The American Academy of Dermatology warns that there is an unrecognized epidemic of skin cancer underway in the United States.

According to a report in the April issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer, and a person's risk of the disease doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns, says Reuters

According to health experts, four minutes outside in the sun is plenty, especially for fair-skin people, in order to produce enough vitamin D to keep bones healthy.

The study, conducted by the experts at the Australian National University, provides guidance on acceptable levels of sun exposure in the face of mixed messages about the affect of the sun's rays

The aging worldwide population combined with rapidly revolutionary lifestyle treatments that revitalize youthfulness and stave off skin damage are the driving forces behind a healthy prescription dermatological drug market, which will see sales of $11.1 billion by 2010.

The data comes courtesy of a new study from market research firm Kalorama Information

Researchers are urging pediatricians to educate children and their families about skin cancer since individuals receive 50% of their total lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18.

According to a review article published in Pediatric Dermatology, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers are a rising health concern and the most rapidly growing cause of cancer deaths in the United States where tanning, indoor and outdoor, has become more and more popular

A new study finds that melanoma is increasing among Hispanics who live in California. Men are especially prone to the deadly skin cancer.

The tumors are generally thicker than those found on non-Hispanics, which is indicative of a higher risk, says Myles G. Cockburn, lead author of the study