Skin Cancer in the US Military

Abstract

There is an increased risk for melanomas and keratinocyte cancers in those who have served on active duty in the US Military. We believe that an increased exposure to UV radiation, minimal sun-protective strategies, and a paucity of education regarding the risks of UV exposure are primarily responsible for the increased prevalence of skin cancer in this population. Although mitigating these risks is important, it cannot come at the expense of combat effectiveness and military mission readiness. This review proposes education of individual military servicemembers regarding skin cancer prevention and identification, increasing the utilization of sun-protective clothing, and promoting the increased use of sunscreen as measures to decrease the overall risk of cutaneous malignancies in US Military servicemembers.