Posted on May 24, 2019
About Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It's estimated that one in five Americans will develop the disease in their lifetime. Since the best way to protect yourself from this outcome is through education and prevention, we're going to discuss seven shocking facts about skin cancer.
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More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by sun exposure. Non-melanoma skin cancer is caused by UV rays from the sun. Unsurprisingly, the more unprotected exposure you experience -- either from being outdoors or in a tanning salon-- the higher your chance of developing skin cancer.
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Each hour, one person dies from skin cancer. Skin cancer is often more easily treated than other forms of cancer, but that doesn't mean it isn't extremely dangerous. In the U.S. this year, around 2,800 people will die of non-melanoma skin cancer and 8,000 will die of melanoma.
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Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined. Among both men and women, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer.
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Skin cancer is most deadly for African Americans, Asians, and Latinos. Despite the risk factor being rather low for African Americans, Asians, and Latinos, skin cancer can be the most deadly for these groups.
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One in three Caucasians will be diagnosed with skin cancer sometime in their life. We mentioned that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. The risk is actually higher for Caucasians, at one in three.
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One bad burn in childhood doubles the risk factor for melanoma later in life. Early exposure in youth can make adulthood all the riskier. It's vital that parents protect their kids so they are well-guarded in the future.
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Men are diagnosed with skin cancer more often than women. The American Cancer Society has discovered that men are twice as likely to develop skin cancer compared to women.
If you want to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer, you must be vigilant and careful. It's wise to visit a dermatologist or dermatology clinic if you notice any irregularities or changes in your skin's appearance or texture; if you're covered in freckles or moles, you should be visiting a dermatologist twice a year to get them checked out.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Katy Matthews or Dr. Anna Wile at Center for Dermatology, call 601.693.1044.