In a survey of more than 1,500 US millennials, 7 in 10 say skin damage is a significant concern for them. Yet when it comes to skin care and sun precautions, their everyday practices suggest a different attitude.
Sunscreen use:
- Only 14% of surveyed millennials use sunscreen every day.
- Of those who use sunscreen sometimes, 40% apply sunscreen only when they expect to be spending time in the sun.
Family history:
- While 25% of millennials surveyed acknowledged a family history of skin cancer, of this group, 43% have never seen a dermatologist for a routine checkup.
Freckles and Moles:
- Of the millennials surveyed, 45% noted that they are prone to develop freckles and moles from sun exposure. This is a risk factor for skin cancer, and yet nearly 20% of these respondents said they do not know what an abnormal freckle or mole looks like.
How Health Care Professionals Can Help
Dermatologists are seeing a concerning rise in skin cancer among young people and continued lack of precaution. Health care professionals at every level can help educate millennial patients on the importance of sun protection and skin checks to prevent and identify potential skin cancer.
- Melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer, and risk is highest with intense sun exposure and sunburns.
- Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and is also associated with sun exposure.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is another common type of skin cancer that often develops on sun-exposed areas.
Sunscreen education:
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher should be used every day on skin not covered by clothing, even if it is cold or cloudy.
Self-care and examination:
- Patients should ask family members if they have ever been diagnosed with skin cancer and share that information with their health care provider.
- Instruct patients on skin self-exams to detect new freckles or moles or changes in existing lesions. Concerning changes include shape, size, color, bleeding, or itching.
- All skin surfaces should be examined, including the scalp, bottoms of feet, between toes and fingers, and under and around the nails.
Medical care:
- Every patient encounter provides an opportunity to observe skin surfaces and discuss skin health. Ask your patient if they have noticed anything new or different on their skin.
- Individuals with a family history of skin cancer, regardless of age, should be evaluated by a dermatologist, and those determined to have high risk profiles should see a dermatologist yearly for a full body scan.
Resources
Sunscreen FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Updated February 11, 2025. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen
Survey Methodology
The findings are based on a Pollfish survey of more than 1500 millennials in the United States.
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