1. Skin Cancer Facts
  2. General

General

  • Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.
    • The two most common skin cancers (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas) are highly curable, but can be disfiguring and costly.
    • Melanoma (the third most common skin cancer) may be deadly.
  • General risk factors include:
    • Light skin, or skin that burns, freckles, or reddens easily
    • Large number of moles
    • Blue or green eyes
    • Blond or red hair
    • Personal or family history of skin cancer
    • Sun exposure
    • History of sunburns, especially in early life
    • History of indoor tanning
      • the average tanning bed gives of 2 to 10 times more UVA radiation than the sun
      • using tanning beds before the age of 35 increases a person's risk for developing melanoma by 75%
  • The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and can be prevented with sun safety practices:
    • Seeking shade
    • Wearing:
      • Sunscreen
        • Broad spectrum UVA and UVB, SPF 30 or higher
        • Reapplication is necessary every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
        • Protective clothing
          • Long sleeves/pants that are kept dry and darker colors are best.
          • A hat
            • Wide-brimmed hats are best.
            • Sunglasses

 

Sources:

1. Skin Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm. Published 2014. Accessed July 11, 2016.

2. Hillhouse, J. 2007. "Keep the skin you were born in!"

3. Tanning. Skin Cancer Foundation. http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/tanning. Published 2016. Accessed February 14, 2017.