“Reminder to stay up to date on your dermatology checks… especially if you're fair like me,” Ferguson wrote in his caption. “I always wind up getting something taken from me, every time I go. 😩 Today, they took a bit of skin cancer that they found. Don't worry, I got it early and I'm gonna be just fine. 🔪 (and, wear sunscreen! SPF 1000 for me!)”

And in honor of May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to share Ferguson’s all-too-important message as a reminder to everyone, fair-skinned or otherwise, to prioritize skin protection and skin cancer prevention methods.

Thankfully, Ferguson’s cancer was caught at an early stage, but it’s important to note that that might just be because he stays up to date with his skin checks. And he’s correct, too, that fair skinned people are at an increased risk of skin cancer.

Dr. Sumaira Aasi, a professor of dermatology and Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at Stanford, previously spoke with SurvivorNet about the risk factors for skin cancer.

“We know there are certain extrinsic factors, sort of the sun exposure, maybe occupational exposure, being working outdoors, etc.,” she explained. “There’s also intrinsic factors. That’s about the patient themselves. So, if you are a fair-skinned individual and you have the propensity to burn, if you have fair eye color, you are definitely much more at risk for developing skin cancer.”

The CDC says all people are at risk for skin cancer put people with the following characteristics have a greater risk:

• A lighter natural skin color.
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
• Blue or green eyes.
• Blond or red hair.
• Certain types and a large number of moles.
• A family history of skin cancer.
• A personal history of skin cancer.
• Older age.

Dr. Aasi went on to explain that people with fair skin and fair eye color are at a higher risk because their skin “does not have the pigment or melanin that can absorb and prevent the ultraviolet radiation from injuring the other cells in the skin.”

“If you have been exposed to the sun, if you are fair skinned, and that’s a great number of people in the world, then it is important to get a full skin examination check,” she said. “I think it’s important to be vigilant yourself, that if you notice a lesion or something that’s changing or something that’s bleeding, to get that checked out.”

Looking at redheads even more specifically, some researchers point to genetics to illustrate why they’re at a higher risk for the most deadly form of skin cancer melanoma. According to researchers from Harvard Medical School, the mutation in the melanocortin-1 (MC1R) gene that accounts for a redhead’s hair color and typical light skin is a contributing factor. The 2013 study suggests that people carrying MC1R variants, especially those associated with red hair color, fair skin and poor tanning ability, are more prone to melanoma.

"Together, our findings provide a possible molecular mechanism as to why red-haired individuals harboring MC1R mutations are much more susceptible to UV-induced skin damage than individuals with darker skin, resulting in a 10- to 100-fold higher frequency of melanoma," Harvard Medical School pathology professor Wenyi Wei previously explained in a press release.

Understanding Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Disease: Skin Cancer

The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that over 5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year, making it the most common cancer in the United States. And even though people tend to focus on skin protection during the warm summer months, it's important to remember that the risk of developing skin cancer is very much still there all year long.

RELATED: Can I Get Skin Cancer On My Genitals Even Though They've NEVER Seen The Sun?

"My patients ask me all the time, 'Do I really need sunscreen every day, all year round?' The answer is yes," Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, previously told SurvivorNet. "People think they only need sun protection when they're in the bright, warm sunshine. But the reality is, we can get sun damage at any time throughout the year, even in the cold, wintry months. Think about when you go skiing. That's a very high risk. Even though it's cold, our skin should be protected."

Additionally, it’s important to remember that skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body. It is more common for many skin cancers to occur on places that get more sun like the face, head, neck and arms, but skin cancers can even occur on places like on the bottoms of your feet, on your genitals and inside your mouth.

In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dermatologist Dr. Snehal Amin, the co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, says skin cancer doesn't require sun exposure.

"A lot of skin cancers occur in places that are not sun exposed," Dr. Amin said. "A lot of skin cancers are actually genetically triggered. About a third of skin cancers occur in non-sun-exposed areas."

He also says it's important to consider the body in its entirety when looking for signs of skin cancer.

"It's important to check the whole body, scalp, torso, legs, underwear area, everywhere," he said. "It's important to stand in front of a mirror, and hold a hand-held mirror, so you can check all the different parts of your body."

Dr. Engelman previously spoke with SurvivorNet about how to best reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Here are her top five ways to try to avoid the disease:

• Avoid sun during peak hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the tops of our heads, the tops of our ears and the delicate area around the eye.
• Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen and make sure to reapply every two hours or after excessive sweating or swimming.
• Have yearly skin checks (with a professional) because it's difficult to evaluate areas all over the body.
• Avoid tanning beds. There are no "good" tanning beds, and they can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer.

Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer

No matter how vigilant you are about decreasing your risk for skin cancer, its important to still prioritize routine checkups with your dermatologist and always be on the lookout for any skin changes in between visits.

The Importance of Sunscreen

Many people commit to using sunscreen every day, but it's important to note that choosing the right product can be just as important as consistency.

Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends you use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply it every two hours. Your sunscreen should also be broad spectrum, says Dr. Larocca, meaning it covers both UVB and UVA rays.

Choose the Right Sunscreen and Use it Often

Dermatologist Dr. Snehal Amin, the co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, says that while brand name is not very important,  paying attention to the ingredients and feel of the sunscreen can make a difference.

"My recommendation is really focus on the ingredients rather than the brands," Dr. Amin says. "If you like the way the brand feels on your skin, if you like the purpose of the brand for instance, sport versus daily use or daytime use versus a short burst of activity use I think those are more important factors than actual brands."

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