are getting this deadly disease because they are not using the protection they need.

MHS senior Christine Evans, has been a victim of the brutal sun. She received second-degree burn on her face from being out in the sun. Now that she has experienced firsthand the harming effects the sun can have on her body, Evans is sure to put on sunscreen before she even leaves her house on a warm summer day.

In today’s teenage culture, being tan is in. It has become an addiction for teen’s – and even adults – to lay out and tan for hours with little or no protection at all. Those who do use protection and have fair skin are viewing themselves as outcasts. Seeing the bronze skin of peers and celebrities creates pressures on others to tan while overlooking the consequences.

Faith Robertson, a sophomore at MHS, admits that she doesn’t use sunscreen or any protection on a daily basis.

“I don’t think to put on sunscreen when I go out; if I get burned I will apply some, but that’s about it,” says Robertson.

According to mnpoisin.org, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In 2009 there were more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer and 65 to 90 percent of them were diagnosed with melanoma – a skin cancer caused by excessive exposure to UV rays.