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Protecting Your Body After Skin Cancer

By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new study shows that patients with skin cancer need to be smarter in the sun.

Patients with skin cancer are constantly reminded to be cautious in the sun, to wear sunscreen, avoid burning and tanning beds.

A new study shows that's not the case.

Dr. Jeffrey Farma, a surgical oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center says the research shows that most patients avoid the sun the first year after diagnosis but after that, sun exposure increases year after year.

"We can provide advice and you hope the patient will follow it but this was a study trying to look and see if the they actually follow this and the answer is no," Dr. Farma said.

He says this proves doctors need to tell patients over and over again about the dangers of sun tans, burns and exposure.

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