We want everyone to take the time to become better educated about what we can all do to prevent skin cancer. Our mission is to help the communities we serve become more familiar with the importance of early detection and the critical role you can play in spotting skin cancer and spreading the word. And, remember, when caught early skin cancer is one of the easiest cancers to cure.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
About 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.
Ranking
Most common cause of skin cancer
Discovery
Usually discovered in areas exposed to the sun
Rarely spreads, very rarely fatal
Who
Anyone – people who are at highest risk have fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue, green, or grey eyes
Ranking
Second most common skin cancer
Discovery
Sometimes spreads to other parts of the body, but almost all cases are curable
Who
Rarely appears before age 50
Majority of skin cancers in African-Americans are squamous cell
Ranking
Accounts for less than 2% of skin cancer cases
Discovery
Melanoma may develop as a new mole or in a preexisting mole
Causes the vast majority of skin cancer deaths
Who
One of the most common cancers in people younger than 30
Sun Safety
Are you being skin smart? Sunburns may seem like an everyday annoyance, but they can be truly harmful to your skin, making you more susceptible to skin cancer and aging your appearance. It’s a smart idea to avoid being in the sun for extended periods of time or during the peak hours of 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and to always use a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30.
Watch this video to see people discover what they look like under ultraviolet light. You will come to appreciate the startling power of sunscreen!
