Mapped: Melanoma cases in Virginia

Before you leave the house to enjoy Richmond's sunny forecasts this week, lather on some sunscreen.

Why it matters: Doctors are diagnosing more people with melanoma .

The big picture: Although melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers , it's responsible for the large majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

• And skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S.​
• ACS estimates that about 100,640 new cases of melanoma skin cancer will be diagnosed this year.

Zoom in: Virginia averaged 20.9 melanoma cases per 100,000 from 2016-2020, below the national average of 22.5, per the National Cancer Institute .

• That's an average annual count of 2,075 new cases in Virginia a year.

What they're saying: "People who get periodically sunburnt frequently tend to have a higher risk of developing melanoma," says Henry Lim, dermatologist at Henry Ford Health in Detroit and former president of American Academy of Dermatology.

• And sun exposure has a clear connection to basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.

Yes, but: "More sun exposure" isn't the only possible reason for the uptick in melanoma diagnoses.

• Other factors: more effective skin cancer detection and the fact that many Americans are living longer.

The bottom line: Using — and reapplying — sunscreen is helpful for preventing skin cancer, wrinkles and skin discoloration.

• Other ways to avoid sun damage include staying in the shade and wearing hats and other protective clothing while in the sun.

Go deeper: How to pick a "safe" sunscreen .