According to the American Cancer Society skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. More than 1 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are found in this country each year. They estimate that about 62,190 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States during 2006. Most of the more than 1 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer diagnosed yearly in the United States are considered to be sun-related. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for about 62,190 cases of skin cancer in 2006 and most (about 7,910) of the 10,710 deaths due to skin cancer each year.

Skin Cancer Facts

What You Should Know About Skin Cancer

More than a million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year.

One in five Americans will get skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.

More than half of all new cancers are skin cancer.

One in four persons who develop skin cancer is under the age of 40.

One person dies every hour from melanoma.

What You Can Do

Protect Your Skin

Don’t sunbathe.

Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the peak hours of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Use SPF 15 or higher sunscreens everyday.

Wear protective clothing, long sleeved shirts, long pants, brimmed hats, and sunglasses when outside.

Avoid tanning booths.

Examine your skin every three months.

Learn the changes in a mole or skin growths that are warning signs of melanoma.

Talk to Your Primary Care Health Provider

Talk to your doctor about any suspicious moles or skin growths. If you need assistance finding a health care provider, call our physician referral line at 1-888-637-2762.

*Information obtained from The Skin Caner Foundation website www.skincancer.org.

Read the December 2005 article on treating melanoma.