Melanoma and Skin Cancer

• More than 2 million nonmelanoma skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
• Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common forms of skin cancer, but both are easily treated if detected early.
• Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer.
• Melanoma incidence rates have been increasing for at least 30 years.
• Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.
• Melanoma is increasing faster in females 15-29 years old than males in the same age group. In females 15-29 years old, the torso is the most common location for developing melanoma, which may be the result of high-risk tanning behaviors.
• Melanoma in individuals 10-39 years old is highly curable, with five-year survival rates exceeding 90 percent.
• One in 58 men and women will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime. Caucasians and men older than 50 are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than the general population.
• It was estimated that there will be about 114,900 new cases of melanoma in 2010 — 46,770 noninvasive (in situ) and 68,130 invasive.
• One American dies of melanoma almost every hour. In 2010, it is estimated that 8,700 deaths will be attributed to melanoma — 5,670 men and 3,030 women.
• The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 65,161 people a year worldwide die from too much sun, mostly from malignant skin cancer.
• People who have more than 50 moles, atypical moles, or a family history of melanoma are at an increased risk of developing melanoma.
• Approximately 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.
• The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98 percent.
• In 2004, the total direct cost associated with the treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer was $1.5 billion.
• The American Cancer Society recommends a skin cancer-related checkup and counseling about sun exposure as part of any periodic health examination for men and women beginning at age 20.
• Individuals who have a history of melanoma should have a full-body exam at least annually and perform regular self-exams for new and changing moles.