Did you know?
• Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. One million new cases are diagnosed every year. Of those diagnosed, 10,710 will die.
• Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer.
• One person dies from skin cancer every 67 minutes.
• The two most common types of skin cancer—Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas—are highly curable.
• Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous and more likely to be fatal, especially among young people.
• Individuals with dark skin pigmentation do not contract melanoma as easily as those with fair skin, but once contracted, dark skinned people have a lower long-term survival rate.
• Approximately, 90% of melanomas are caused by over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or sunlight, other from the sun or tanning beds.
• The total direct cost of skin cancer exceeds $290 million each year.
• When diagnosed early, skin cancer has a 96% cure rate.


Risk Factors
People with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. Risk factors vary for different types of skin cancer, but some general risk factors include:

• Lighter natural skin color.
• Family history of skin cancer.
• Personal history of skin cancer.
• Exposure to the sun through work and play.
• A history of sunburns early in life.
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
• Blue or green eyes.
• Blond or red hair.
• Certain types and a large number of moles.


Risk Reduction
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun. When used consistently, sun-protective practices can reduce a person's risk of developing skin cancer. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends five easy options for sun protection:

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), when UV rays are stronger and do the most damage.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Get a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Grab shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection. (Consult your dermatologist regarding the ingredients of your sunscreen. All sunscreens are not created equal. The ingredients are more protective than an increased SPF product.)


Health Statistics -- Comparative Incidence Rates (per year) of Skin Cancer:
Skin Cancer Diagnoses: 1,059,941
Breast Cancer Diagnoses: 180,510
Prostrate Cancer Diagnoses: 218,890
Lung Cancer Diagnoses: 213,380
AIDS Diagnoses: 44,198