The season for pool parties and barbeques may be ending, but don't put the sunscreen away just yet. It's important to keep skin cancer prevention in mind year-round.

A Univera Healthcare analysis of claims data revealed that the number of its members diagnosed with skin cancer increased by 7 percent from 2002 to 2007.

In 2007, 16 of every 1,000 members - about 27,000 people - were treated for skin cancer. The health plan insures nearly 2 million people across the 39 counties of upstate New York.

Dr. Brett Shulman, a board-certified dermatologist with Lifetime Health Medical Group, attributes the increase in skin cancer rates to people having more leisure time, taking more vacations and frequenting tanning booths.

Said Shulman, "Preventing sun damage today will help avoid health problems in the future."

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime; one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Of those Univera Healthcare members diagnosed with skin cancer in 2007, about 13 percent were diagnosed with melanoma. The rest were diagnosed with the less serious basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Here are prevention tips to keep in mind year-round:

· Limit the time you spend in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when ultraviolet (UV) rays are the strongest. UV rays are still absorbed by your skin in the winter and when it's cloudy.

· Block the sun by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Reapply every two hours and don't forget commonly missed spots such as the ears and neck.

· Cover up skin and face with a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses and dark, tightly woven clothing. Clothing that contains SPF in the fabric offers the best protection for outdoor fall activities such as hiking or fishing. A specific brand can be recommended by your dermatologist.

· Check your skin regularly for new skin growths or changes to moles, freckles or birthmarks. Report any changes to your doctor.

· Avoid tanning booths and tan-accelerating agents. Tanning beds emit UV rays that penetrate deep into the skin and can cause precancerous skin lesions.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.

More information on skin cancer is available at the following Web sites:

Skin Cancer Foundation - http://www.skincancer.org,

American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org,

Lifetime Health Medical Group - http://www.lifetimehealth.org (click on "Center for Dermatology."