Skin cancer
Incidence rates
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.1,2
Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.3
It is estimated that approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.4,6
Research estimates that nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), affects more than 3 million Americans a year.4,7
It is estimated that the overall incidence of BCC increased by 145% between 1976-1984 and 2000-2010, and the overall incidence of SCC increased 263% over that same period.8
Women had a greater increase in incidence than men for both types of NMSC.8
More than 1 million Americans are living with melanoma.9
It is estimated that 197,700 new cases of melanoma, 97,920 noninvasive (in situ) and 99,780 invasive, will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2022.5,6
Invasive melanoma is projected to be the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer for both men (57,180 cases) and women (42,600 cases) in 2022.5,6
Melanoma rates in the United States have been rising rapidly over the past 30 years — doubling from 1982 to 2011 — but trends within the past decade vary by age.1,6
Melanoma incidence has begun to decline in adolescents and adults ages 30 and younger. By contrast, melanoma incidence increased among older age groups, with more pronounced increases in people ages 80 and older.10,11
After decades of increase, invasive melanoma incidence rates declined from 2005 to 2018 in individuals younger than age 50 by about 1% per year.5
Before age 50, rates are higher in women compared to men. After age 50, and in general, men have higher rates. White populations have higher rates compared other races. 5,6,12
The annual incidence rate of melanoma in non-Hispanic White people is over 33 per 100,000, compared 4.5 for Hispanic people and 1 per 100,000 in non-Hispanic Black people.13
Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color.
The incidence of skin cancer among non-Hispanic White individuals is almost 30 times higher than that among non-Hispanic Black or Asian/Pacific Islander individuals.5
Skin cancer in patients with darker skin tones is often diagnosed in its later stages, when it’s more difficult to treat.6,14
Research has shown that patients with darker skin tones are less likely than patients with lighter skin tones to survive melanoma.5,6,15
Twenty-one percent of melanoma cases in African American patients are diagnosed when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, while 16% are diagnosed when the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and other organs.6
People with darker skin tones are prone to skin cancer in areas that aren’t commonly exposed to the sun, like the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the groin and the inside of the mouth. They also may develop melanoma under their nails.14
Skin cancer rates are higher in women than in men before age 50, but are higher in men after age 50, which may be related to differences in recreation and work-related UV exposure.5
It is estimated that melanoma will affect 1 in 27 men and 1 in 40 women in their lifetime.5
Melanoma incidence is higher in females than in males in younger age groups, though incidence rates in younger age groups overall have shown declines in recent years.10,11
Survival rates
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common forms of skin cancer, are highly treatable if detected early and treated properly.5,16
The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 99%.5,6
The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to nearby lymph nodes is 68%. The five-year survival rate for melanoma that spreads to distant lymph nodes and other organs is 30%.5,6
Mortality rates
The vast majority of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma.5
Nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma every day. In 2022, it is estimated that 7,650 deaths will be attributed to melanoma — 5,080 men and 2,570 women.5,6
Research indicates that men with melanoma generally have lower survival rates than women with melanoma.17,18
Overall melanoma death rates drastically declined between 2014 and 2019 by nearly 4%.5
Risk factors
Excess exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or use of indoor tanning also increases risk for all skin cancer types, as does a personal history of the disease.5
The majority of melanoma cases are attributable to UV exposure. 19-21
Research suggests that regular sunscreen use may reduce risk of melanoma.21-23
Higher melanoma rates among men may be due in part to lower rates of sun protection.1
Sunburns during childhood or adolescence can increase the odds of developing melanoma later in life.25
Experiencing five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 increases one’s melanoma risk by 80% and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by 68%.26
Exposure to tanning beds increases the risk of melanoma, including early onset melanoma.27,28
Women younger than 30 are six times more likely to develop melanoma if they tan indoors.29
The younger a person is when they use tanning beds and the more annual use of indoor tanning they have increases their risk of the development of melanoma and NMSC.27
Risk factors for all types of skin cancer include skin that burns easily; blonde or red hair; a history of excessive sun exposure, including sunburns; tanning bed use; a weakened immune system; and a history of skin cancer.5
People with more than 50 moles, atypical moles or large moles are at an increased risk of developing melanoma, as are those as are sun-sensitive individuals (e.g., those who sunburn easily, or have natural blonde or red hair) and those with a personal or family history of melanoma.5
Melanoma survivors have an approximately eight-fold increased risk of developing another melanoma compared to the general population.30
Men and women with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than people without a nonmelanoma skin cancer history.31,32
White individuals who have had more than one melanoma have an increased risk of developing both subsequent melanomas and other cancers, including those of the breast, prostate, and thyroid.33
Prevention and detection
Because exposure to UV light is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, the American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to stay out of indoor tanning beds and protect their skin outdoors by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing — including a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection — and applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing.19-21
For more effective sun protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.
