Skin Cancer Awareness Month is recognized annually in May to highlight disease risk factors and prevention strategies.
1 in 5
The incidence of skin cancer is increasing, with 1 in 5 Americans developing skin cancer by the age of 70, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer is a disease associated with the abnormal growth of skin cells, noted the Mayo Clinic, and it develops most often when skin is exposed to the sun. Some patients also develop skin cancer in areas of the skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
9,500 people
The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that approximately 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. An individual can reduce their risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Frequently checking skin for new marks or changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stages.
$8.1 billion
About 4.9 million U.S. adults were treated for skin cancer each year from 2007 to 2011, for an average annual treatment cost of $8.1 billion, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Half of melanomas are self-detected, but a dermatologist can make individual recommendations as to how often
a person needs skin exams based on their personal risk factors.
30
The American Cancer Society recommends seeking shade and avoiding sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the day, covering the head, neck, and shoulders, and using Broad Spectrum Sunscreen of at least 30 to protect from exposure to UV Rays, a leading cause of skin cancer.
5 or more
If an individual has five or more sunburns in their lifetime, the risk for developing melanoma doubles, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, according to Mayo Clinic. Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are linked to certain behaviors that put people outside in the sun, and melanoma is associated with previous sunburns, intermittent sun exposure, and sun damage to the skin, according to the American Cancer Society.
99%
Early detection of skin cancer gives a patient the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment. When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer warning signs include changes in the size, shape, or color of a mole, or spots on skin that are different from others, itching, or bleeding. The AAD recommends everyone perform regular skin self-exams to check for signs of skin cancer.