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From 2008 to 2012, age-adjusted incidence rates of skin cancer for New Mexican non-Hispanic white males and females were 37.11 and 21.72, respectively. 1 The same rates for New Mexican American Indian males and females were 2.51 and 3.04, respectively. Despite this stark difference in incidence, half of all American Indian and Alaskan Native persons with skin cancer will die from the disease compared with less than one-sixth for all races combined. 2 This study sought to determine what sun-protective behaviors were used among rural New Mexican American Indian individuals, a relatively understudied population, and non-Hispanic white individuals, a relatively well-studied population.

The epidemiology of melanoma is complex, and individual risk depends on sun exposure, host factors, and genetic factors, and in their interactions as well. Sun exposure can be classified as intermittent, chronic, or cumulative (overall) exposure, and each appears to have a different effect on type of melanoma. Other environmental factors, such as chemical exposures-either through occupation, atmosphere, or food-may increase risk for melanoma, and this area warrants further study. Host factors that are well known to be important are the numbers and types of nevi and the skin phenotype. Genetic factors are classified as

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