John Elflein
Research expert covering health and health care
Skin cancer - Statistics & Facts
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. BCC and SCC are the most common types of skin cancer, but also the least likely to spread, and therefore the least deadly. Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, is responsible for thousands of deaths in the United States every year. It is estimated that in 2024, there will be around 59,170 new melanoma cases among men and 41,470 among women in the United States.
Who is most at risk for skin cancer?
Some people are more susceptible to skin cancer than others, with skin color, gender, age, and geography all contributing to risk. Men, for example, are diagnosed with skin cancer at a much higher rate than women. Furthermore, people with lighter skin are at greater risk of sun damage and therefore skin cancer. In 2020, non-Hispanic whites were diagnosed with melanoma at a rate of 27.7 per 100,000 people, while the rate for non-Hispanic Blacks was just 1.6 per 100,000 population.Prevention and survival
Skin cancer can be prevented through several easy measures including regular self-checking, periodic appointments with a dermatologist, using sunscreen, and avoiding tanning and UV tanning beds. However, the easiest and simplest way to avoid skin cancer is by staying protected from the sun by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, or seeking shade. Nevertheless, around 28 percent of U.S. adults report rarely or never using sunscreen on their face, while 34 percent rarely or never use it on their body. If detected early enough and proper treatment is implemented, the survival rate for skin cancer is high. From 2013 to 2019, the five-year survival rate in the U.S. for melanoma was 94 percent. However, despite this high rate of survival it is predicted that there will still be almost 8,300 deaths from melanoma in 2024.
