Here are some facts from The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Skin Cancer Facts

GENERAL

More than 1.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed yearly in the United States.

One in 5 Americans and one in 3 Caucasians will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
Nationally, there are more new cases of skin cancer each year than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, and colon.

More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure, yet fewer than 33 percent of adults, adolescents, and children routinely use sun protection.

MELANOMA

The incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is rising faster than that of any other cancer. There are now nearly 8,000 melanoma deaths every year.

One person dies every hour from skin cancer, primarily melanoma.

By 2010, melanoma is projected to rise to one in 50 Americans.

While melanoma is uncommon in African-Americans, Latinos, and Asians, it is most deadly for these populations.

MEN/WOMEN

The majority of people diagnosed with melanoma are white men over age 50.

Skin cancer is the #1 cancer in men over age 50, ahead of prostate, lung and colon cancer.
Middle-aged and older men have the poorest track record for performing monthly skin self exams or regularly visiting a dermatologist.

They are the least likely individuals to detect melanoma in its early stages.

Men over age 40 spend the most time outdoors and have the highest annual exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

In the past thirty years, skin cancer has tripled in women under age 40.

Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women aged 20-29.

TEENS/CHILDREN

One blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.

Regular sun protection throughout childhood can reduce the risk of skin cancer by 80%.

It is estimated that 2.3 million teens visit a tanning salon at least once a year.

In the past 20 years there has been more than a 100% increase in the cases of pediatric melanoma.

Less than half of all teenagers use sunscreen.
The effects of photoaging (skin aging caused by the sun or tanning machines) can be seen as early as in one’s 20’s.