Basic Information

Download the 2006/2007 Skin Cancer Prevention and Education Initiative Fact Sheet (PDF-207KB).

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.

The following statistics refer to new cases of—and deaths from—melanomas of the skin and other non-epithelial skin cancers. These statistics do not include data for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are not tracked by the United States Cancer Statistics registries.

In 2004,*

• 50,039 people in the United States were diagnosed with skin cancer.
• 7,952 people in the United States died of skin cancer.

*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 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 for a person to prevent skin cancer is to protect him or herself from the sun.^{2 4} When used consistently, sun-protective practices can reduce a person's risk of developing skin cancer.

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 strongest 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.

For more information on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from skin cancer, please visit Protect Yourself from the Sun.

Early Detection

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded that there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against routine screening (total-body examination by a clinician) to detect skin cancers early. However, USPSTF does recommend 1) that clinicians 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) that clinicians remain alert for skin abnormalities when conducting physical examinations for other purposes.

Epidemiologic data suggest that skin cancers can be prevented if children, adolescents, and adults are protected from UV radiation.                         

For more information on UV Safety and Skin Cancer go to: www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/