Overview

• Five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 increase melanoma risk by 80%, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
• Nearly 90% of melanomas are preventable with basic sun protection measures, yet public adherence remains alarmingly low.
• Italy has seen melanoma cases rise from 6,000 in 2004 to over 17,000 in 2024, making it the third most common cancer under age 50.
• UV exposure in childhood and adolescence causes DNA damage in skin cells, which can develop into melanoma over time if unrepaired.
• Experts highlight seven common prevention errors, including reliance on old sunscreen, neglecting protection on cloudy days, and assuming darker skin is immune to UV damage.