Because severe sunburns during childhood and adolescence may increase one’s risk of melanoma, children should be especially protected from the sun.5
Skin cancer warning signs include changes in size, shape, or color of a mole or other skin lesion, the appearance of a new growth on the skin, or a sore that doesn't heal. If you notice any spots on your skin that are different from the others, or anything changing, itching or bleeding, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist.
The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to perform regular skin self-exams to check for signs of skin cancer.
About half of melanomas are self-detected.34-38
Regular skin self-exams are important for people who are at higher risk of skin cancer, such as people with a personal and/or family history of skin cancer.39
A dermatologist can make individual recommendations as to how often a person needs a skin exam from a doctor based on individual risk factors, including skin type, history of sun exposure and family history.
Cost
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.2
This represents an increase over the period from 2002 to 2006, when about 3.4 million adults were treated for skin cancer each year, for an annual average treatment cost of $3.6 billion.2
The annual cost of treating nonmelanoma skin cancer in the U.S. is estimated at $4.8 billion, while the average annual cost of treating melanoma is estimated at $3.3 billion.2
Researchers estimate that there were nearly 34,000 U.S. emergency department visits related to sunburn in 2013, for an estimated total cost of $11.2 million.40
Related AAD resources
1 Guy GP, Thomas CC, Thompson T, Watson M, Massetti GM, Richardson LC. Vital signs: Melanoma incidence and mortality trends and projections—United States, 1982–2030. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(21):591-596.
2 Guy GP, Machlin S, Ekwueme DU, Yabroff KR. Prevalence and costs of skin cancer treatment in the US, 2002–2006 and 2007–2011. Am J Prev Med. 2015;48:183–7.
3 Stern RS. Prevalence of a history of skin cancer in 2007: results of an incidence-based model. Arch Dermatol. 2010 Mar;146(3):279-82.
4 Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Feldman SR, Coldiron BM. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer (keratinocyte carcinomas) in the US population. JAMA Dermatol. Published online April 30, 2015.
5 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2022. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2022.
6 Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2022. CA Cancer J Clin. 2022;72(1):7-33. doi:10.3322/caac.21708.
7 American Academy of Dermatology/Milliman. Burden of Skin Disease. 2017. www.aad.org/BSD.
8 Muzic, JG et al. Incidence and Trends of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study in Olmstead County, Minnesota, 2000-2010. Mayo Clin Proc. Published Online May 15, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.02.015
9 SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Melanoma of the Skin. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/melan.html.
10 Thrift AP, Gudenkauf FJ. Melanoma incidence among non-Hispanic whites in all 50 US states from 2001 through 2015. J Natl Cancer Inst 2019 doi:10.1093/jnci/djz153.
11 Paulson KG, Gupta D, Kim TS. Age-Specific Incidence of Melanoma in the United States. JAMA Dermatol 2020;156(1):57-64. doi:10.1001jamadermatol.2019.3353.
12 American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Melanoma Skin Cancer. Accessed April 18, 2022.
13 SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics; Recent Trends in SEER Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates, 2000-2019. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute. Accessed April 18, 2022. Available from https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/.
14 Agbai ON, Buster K, Sanchez M, Hernandez C, Kundu RV, Chiu M, Roberts WE, Draelos ZD, Bhushan R, Taylor SC, Lim HW. Skin cancer and photoprotection in people of color: a review and recommendations for physicians and the public. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70(4):748-62.
15 Dawes SM et al. Racial disparities in melanoma survival. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 Nov; 75(5):983-991.
16 American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers. Accessed April 18, 2022.
17 SEER*Explorer: An interactive website for SEER cancer statistics; Melanoma of the Skin Recent Trends in U.S. Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates, 2000-2019. Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute. Accessed April 14, 2022. Available from https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/.
