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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Cancer Prevention and Control 4770 Buford Hwy, NE MS K-64 Atlanta, GA 30341-3717 Call: 1 (800) CDC-INFO TTY: 1 (888) 232-6348 FAX: (770) 488-4760 E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov Submit a Question Online |
Basic InformationDownload the 2008/2009 Skin Cancer Prevention and Education Initiative Fact Sheet (PDF-1.4MB). Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable. However, melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous, especially among young people. Approximately 65%–90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or sunlight.1 The following statistics refer to new cases of, and deaths from, melanomas of the skin. Non-epithelial skin cancers, which are not reflected below, represent 8% of skin cancers that are tracked by central cancer registries. These statistics also do not include data for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are not tracked by central cancer registries. In 2004,*2
That same year,2
Epidemiologic data suggest that most skin cancers can be prevented if children, adolescents, and adults are protected from UV radiation.1 *The most recent year for which statistics are currently available. Incidence counts cover approximately 98% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts. Risk FactorsPeople 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 are having:1 3 4
Risk ReductionThe best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect oneself from the sun.1 4 When used consistently, sun-protective practices can reduce a person's risk of developing skin cancer. CDC recommends easy options for sun protection:1
Tanning beds and sunlamps emit ultraviolet rays that are as dangerous as those from the sun and, therefore, should be avoided. As of April 2008, at least 28 states had passed legislation governing the use of tanning facilities by minors.5 National surveys supported by CDC indicate that U.S. youth and adults are being exposed to ultraviolet radiation and can do more to protect themselves.
Early DetectionThe U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against routine screening (total body examination by a clinician) to detect skin cancers early. However, the USPSTF recommends that clinicians 1) be aware that fair-skinned men and women aged 65 and older, and people with atypical moles or more than 50 moles, are at greater risk for developing melanoma; and 2) remain alert for skin abnormalities when conducting physical examinations for other purposes.10 References1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for school programs to prevent skin cancer. MMWR 2002;51(No. RR-4):1–16. 2U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2004 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Washington, D.C.: National Cancer Institute; 2007. 3National Cancer Institute. What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 4National Cancer Institute. Skin Cancer Prevention (PDQ®). Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 5The Charlie Guild Melanoma Foundation, StateNet, and NCSL, 2006–2008. 6Saraiya M, Balluz L, Wen XJ, Joseph DA. Sunburn prevalence among adults—United States, 1999, 2003, and 2004. MMWR 2007;6(21):524–528. 7National Cancer Institute. Cancer Trends Progress Report—2007 Update. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 8Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S, Ross J, Hawkins J, Harris WA, Lowry R, McManus T, Chyen D, Shanklin S, Lim C, Grunbaum JA, Wechsler H. Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2005. MMWR Surveillance Summaries 2006;55(5):1–108. 9QuickStats: Percentage of teens aged 14–17 years who used indoor tanning devices during the preceding 12 months, by sex and age—United States, 2005. MMWR 2006;55(40):1101. 10United States Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Skin Cancer. Recommendations and Rationale. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
Page last reviewed: November 24, 2008
Page last updated: November 24, 2008 Content source: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
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