Gardeners are among those most at risk for developing skin cancer.

All that weeding and watering, mowing and mulching was once considered a happy way to build a tan. But years of sun exposure can have a terminally dark side.

More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, with one in five Americans developing the potentially fatal disorder. An estimated 4,600 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in Canada this year, according to Canadian Cancer Statistics. And the more time spent in the sun, the greater the risk, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The average gardener spends 2.8 hours a week on the hobby, according to the National Gardening Association.

Here are some practical sun safety suggestions:

* Work in the cool of the day or before 10 a.m and after 4 p.m. Do not discount the solar radiation danger from an obscured sky.

* Inspect your skin head-to-toe at least once a month. Remember the shape of mole and freckle patterns and then note any changes.

* Make a yearly appointment with a dermatologist. Early detection is key, particularly for melanoma, which has a tendency to invade other parts of the body.

* Use a product with SPF 15 or higher. Apply it at least 15 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every two hours.

* Wear sun-protective clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat, loose-fitting smock, trousers, gloves and UV-blocking sunglasses.

More than a million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States... an estimated 4,600 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in Canada this year... the more time spent in the sun, the greater the risk.