Skin Cancer Facts

Knowing skin cancer facts and understanding the risk factors for developing any type of skin cancer, including melanoma, is an important part of prevention and early detection. With increasing rates of all types of skin cancers around the world, increased awareness and public education are seen as key factors to combating this negative trend.

It is estimated by the World Health Organization that there will be approximately 2 to 3 million cases of skin cancers that are not classified as melanoma diagnosed worldwide each year. In addition there will be another 132,000 cases of melanoma skin cancer, which is much more likely to result in death. The World Health Organization further estimates that for each 10 percent decrease in the ozone levels there will be an additional 300,000 nonmelanoma and 4,500 melanoma cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year.1

Fact 1: Most skin cancers are not life threatening

There are three major categories of skin cancer and they are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell are the most common forms of skin cancer, with more than 2 million cases diagnosed in the United States alone per year. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are slow growing and tend to very rarely become malignant and spread to other tissues and organs. Melanoma is the most serious and aggressive form of skin cancer and it can spread to other organs. In 2010 there were approximately 68,130 cases of melanoma diagnosed in the United States.2

Fact 2: Most forms of skin cancer can be prevented

Skin cancer, especially basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are predominantly caused by high levels of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This is most commonly in the form of sunlight and therefore is often found on areas of the body that are most often exposed to the sun. This includes the hands, arms, legs, back, head and neck. Wearing sunscreen, long sleeved shirts and pants and avoiding sun exposure in the hottest parts of the day can be instrumental in reducing risks.

Individuals with reported sunburns as children were also considered to be at higher risk for developing melanoma as they age. Multiple deep burns or intense sun exposure repeatedly, either through tanning outdoors or in tanning beds, is now regarded as a significant risk factor.

Exposure to specific types of chemicals, particularly the heavy metal arsenic, can also be a cause of skin cancer. This can be found in insecticides and some manufacturing processes. Wearing all required protective clothing and limiting any contact with heavy metals or other types of carcinogens is also seen as an essential preventative step.3

Fact 3: Melanoma rates differ between the sexes

The CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides information on the incidence and mortality from melanoma skin cancers. As of the information reported for 2007 men are much more likely to develop melanomas of the skin than women, with 33,041 men diagnosed compared to 25,053 women. In addition men were more likely to die from melanoma with women’s mortality at 2,955 for the same year and men’s numbers almost doubled at 5,506.4 The reasons for these dramatic differences is attributed to men’s exposure to insecticides in agricultural and manufacturing applications as well as long term sun exposure without the use of sunscreen or protective clothing.

Fact 4: Genetics count

There is a genetic component to the possibility of developing melanomas and nonmelanoma skin cancers. White skinned individuals are most at risk for developing skin cancers, particularly if they have fair or red hair, freckles, light colored eyes and a family history of skin cancers and melanoma.5  In turn people from colder climates away from the equator or those with darker skin tones are much less likely to develop melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancers.

FAMMM or familial multiple mole-melanoma, which includes a family history of melanoma combined with atypical moles or significant numbers of moles on the body i

s also considered a genetic factor that predisposes people to developing melanoma during their adult life.

Fact 5: Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in the world

In the United States alone 1 in 41 men and 1 in 61 women will develop melanoma in their life. This rate leads to a diagnosis of melanoma once every eight minutes and also a death directly related to melanoma in the same eight minutes of every day.