Spring break is over, and the sun will be shining down on State College soon enough. But overexposure to the sun can cause severe harm to skin cells, which could lead to skin cancer in later years, doctors say.

"No matter what your age, you have to protect your skin," Evan Pattishall, clinical director at University Health Services, said.

Students should be concerned about the risks of skin cancer, even though they are young, because skin damage in the first 18 to 20 years of life can lead to higher risks of cancer later in life, said John Messmer, associate professor of family and communication medicine and the Hershey Medical Center.

"Your parents tried to protect you before college, and now it's your turn, so the 18- to 20-year investment pays off," he said.

There are more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer reported every year, according to the American Cancer Society Web site, www.cancer.org. This year in Pennsylvania, there will be an estimated 68,780 new cases of skin cancer.

The most common and least dangerous types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, Pattishall said.

"[Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma] are the red, rough areas on foreheads, noses and cheeks from sun damage from teen years that come out later in life," Messmer said. "They are pre-cancerous and some are preventable by doctors."

According to research professor Edward De Fabo's paper "Ultraviolet B but not Ultraviolet A Radiation initiates melanoma," melanoma is one of the fastest increasing cancers and has more than doubled in the past 25 years.

Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer, Messmer said.

"It arrives as a brand new cancer, usually sun related," he said. "The sun reduces the skin's ability and the immune system's ability to fight off cancer."

In 2002, more than 44,000 people were diagnosed with melanoma, and 7,000 people died from this type of cancer, Pattishall said.

"Melanoma is the most common cancer among people ages 25 to 29 years old," he added.

Skin damage is caused by the Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays because they are not blocked by the atmosphere, Messmer said.

"UVA rays can cause far worse damage to your skin because they are longer and can penetrate deeper into the dermis," Pattishall said. "They can actually cause cellular DNA damage, and tanning beds use UVA bulbs."

UVB rays cause suntans and sunburns by penetrating the skin with excessive sun exposure.

Ellen Fryer, manager of Hollywood Tans, 111 W. Beaver Ave., said all UV rays are harmful, but UVB rays need to be monitored in tanning booths.

"UVA rays cause fine lines and wrinkles, but it's the UVB rays that cause you to burn," Fryer said. "We need to pay attention to the percentage of UVB rays in the [tanning] booths."

Most skin cancer can be prevented, Pattishall said.

"What makes it so ironic most skin cancer can be prevented, but it seems like more and more people are deliberately exposing themselves to the sun's ultraviolet radiation," he said.

The most important way to protect your skin is to use sunscreen with a high skin protection factor (SPF), Pattishall said.

"Apply SPF 40 or 45 before you go out into the sun," Messmer said. "Replace it if the skin gets wet or sweaty because 'waterproof' means nothing."

Messmer also said to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest, and stay in the shade as much as possible.

Pattishall suggests wearing a wide brim hat and sunglasses while in the sun.

Both doctors warn to stay away from tanning booths.

"Base tans protect you from sunburn, but not sun damage," Messmer said. "Tanning booths cause a false sense of security."