According to the National Cancer Institute, a division of the United States National Institution of Health, non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common from of cancer in the United States. More than one million cases are expected in 2007. Non-melanoma skin cancers represent half of the cancer cases in America.

The cause, Ultraviolet light, is the most common known factor that predisposes to non-melanoma skin cancer. Retrospective studies (Hatch and Osterwalder Company) have reported an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (fifty percent of tested lab rats) when clothing was not present.

Our experiment posed the question, “What type of fabric will offer the best protection against the harmful effects of Ultraviolet radiation?” This study was developed to compare which fabrics provide the best sun protection (lowest transmission of Ultraviolet light). Although we’ve hypothesized white wool, many investigators (American Cancer Society and Suncare Research Laboratories) have found wool, cotton, and silk to be good sun protectors.