<p>Each adhesive dot on former Banbury, Australia, lifeguard Don Bennewith represents a removed melanoma. Melanomas are malignant tumors that begin as pigmented moles and are caused by excessive sun exposure. Due to their generally fair skin and Australia's high levels of UV radiation, Aussies have some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.</p>

Melanomas

Each adhesive dot on former Banbury, Australia, lifeguard Don Bennewith represents a removed melanoma. Melanomas are malignant tumors that begin as pigmented moles and are caused by excessive sun exposure. Due to their generally fair skin and Australia's high levels of UV radiation, Aussies have some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

Photograph by Sarah Leen

Skin

Skin is the human body's largest organ.

Body organs aren't all internal like the brain or the heart. There's one we wear on the outside. Skin is our largest organ—adults carry some 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) and 22 square feet (2 square meters) of it. This fleshy covering does a lot more than make us look presentable. In fact, without it, we'd literally evaporate.

Skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding the body against extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals. It also exudes antibacterial substances that prevent infection and manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium into healthy bones. Skin additionally is a huge sensor packed with nerves for keeping the brain in touch with the outside world. At the

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