Although skin cancer is much less common in African Americans than in whites, when it does occur in women of color, it's particularly deadly. "Women of color are at a higher risk of dying from skin cancer because they are usually misdiagnosed and the cancer is caught too late and it begins to spread," says New York City dermatologist Michael Shapiro, M.D. Numerous studies show that women with darker skin tones have the highest death rate of individuals diagnosed with melanoma. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 52 percent of black patients and 26 of Hispanic patients receive initial diagnoses of advanced stage melanoma versus only 16 percent of white patients.

The Solution: Know your bod

Just because you can't see it with a quick glance in the mirror doesn't mean it's not there. Vow to thoroughly examine your skin head-to-toe every month. Knowing your body will help you spot new moles or other abnormalities (most people stop getting new ones after 25). In addition to your monthly self-exam, get a professional skin exam every year. Find a free skin cancer screening or visit your physician, who can help you with the ABCDE's (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution) of any skin spots you find.

Unless you live under a rock or boarded up in your house, every minute out in the sun adds up. "The number of blistering sunburns you had as an adolescent still count -- they will increase your chance of skin cancer later in life," says Reintgen. The same goes for your current routine. Outdoor activities like jogging and playing golf may be great for your ticker, but they could be hurting your health in less obvious ways.

The Solution: Go under cover

There's no need to become a shut-in. Make like a celebrity and step out in UV-blocking sunglasses, broad-brimmed hats and clothing with UV protection. Shapiro also recommends seeking the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., aka peak sunlight hours. The earlier you can schedule your tee time or lace up your running shoes, the better.

Darker skin tones have some built-in sun protection. The melanin in darker skinned Hispanic and black women creates SPF of about 13.4 (compared to 3.4 in white skin), but that doesn't mean you should skip sunscreen. Black and Hispanic women show the effects of photoaging about 15-20 years later than Caucasian women. Fine lines and wrinkles tend to be less prominent in dark skin than in white or lighter Hispanic skin, but in your 50s and 60s, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone take center stage, making other effects, like sagging skin, more noticeable. If you want to lower your risk of skin cancer and look good while doing it, it's time to incorporate SPF into your everyday routine.

The Solution: Slather it on

Reintgen and Shapiro advise using a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater every day. Apply sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside for chemical sunscreens and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. For immediate protection, try a physical sunscreen that blocks the sun (instead of absorbing and reflecting) that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Limiting sun exposure, following a strict SPF guide and checking for suspicious signs will help lower your risk for skin cancer, but it's also important to take your overall health into consideration. "Individuals with lupus and weak immune systems and those on Prednisone for asthma are more likely to develop skin cancer," says Shapiro. Many medications prescribed to treat diabetes and hypertension, two health issues that predominantly affect Hispanics and blacks, can also make skin more sensitive to the sun.

The Solution: Bring it up

Talk to your doctor about any and all medications you take to see if they increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. If you're experiencing sun sensitivity (or photosensitivity in doctor speak), he or she will be able to make a diagnosis and adjust your medication or recommend treatment accordingly.