18 Sharouni MA, Witkamp AJ, Sigurdsson V, van Diest PJ, Louwman MWJ, Kukutsch NA. Sex matters: men with melanoma have a worse prognosis than women. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2019 doi:10.1111/jdv.15760.
19 Arnold M, Kvaskoff M, Thuret A, Guenel P, Bray F and Soerjomatarm I. Cutaneous melanoma in France in 2015 attributable to solar ultraviolet radiation and the use of sunbeds. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Published online April 16, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15022.
20 Arnold M et al. Global burden of cutaneous melanoma attributable to ultraviolet radiation in 2012. Int J Cancer. 2018 April. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.31527.
21 Islami F, Sauer AG, Miller KD, et al. Cutaneous melanomas attributable to ultraviolet radiation exposure by state. Int J Cancer. 2020;147(5):1385-1390. doi:10.1002/ijc.32921.
22 Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM. Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up J Clin Oncol Jan 20, 2011:257-263; published online on December 6, 2010.
23 Watts CG, Drummond M, Goumas C, et al. Sunscreen Use and Melanoma Risk Among Young Australian Adults. JAMA Dermatol. Published online July 18, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.1774.
24 Sander M, Sander M, Burbidge T, Beecker J. The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer. CMAJ. 2020;192(50):E1802-E1808. doi:10.1503/cmaj.201085.
25 Dennis, Leslie K. et al. Sunburns and Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma, Does Age Matter: A Comprehensive MetaAnalysis.Annals of epidemiology 18.8 (2008): 614–627.
26 Wu S, Han J, Laden F, Qureshi AA. Long-term ultraviolet flux, other potential risk factors, and skin cancer risk: a cohort study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomar Prev; 2014. 23(6); 1080-1089.
27 An S, Kim K, Moon S, et al. Indoor Tanning and the Risk of Overall and Early-Onset Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel). 2021;13(23):5940. Published 2021 Nov 25. doi:10.3390/cancers13235940.
28 Colantonio S, Bracken MB, Beecker J. The association of indoor tanning and melanoma in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014;70:847–57.
29 Lazovich D, Isaksson Vogel R, Weinstock MA, Nelson HH, Ahmed RL, Berwick M. Association Between Indoor Tanning and Melanoma in Younger Men and Women. JAMA Dermatol. 2016;152(3):268-275. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.2938.
30 Beroukhim K, Pourang A, Eisen DB. Risk of second primary cutaneous and noncutaneous melanoma after cutaneous melanoma diagnosis: A population-based study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(3):683-689. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.10.024.
31 Work Group; Invited Reviewers, Kim JYS, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of basal cell carcinoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(3):540-559. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.10.006.
32 Work Group; Invited Reviewers, Kim JYS, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(3):560-578. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.10.007.
33 Cai ED, Swetter SM and Sarin KY. Association of multiple primary melanomas with malignancy risk: a population-based analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database from 1973-2014. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Published online Oct. 1, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.09.027
34 Avilés-Izquierdo JA, Molina-López I, Rodríguez-Lomba E, Marquez-Rodas I, Suarez-Fernandez R, Lazaro-Ochaita P. Who detects melanoma? Impact of detection patterns on characteristics and prognosis of patients with melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016; 75(5):967-974.
35 Cheng MY, Moreau JF, McGuire ST, Ho J, Ferris LK. Melanoma depth in patients with an established dermatologist. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2014; 70(5):841-846.
36 Brady MS, Oliveria SA, Christos PJ, et al. Patterns of detection in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Cancer. 2000;89:342-347.
37 Epstein DS, Lange JR, Gruber SB, et al. Is Physician Detection Associated With Thinner Melanomas? JAMA. 1999;281(7):640-643.
38 Koh HK, Miller DR, Geller AC, et al. Who discovers melanoma? Patterns from a population-based survey. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1992;26:914-919.
39 American Cancer Society. How to Do a Skin Self-Exam. Accessed April 19, 2022.
40 Guy GP, Berkowitz Z and Watson M. Estimated Cost of Sunburn-Associated Visits to US Hospital Emergency Departments. JAMA Dermatology 2017.153 (1): 90-92.
Last updated: 4/22/22
