5 reasons you should read another piece about skin cancer: you think you've heard it all before, but this advice from real women will surprise you—and help you protect your skin

WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM KELLI'S STORY:

* Skin cancer rates are rising According to a 2005 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the incidence of basal cell carcinoma in women under 40 more than doubled between 1976 and 2003. This type of cancer forms in the basal cells, which are found in the deepest layer of the epidermis.

* Get a yearly skin check A doctor's eye is more apt to notice suspect spots, which can then be closely examined or removed and sent to a lab for analysis. If you discover you have a cancerous lesion, particularly on a sensitive area such as your face, neck, hands, or feet, make sure you seek out the right doctor: a dermatologist who is also a Mohs surgeon. "Since we take only tissue with cancer cells in it, we spare the healthy surrounding skin, which can reduce scarring in noticeable areas," says Anthony Wong, M.D., a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in Smithtown, New York.

"I thought my skin color gave me immunity"

DANA WHEELER, 33, ROSELLE, N.J.

"Until a few years ago, I never used sunscreen, believing that because I'm African-American, I didn't have to worry about skin cancer. But when I was 32, I developed a purplish spot on my nose that resembled a chicken pox scar. I thought it was a pimple and that it would disappear eventually. But after six months, it took on a life of its own: It got bigger, filled with fluid, and kept changing. When I finally saw the dermatologist a month later, I was shocked to find out it was basal cell carcinoma; I've never known an African-American who's had skin cancer. I've dramatically changed my habits as a result. Now I protect my skin even on the coldest, dreariest days. And there's been a ripple effect among my family and friends: Everyone has gone out and bought some sunscreen."

WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM DANA'S STORY:

* No one is immune While the incidence of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma is much lower among African-Americans than it is among Caucasians, it does happen. More alarming is the fact that although melanomas occur 10 times less frequently in this population than in Caucasians, the prognosis is often far worse. Why? The most common type of melanoma found in African-Americans, acral lentiginous melanoma, which originates in the melanocytes, is aggressive and typically goes undetected longer since it tends to manifest itself in little-examined places, like the palms, soles, mucous membranes, and underneath or near fingernails and toenails. It's important to check your entire body for spots.

* Always wear a hat Basal and squamous cell cancers--those that form in the thin, flat cells in the surface of your skin--present themselves most often on the face and on frequently overlooked areas like the ears and scalp. The best protection for these vulnerable spots is a hat with a 3- to 4-inch brim. Check out styles by Wallaroo (wallaroohats.com), which feature wide brims and are made of fabrics with an ultraviolet protection factor of 50-plus.