Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home
Photograph of woman wearing hat and sunglasses

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. In 2005,* 53,792 people were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin, and 8,345 people died from it.† CDC leads national efforts to reduce skin cancer through education. When in the sun, seek shade, cover up, get a hat, wear sunglasses, and use sunscreen.

*Latest year for which statistics are available. †Source: USCS.

Features

Protect Yourself from the SunProtect Yourself from the Sun
Summer is a great time to have fun outdoors. Protect yourself from the sun to prevent skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States.

Shade Planning for America's SchoolsShade Planning for Schools (PDF-1.2MB)
This manual helps schools maintain a physical environment that supports sun safety by ensuring that school grounds have adequate shade.

Sun Safety at Schools: What You Can DoSun Safety at Schools (PDF-179KB)
This brochure explains how school administrators and staff, parents, and community health care service providers can promote sun safety.

Photo of sunscreenCDC's Skin Cancer Feature
Anyone can get skin cancer, but some things put you at higher risk. Protect yourself and your family from skin cancer while enjoying the outdoors this summer.

Soak Up the Sun Podcast

Ask CDC logo

Learn about skin cancer types and risk factors, and ways to protect yourself and your family.
Listen to this podcastListen to this podcast (4:22)
More Podcasts

Send a Health-e-Card!

Prevent Skin Cancer Health-e-Card

Tell someone how to protect their skin from the sun with CDC's Skin Cancer electronic greeting card.

More Health-e-Cards

 
Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
    4770 Buford Hwy NE
    MS K-64
    Atlanta, GA 30341
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
    24 Hours/Every Day
  • cdcinfo@cdc.gov
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov

A-Z Index

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #